580 
OUROOMIA. 
ance; but when we turn our eyes to its peace establishment, 
we find it surrounded by the most extensive and luxuriant gar¬ 
dens, producing almost every European fruit, as well as Asiatic, 
in the greatest plenty. Nothing could exceed the beauty and 
variety of their hues, but the deliciousness of their flavours, 
and the real refreshment they give to the thirsty and feverish 
traveller. 
The government of Ouroomia comprises ten districts, and 
they contain about 700 villages. It forms part of the general 
territory within the division, or great province of Azerbijan. 
Hence its plains are at the immediate command of Abbas Mirza; 
and there I had great satisfaction in observing the progress of 
his European military dispositions in Captain Hart’s camp; and 
making it my place of sojourn, I had ample means of observa¬ 
tion. I found it in as fine order as any I had ever seen amongst 
the best disciplined armies in Europe. The battalions too, did 
him the greatest honour, not only on account of their general 
soldierly appearance, but for their steadiness under arms, and 
consequent precision in going through their manoeuvres. These 
regiments are composed of Afshars, a fine race of men, active, 
brave, and, (as it has proved when properly managed,) docile 
and retentive. I made a sketch of their uniform, which, though 
a mixture of Asiatic and European, has a soldier-like appear¬ 
ance, and is particularly well calculated for facility of motion. 
Tt is only since the accession of the present Shah, that modern 
Persia has been able to boast any thing like a system of regular 
organization in any part of her army. The two Shirleys, in the 
time of Shah Abbas, attempted such a project; and by their 
means the use ol fire-arms, and the powerful effects of cannon, 
became known through the country; but the jealousy of the 
