MAGNIFICENCE OF ISPAHAN. 
407 
pographically and centrically with regard to the empire, is 
admirably adapted for that of a royal capital. The noble river 
Zeinderood flows through it, the climate is salubrious, and the 
country around capable of the most prolific cultivation. Indeed 
we find in almost all accounts of Persia, that Ispahan, 
from the first of its being named, is noted as a city of con¬ 
sequence ; but it was reserved for the renowned Shah Abbas 
to raise it to its supreme height of royal magnificence, and to 
render Ispahan the great emporium of the Asiatic world. During 
his reign nearly a million of people animated its busy streets, and 
the equally flourishing peasantry of more than fourteen hundred 
villages in its neighbourhood, supplied by their labour the markets 
of this abundant population. Its bazars were filled with merchan¬ 
dise from every quarter of the globe, mingled with the rich bales 
of its own celebrated manufactories. Industry, diligence, activity, 
and business-like negociations, were seen and heard every where. 
The caravansaries were crowded with merchants, and goods of 
Europe and of Asia ; while the court of the great Shah was 
the resort of ambassadors from the proudest kingdoms, not 
only of the East, but of the West. Travellers thronged thither 
to behold its splendours, and to enjoy the gracious reception 
bestowed by its monarch on the learned and ingenious of all 
lands and religions. The renown of his camps attracted brave 
volunteers from many a Christian country ; and even the chivalry 
of our own land, knights sworn to arms by our royal Elizabeth 
herself, sought accessions of honours in the pavilions of Shah 
Abbas. Magnificence to strangers, and munificence to his 
subjects, seem to have been the leading characteristics of this 
extraordinary prince. A devotee in his own faith, he was 
tolerant to all others. His holy ancestry made him a saint, his 
