104 
LOOTIES. 
father, saying, a man child is born unto thee, making him very glad.'' 
When it is recollected that there are no rejoicings on the birth of the 
daughter, but that on the contrary every one is as backward to inform 
the father of it, as they were forward on the birth of the son, the whole 
force of that passage will be felt; and it will appear they were informed 
of the event by men, as they are at the present day. 
No sooner was the birth of the Ambassador’s child known at Shiraz, 
than compliments of congratulation, attended by fruit, sweetmeats, and 
brocades, poured in from every quarter. The Prince’s mother was 
preeminent in her attentions. She did not cease to make fine speeches ; 
and invested the man who brought her the news with a Kalaat. The 
next morning, she sent Aga Besheer, her head eunuch, attended by a 
numerous suite from the Harem, to make her formal congratulations, 
and to present a dress of honour to the babe, that consisted of a little 
square bed of down, covered with cloth of gold, a quilt of Cashmire 
shawl, a small cap, a pair of brocade drawers stiff as tin-plate, a barounee 
or great coat, and a pair of shawl stockings. 
Whoever could devise the smallest pretext for extracting a present 
from the Ambassador, did not fail to present himself on this occasion. 
Among others, came the booties or buffoons, headed by a chief: these 
may in some manner be assimilated to our bands of marrow-bones and 
cleavers. They attend at merry-makings and public festivals, and in 
the style and manner of their wit, disregard all delicacy. 
The Princes, Governors of provinces, &c. as well as the King, have 
a bantl of these fellows in their pay, and they are looked upon as a ne¬ 
cessary part of Persian state. They are composed of the most profligate 
of men, and can only advance in their profession by superior ribaldry. 
Some of them are endowed with great natural wit, which was the case with 
the Looti Bashee or chief Looti, who attended the Ambassador on this 
occasion; for it is said, that sometime ago he entered the lists before the 
Prince with the ex-Looti Bashee, and so surpassed him in humour and 
ingenuity, that he was instantly promoted to his present situation. His 
dress, when he came to the Ambassador, was composed of a felt hat, the 
crown of which was made like ours, but with two long ears projecting 
