FIFTH BAS-RELIEF. 
549 
art, that in most respects enviable habit, made it here false to 
the portrait it was to copy. In my attempt towards making 
these sketches present a just picture of their originals, I have, as 
faithfully as lay in my power, transmitted every defect, as well as 
beauty; not omitting any thing of the contradictions between' 
knowledge and ignorance, in the arts of design and execution, 
which are so eminently mingled in these specimens of the 
middle age of Persian genius in sculpture. 
The subject of this fifth bas-relief is two men on horseback, 
meeting each other; the one bestowing, the other receiving, a 
circlet, the badge of sovereignty. The figure on our right, as 
we stand looking at it, wears a mural crown, the centre being 
filled with a low semicircular caul. One long ribband hangs from 
it in regular creases all the way down. Plis hair flows in ample 
and easy curls upon his shoulders. His beard long and rather 
waving, but cut square at the extremity. A robe divides on his 
breast, where it is attached by a large button, and then stiffly 
projects outwards. A sort of surcoat reaches midway to his 
knee, where it meets a long loose trowser. The toe just appears 
from beneath it, accompanied by two floating bands. His right 
arm is advanced over the neck of his horse, holding in his hand 
a circlet, from which pends a broad ribband. He seems in the 
act of presenting it to the opposite horseman, whose right arm 
and hand are held out to receive it. The left hand of the figure 
I am first describing, grasps a short club-like staff by the narrow 
extremity. The part of the bridle of his horse, which covers the 
animal’s head, is thickly studded with round plain knobs ; and 
large circular plates adorn the strap round his chest and buttock. 
A muzzle passes from between the nostrils to the place where we 
attach a curb-chain. The right foot, which is raised, touches 
