244 
ABBAS MIRZA. 
But so many ages, and changes of people, have passed over tins 
very land, since the times of the elder Cyrus, that no trace can 
now be found of the general system of laws and consequent 
education, which Xenophon eulogizes and describes with so 
much accuracy and eloquence in his Cyropedia. Yet, when we 
reflect how little of it remained, even at the period when he 
traversed the same country in the ever-memorable retreat of the 
Ten Thousand; an event which took place hardly more than a 
century after all these institutions were in their full vigour, can 
we be surprised, that none exist after a lapse of two thousand 
years ! What foundations, the remainder of this century may 
lay down for the restoration of some part of the old Persian 
name, are scarcely to be guessed at; but the character of the 
present heir apparent, Abbas Mirza, has so much of the ancient 
principles of truth, simplicity, and general interest for his coun¬ 
try, in its composition, that we may be allowed some hope for 
the once-revered empire of Cyrus. I had not these accounts from 
Persians alone, certain partialities might have influenced them 
to colour the picture ; but I received the same testimony from 
my own countrymen, residing at his court; and before I came 
to the country, the reputation of his truly princely qualities had 
reached the great capital of the north. 
His Royal Highness was at Ivoiy, one of the finest cities of 
his province, at the time of my arrival at Tabreez ; and I was 
not a little impatient for the expiration of the brief season, he 
usually passes there in hawking and hunting. Game of all 
sorts abounds in the neighbourhood ; but the prince has other 
inducements to prolong his stay in a city which shares with 
Tabreez his views of general improvement. It is more plea¬ 
santly situated than that capital; possesses more natural beau- 
