364 
CONCLUSION. 
cool assent; always endeavouring to lessen my ardour by saying, 
“ what is the use of such country, if it be without order ?” And they 
considered almost as a gross national insult any comparison between 
the arid unshaded mountains of Persia, and the splendid foliage and 
rich vegetation of the Turkish dominions. As, however, they were 
very keenly alive to the beauties of nature, and enjoyed much the 
shade of trees and the refreshing sound of running water; and as such 
spots recurred constantly during the course of our journey, they could 
not restrain their expressions of delight, though they always added at 
the same time, “ What a pity this charming country is in the hands 
“ of these people! If we had it, (and God grant we shall) what a 
“ paradise it would be.” 
I frequently visited the Mirza Abul Hass an at Scutari. The 
•windows of his apartment had a fine view of the great extent of Con¬ 
stantinople , the Seraglio point, the shipping in the harbour, the palaces 
of Dolma Baghehe , and part of the Sultan’s fleet, (consisting of two 
three-deckers and five seventy-fours, at their anchorage) and all the 
activity spread over the Bosphorus by the numerous vessels of all 
descriptions rowing about in every direction, altogether forming the 
most beautiful picture that an imagination the most fertile could picture 
to itself; and contrasted in the strongest manner with the misery, 
dulness, and sterility of Teheran and its surrounding scenery. When¬ 
ever I called his attention to it, he seemed to shrink from the observa¬ 
tion ; and if I talked of the Turkish fleet, he said, “ who can look at 
“ any ships, after he has seen English ships T Indeed, he was so 
little disposed to compliment the Turks, that when the Cairn akan, 
being desirous to inspire him with a grand idea of the naval force of 
the Sultan, sent a Turkish officer to conduct him near the fleet, the 
Persian replied, “ I have seen English ships much finer than any 
“ thing that you can show me.” 
Yet in cases where no national jealousy intervened, whenever 
hospitality and kindness were shewn the Persian, I must do him the 
