PERSIAN MANNERS UNDER FUTTEH ALI SHAH. 351 
line of her nymphs, raising, in rotation, the veil of each, till he 
makes his choice; when the old hag dispatches the pair together, 
attended by a trusty domestic, to a lodging in her house, which 
usually stands close by the way side.” 
Having thus given a sketch of the passed manners of Persia, 
to enable my reader to understand something of the improve¬ 
ment which has taken place during the last half-century, I 
gladly follow the good example of the present princes, and 
dismiss this part of the subject from my pen. 
Though the reigning monarch has never been celebrated for 
that activity of character, which demonstrates itself in ambitious 
projects, or attachment to the pleasures of the chase, yet he 
manifests on every occasion, that promptitude in the dispatch 
of public business, and watchfulness in maintaining the laws he 
has enacted for the security of the persons and properties of his 
people, which bear every testimony to the soundness of his 
judgment on the duties of a king; at least as far as the light on 
that subject, has developed itself here; while his encouragement 
of Persian literature, and his taste for poetry and the arts, show 
him to be a scholar, and a man of genius. And, that his views 
are liberally directed towards the improvement of his people in 
every useful acquirement, is made still more evident, by the 
many Persians he has sent into Europe, to study the arts and 
sciences most wanted in their own country. These men gene¬ 
rally conduct themselves well when abroad, and the quickness 
of their intellects soon making them masters of their objects, 
they return to their home in the prime of their lives, doubly 
endowed for their country j bringing back not merely the learn¬ 
ing and practice for which they were sent out, but certain seeds 
of moral, mental, and national improvements; which, becoming 
