132 
VISIT TO *THE AMBASSADOR. 
be loaded with effects in precious stones, and other articles > of great 
value, which on the subsequent destruction of that prince he appro¬ 
priated to himself. This would make a good episode in an Arabian 
night’s tale; and at any rate it may be said, that by these or some 
other means he .made presents to Meerza Shefea, then the Prime Mi¬ 
nister, for the sake of being permitted to stand in ? his presence. 
There cannot be a stronger instance than he is, of the few qualifications, 
either of birth or learning, that are necessary, to become a statesman 
in Persia. He is as illiterate as a green-grocer may well be supposed. 
Since his elevation, necessity has obliged him to learn how to read 
and write; but he has succeeded so ill, that he can scarcely make out 
a common note, or join two words together in writing. That “ a little 
learning is a dangerous thing,” was never better applied than to him: 
for once, at an audience of the King, being called upon to read a list of 
presents just received, he made so great a mistake, that His Majesty 
grew wroth, and was about to inflict summary punishment, when he got 
out of the dilemma by offering on the spot a large sum of money, as an 
apology for his ignorance. Sancho managed these things better. 
But in his particular department, that of raising money to feed the 
King’s coffers, perhaps no man in Persia has ever surpassed him ; and 
with all this, we found the people of Ispahan, from whom the greater 
part of the riches are derived, in general very well-disposed towards him. 
He takes a pride in the improvement of the city and its environs, 
and his success is evident to my eye since I was here last. The public 
buildings have been repaired and beautified, new avenues have been 
planted, the cultivation has considerably increased, and there is a more 
general appearance of affluence and prosperity. 
On the evening of the day of our arrival, the Ameen-ad-Dowlah 
paid the Ambassador a visit of ceremony. The Ambassador was 
seated in a corner of the apartment, and arose when the other entered, 
without advancing from his place. This is the etiquette between 
persons of equal rank. One of a little less rank would have received 
him at the door of the room, and of a still inferior rank at the door of 
the house, vHe was attended by our friend Mirza Abul Hassan Khan, 
