356 
PORTRAITURE OF THE SHAH. 
the representatives of sovereign princes, are allowed the royal 
distinction of being seated in the presence of the Great King. 
As I traced His Majesty’s features, line by line, I ascertained 
every detail of his physiognomy, and felt new interest in the 
varieties of its expression. His complexion, as I observed be¬ 
fore, is exceedingly pale ; but when he speaks on subjects that 
excite him, a vivid colour rushes to his cheek; but only for a 
moment, it passes so transiently away. His nose is very aqui¬ 
line. His eye-brows, full, black, and finely arched; with lashes 
of the same appearance, shading eyes of the most perfect form, 
dark and beaming; but at times, full of a fire that kindles his 
whole countenance ; though, in general, its expression is that of 
languor. His beard, black as jet, ample and long, and tapering 
to a point considerably below the hilt of his dagger. The almost 
sublime dignity, which this form of beard, adds to the native 
majesty of his features, is not to be conceived; and the smile 
which often shone through it, ineffably sweet and noble, rather 
increased than diminished the effect. The British Charge d’Af¬ 
faires, with Abul Hassan Khan, were my companions to the 
presence ; and, the Shah conversing with them during my oc¬ 
cupation, the changes of the subjects gave his fine physiognomy 
every play. Yet the enervating style of his life, was evident, 
both in the languid movement of his eye, when he sat quiescent; 
and from the usual hollow tone, of his otherwise sonorous voice; 
but which, like the occasional flashes from his eyes, became 
powerful when under the influence of animating discourse. 
When my little sketch was made, I put it into the hands 
of Abul Hassan Khan, who presented it on his knees to the 
Shah. His Majesty declared himself highly pleased; and, if 
the rhetoric of his country were in the compliments he paid me, 
