ORDER OF THE LION AND SUN. 
523 
in my hand, as a present of gratitude, a finished drawing from 
the sketch I had made of his august person during my first 
sojourn at Teheran ; and which completed copy, when I shewed 
it to Abbas Mirza at Tabreez, had so highly pleased him, that 
he declared it the most acceptable present I could devise for his 
royal father. I therefore presented it now ; and the king re¬ 
ceived it with every demonstration of satisfaction I could have 
wished. In the course of the different subjects on which he did 
me the honour to speak, the questions he asked, and the remarks 
he made on the antiquarian and various objects of my past and 
yet projected tour, were full of acuteness. My present stay at 
his court could not be long; but his graciousness did not lose 
any time in sending to me, by the hands of his first minister, 
several distinguished presents; besides conferring on me the 
order of the Lion and Sun, “ as a particular mark of his per¬ 
sonal favour and esteem.” Thus enrolled in the same ancient 
chivalry which had constituted my countrymen the Shirleys, 
faithful knights to both lion and sun ; one, the badge of Old 
England; the other, that of the land of Cyrus! could I fail to 
recollect the words of Shah Abbas, at the time he invested the 
British brothers with a similar dignity ? The pith of the whole 
speech was admirable; and though spoken nearly 200 years ago, 
may be worthy of consideration now. * 
As the month of June advanced, the heat became so into¬ 
lerable in the capital, the Shah commenced his preparations for 
removing (as is usual at this season) to the more temperate 
climate of Sultania or Oujon. Sixty thousand persons, at least, 
form his train; to which are added all the diplomatic residents 
* It may be found, with much useful matter besides, in Jonas Han way’s account 
of Persia. 
3 x 2 
