PERSIAN FRUIT. 
57 
ciliated to subvert belief in the common faith, the prevalence of 
such opinions cannot but be regarded by the rationally-thinking 
part of the empire, as little better than a gradual advance to 
general infidelity. The government, it has been said, see it in 
this view, and, consequently, a very discouraging eye is cast 
upon all its avowed professors. 
The conversations in which many of these remarks were made, 
took place, sometimes in the apartment of our friend the Hadge, 
and oftener in our own; where the good gifts of Pomona also were 
poured upon us in daily abundance, not only by himself, but in 
extra presents from his and our own hospitable visitants. The 
variegated floors of our rooms were nearly covered with heaps of 
the finest apples, pears, and every sort of melons; besides the 
most beautiful grapes I ever beheld; all piled up in high py¬ 
ramids, and glowing with the rich colours and various bloom of 
fruit, whose delicious freshness was more grateful to the eye, 
than a palace’s most usual gorgeous furniture. The fragrance and 
beauty of flowers mingled with nature’s sweet banquet round 
us ; but when we partook of its luxuries, our European palates 
found most of them too luscious for our colder tastes; the 
grapes, in particular, though possessing many different flavours, 
were invariably too cloying for refreshment. The fruit of high¬ 
est zest, is a small red plum, in shape like our green-gage, with 
something of the same taste, but much more exquisite; and this 
was our favourite dessert. At this time of the year, the country 
around Ispahan teems with fruit of every description, allowing the 
lower orders to purchase a load of the common sort for a few pieces 
of copper money. In consequence of this plenty, and the fondness 
of the people for so light and cooling a food, it is rather devoured 
than eaten, and in such immoderate quantities, that the effects 
VOL. II. i 
« 
