TEHERAN. 
218 
bows as before, and took off our slippers at the same place; but water 
had been thrown on the ground, and this last ceremony was therefore 
very disagreeably contrasted with our former introduction; for instead 
of the fine gold-wrought carpet in the King's room, we were now 
reduced to stand on a wet brick pavement by the side of a basin of 
water. His Majesty having first inquired after the Envoy's health, 
and made some preliminary compliments, reverted to the official note 
which had been communicated to him that morning by his Ministers. 
After a short explanation, the King proceeded; and seating himself 
erect on his throne, in a convenient talking position, talked without 
intermission for a considerable time with much animation and action. 
We then returned to the room which we had first entered in the 
morning. 
The Prime Minister sat down close to the window to return an 
answer to the Envoy's official communication. Several servants, who 
were at the window, read this note, word by word as it was written; 
so that the original and the answer were equally well known to the 
public. The Mirza repeated to us his letter, and then sending the at¬ 
tendants away, desired to have some conversation with us. The dis¬ 
cussion was unsatisfactory, and we returned. 
In these circumstances the decision of the Envoy's character secured 
the object of his mission. The point was gained, and it was settled 
accordingly that he should see the King on the morrow. On the 
morrow accordingly, Mr. Bruce and I, dressed in our Jcalaats, attended 
him to the King. 
His Majesty was seated in the Koola built by Aga Mahomed 
Khan, in the Gulistan . He was on a chair, and dressed in a shawl 
coat. He was very gracious, told the Envoy that he had determined 
upon our alliance, promised that the French should be dismissed, and 
hoped that after the decision which he had thus made, His Brother 
of England would not dissent. 
The room was covered on all its sides with looking-glass; of this also. 
