336 
ROYAL GARDENS. 
presents a very magnificent appearance. The stateliness of the 
structure itself, is very much increased in effect, by the superb 
ranges of terraces, which connect its spacious gardens, as they 
diverge from the base of the building, downwards, towards 
the bottom of the hill. They are laid out in parallel walks, 
planted with luxuriant poplars, willows, and fruit-trees of various 
kinds, besides rose-trees in profusion. In the centre of these 
shady labyrinths, stands a kind of grotto or temple, which, from 
its construction, materials, and distribution of water, must, in 
summer, be delightful from its coolness and seclusion. Few of 
the flowers were in bud, when I first visited this charming spot; 
but the balmy season, advancing with singular rapidity in these 
higher tracts of Persia, soon covered every mountain’s brow with 
rich herbage, and filled the whole air with perfume from the full¬ 
blown gardens. The spring, at Teheran, is not only the pleasant¬ 
est of its seasons, but the most healthy; which I found by 
experience; while I was there, during the months of April and 
May, the thermometer of Reaumur never mounting to more than 
from 70 to 80 in the shade. In the short space of those few weeks, 
the whole country put on its fairest garb, looking enchantingly, 
and breathing sweets from every quarter; and how often did 
we then think of our poor friend, whose eyes we had so recently 
closed ; and wished, he could, have borne the last lingering 
severities of departing winter a little longer, to have inhaled new 
life in this balmy relenting of nature ! 
One of the delicious spots to which I paid the most frequent 
visits, after the commencement of the genial weather I speak of, 
was the garden of Negauristan, another palace of the King’s, in 
the same direction as the one just described, but only half a mile 
from the city. Its near neighbourhood, as well as superior 
