572 
TOPE KALA. 
the Topshi Bashi, who has planned, and is now superintending 
the whole. He welcomed me with the courtesy of his nation, 
and hastened to shew me the progress of all he was doing with 
a brave military satisfaction, mingled with a liberal and emulous 
discussion of them all, that bodes well for the real advantages 
of the establishment. This infant town and fortress have been 
begun about three months, and are proceeding with great spirit. 
The latter is to contain accommodation for 2600 men ; and the 
whole foundation to be carried forward according to European 
discipline. Indeed, from the enjoyment here of the hitherto 
unknown comforts to a Persian soldier, of order, cleanliness, 
and regulated militarjr subordination, (a subordination, there¬ 
fore, perfectly free from caprice in command, and consequent 
cruelty in exaction,) time must gradually make European 
tactics, and the practice of military order even dear to him. 
Besides, I venture to anticipate even a greater result; though 
to the usual demagogues of liberty, the idea of a manly appre¬ 
hension of freedom taking its rise from martial law, may appear 
perfectly heterodox; still, however, I presume to think there 
may be something natural in such a consequence. For instance, 
the absolute command under which a British soldier holds himself, 
(and it is the British system we find adopted here,) being that of 
a firm unchanging law, resting on certain fixed principles of duty 
from which, while he cannot swerve with impunity, neither can 
his officers go one line beyond it themselves without also incurring 
the same impartial judgment; this system must, finally, teach 
all these people, and those who look on, the usefulness of public 
order, and the individual safety of mutual justice. Besides, as 
the whole secret of military discipline rests on this unchanging 
law of positive command and obedience, carried forward by a 
