EDUCATION OF PERSIAN PRINCES. 
243 
to complete the whole — some self-important moollah, with his 
corrupted principles of religion and morality sealing up the 
already narrowed door of knowledge. Sanctions to tyranny, 
and privileges to vice, were inculcated as lessons from Heaven. 
And thus taught on every side, that a prince has no law but his 
own will, the unhappy victim of these vain, selfish, and ignorant 
deceits, being once called out into the world, was left to all the 
inevitable consequences of an arm that is against every man, and 
every man’s arm against him. 
The system, at present, is so totally different from the pre¬ 
ceding, that the young princes are permitted from the earliest 
ages, to see and hear all that passes without the palace, as well 
as within ; and by these means they acquire a familiar and useful 
knowledge of their country and the people, and an easy appli¬ 
cation of the various etiquettes of court, whether with relation 
to the great king their father, or in connection with his ministers 
of state. Meanwhile they have every requisite instructor: 
some, to explain the doctrines of their faith ; others, to inculcate 
the elements of the few sciences, which are still to be found in 
this part of the east; and, I regret to say, that astrology has yet 
too eminent a rank amongst them. Their lighter studies, and 
recreations, consist of writing, reading, and reciting passages 
from their favourite poets; to excel in the management of the 
horse, and in every other acquirement connected with war and 
the chase. When all this is achieved, and they are deemed of 
mature age, the government of different provinces are allotted to 
each, to exercise their talents, and strengthen the throne of their 
father. Thus far have the plans of royal education regenerated 
in a country, once celebrated as the very mould whence other 
countries would have wished to cast the fashion of their youth. 
1 i 2 
