TEHERAN. 
193 
scene is the Russian army drawn up in a hollow square, and firing 
their cannon and muskets without doing much apparent execution. 
Facing this great picture, is another of equal dimensions, which re¬ 
presents the Shah in the chase, having just pierced a deer with a 
javelin. In other parts are portraits of women, probably the King’s 
favourites, who are dancing according to the fashion of the country. 
On the 19th, the Envoy visited Mirza Sheffeea, the Prime 
Minister. He is an old man, of mild and easy manners, who dis¬ 
played more knowledge of general politics than any other person 
whom we met in Persia. This was our first impression, and his 
subsequent management of the negociation convinced us of its ac¬ 
curacy. He was sufficiently acquainted with all the different courts 
of Europe, and knew perfectly the name of every Minister employed 
either within the state or on foreign service; and was deeply versed 
in the particular interests of Persia. He had acquired something of 
geography, when the French Embassador and suite were his guests; 
the Persians in general, however, live in the profoundest ignorance of 
every other country. 
In the Minister’s assembly we met Mirza Reza, who had been sent 
Embassador to Buonaparte, and who entertained us with an account of 
Frangistoim, [Europe.] He expatiated with seeming ecstasy on every 
thing which he had seen; and Mirza Sheffeea, who probably had 
often heard his stories, said to Sir Harford Jones, “ I can believe many 
“ of the things which he has related to us, but one circumstance staggers 
“ me; he gives an account of an ass, which he saw at Vienna, with stripes 
“ on its back; that I shall not believe, unless you confirm it.” When 
Sir Harford told him that it was very true; that there were many 
such animals at the Cape of Good Hope , he was satisfied. The tra¬ 
veller proceeded to describe every part of the Continent: when he 
talked of the beauties of Vienna , and particularly when he mentioned 
that the streets were lighted up at night with globe lamps, one of the 
company (whose face during the different relations had exhibited 
signs of much astonishment, and sometimes doubt) stopped him, 
