ROSE-TREES IN PERSIA. 
337 
beauty, often attracts the Shah to walk to it from the ark, and 
to pass hours there, in the most delightful relaxation of mind 
from the cares or ceremonies of state. The general character 
of the garden, is like that of Tackt-i-Kajer, only the grand avenue 
up the centre of this, is much wider than that of the more 
distant residence, and is terminated at the higher extremity by 
a view of the palace ; while a Kooleh Frangy, or temple, appears 
here also between the spacious arcade of trees. Narrow secluded 
walks, shaded above, and enamelled with flowers below, with 
cuts of clear and sparkling water, silvering the ground, and 
cooling the air, vary the scene, from parts which the hand of 
neglect, (or taste, assuming graceful negligence,) has left in a state 
of romantic wilderness. The trees were all full grown, and lux¬ 
uriant in foliage; while their lofty stems, nearly covered by a 
rich underwood of roses, lilacs, and other fragrant and aromatic 
shrubs, formed the finest natural tapestry of leaves and flowers. 
On my first entering this bower of fairy-land, (indeed I may 
call it the very garden of Beauty and the Beast!) I was struck 
with the appearance of two rose-trees, full fourteen feet high, 
laden with thousands of flowers, in every degree of expansion, 
and of a bloom and delicacy of scent, that imbued the whole 
atmosphere with the most exquisite perfume. Indeed, I believe 
that in no country of the world does the rose grow in such per¬ 
fection as in Persia ; in no country is it so cultivated, and prized 
by the natives. Their gardens and courts are crowded with its 
plants, their rooms ornamented with vases, filled with its gathered 
bunches, and every bath strewed with the full-blown flowers, 
plucked from the ever-replenished stems. Even the humblest 
individual, who pays a piece of copper money for a few whifs of 
a kalioun? feels a double enjoyment when he finds it stuck with 
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