236 
MIRZA BEZOORK. 
the principal officers of the Prince-governor’s court, to inform me 
of his Royal Highness’s temporary absence ; and a few days 
afterwards, I had an opportunity of observing the manners of a 
great state dinner, to which I was invited by Mirza Bezoork the 
Kyme Makaum, or Prime Minister of the Prince. This really 
noble Persian, is a man of a spare habit, about fifty years of age, 
with a languid, but expressive countenance, bespeaking goodness 
and penetration, and when occasions call it, an energy in every 
feature, that testifies the activity of a minister, in every way wor¬ 
thy the trust devolved on him by his royal master. True national 
policy is yet an infant science in this empire. But Mirza Be¬ 
zoork is one instance of considerable maturity in the knowledge 
of government, of the power, happiness, and grandeur, which 
arise from its just administration. The most disinterested libe¬ 
rality with regard to his own personal advantage, and an expan¬ 
sion of view in the fulfilment of his office, proceeding from the 
distinguished cultivation , of his mind, make him a very superior 
person ; and above most of his compeers, valuable for his coun¬ 
sels to a prince, whose own dispositions seem so well inclined 
to lead, or to follow, every good purpose for his country. 
Myself and my countrymen assembled a little before sunset 
at the house of the Kyme Makaum. We were shown into an 
extensive saloon carpeted all over, and with the usual accompani¬ 
ments of nummuds, which are long and narrow pieces of a thicker 
and softer substance, made of wool or felt. On some of these 
sat several of the officers of state, who rose on our approach; 
and after the usual compliments, we took our station on the 
nummuds appointed for our accommodation, in the true Eastern 
style of sitting on the heels, or cross-legged, whichever way our 
stubborn limbs could easiest conform to the attitudes of the more 
