Herodotus observes, that one part of the ancient education of the Persian Youth was teaching them to speak the truth*. I am not aware that this Prince of Science is pretended now to be taught in any of the schools or Madressas in Persia: and therefore, if it be found that the MS. sometimes varies in the account it gives of a particular transaction from that received from other quarters, candour will suggest some allowance to be made for national vanity; and more for the very delicate ear of the principal person to whom the original was recited, and by whose command it was compiled.

Moreover, it must be confessed that the modern Persians amongst us Europeans have not a very high reputation for a strict regard to truth; and perhaps the charge made against them on this head, in some instances, may not be totally groundless: it will be well, however, before a decisive opinion is pronounced by us on this subject, to make allowance for the nature and idiom of their language, which is elevated, poetical, and periphrastic; and to bear in mind, that Truth and Poetry are frequently at

* Parents, in correcting the mean vice of lying, should be careful to distinguish the degree of crime incurred by a lie as to fact and a lie as to inaccurate description. Viz. A child leaves a candle burning in a room— -is accused of doing so, and denies it: this is a lie as to fact. Another comes into a room, and tells his parent, "I have seen a snake twenty yards long:" this may probably be a lie only as far as regards inaccurate description. We should treat the first as moral guilt, and the second as moral folly. A wise parent surely will not use the same means to correct both.

variance. If we examine closely, it will be found that the quantum of lying amongst any given number of nations, as compared with each other, does not vary so much as we are at first inclined to imagine. The main difference, generally speaking, is in the subject of the lie, and the purpose for which it is told: and I cannot think myself very rash in saying, that, where interest is concerned, I have often found Europeans as ready to deviate from the truth as Persians. Few circumstances can be imagined, in the common intercourses of life, in commerce, in diplomacy, in which I have not had communications with Persians; and I assert, from long expe

The colloquial language of Persia is more hyperbolical perhaps than any other. A Persian does not scruple using to one's face such expressions as these: "Your wisdom is greater than that of Aristotle;" "Your courage is superior to that of Alexander;" "The fame of your reputation and glory fills the whole world:" such are phrases of common parlance: and thus, by constantly using words to which he attaches no precise meaning, the Persian easily slides into lies of inaccurate description; and the transition from moral folly to moral guilt is, alas! but too easy: 66 Facilis descensus Averni." It is but fair, however, to add, that when these sort of compliments are paid, a Persian may be generally considered as practising that species of polite conversation which is known in Persia by the term Reeshcund, and in England by that of quizzing.

Many have witnessed, and laughed at, the droll scene in the Bourgeois Gentilhomme of Molière, Act. VI., without being aware how severe a slap that admirable comic writer has given therein to the colloquial idiom of the Turks. Clionte personates the son of the Grand Turk, and is made to address Monsieur Jourdain : "Abousahum oqui boraf Giourdina Islamelequi ;" which Covielle explains to be, "Monsieur Jourdain, votre cœur soit toute l'année comme un rosier fleuri;" and adds, "Ces sont façon de parler obligeantes

rience, that truer friends, or more honourable dealing men than the generality of their merchants, do not exist. The Persian diplomatists I have treated with did not, in their intercourse or transactions with me, go beyond what is considered allowable to such persons; and, as far as I have been concerned with them, that which has been once agreed on has been strictly acted up to and performed. When confidence is merited, it is generally obtained; and obligeantes de ce pays la." And, again, "Oustin salemelequi basam basa alla moram;" which, Covielle tells Jourdain, means, Que le ciel vous donne la force des lions et la prudence des serpens."

The lower class of Moollahs or Priests, who in Persia are generally extremely illiterate, and consequently vulgar and self-conceited, are famous for greedily swallowing this sort of flattery. The following anecdote, mentioned by Bernier, will shew, however, how such compliments are replied to by persons of judgment and spirit. Bernier was retained in the service of a Persian nobleman, named Danishmend Khan, at the court of Aurengzebe: and he relates, “Q'un Pendet ou docteur Gentil que j'avois fait mettre au service de mon Agah (i. e. Danishmend Khan) se voulut mêler en entrant de faire son panégyrique, et après l'avoir comparé aux plus grands conquérans, qui furent jamais, et lui avoit dit cents grossières et impertinentes flatteries, conclusit en fin sérieusement par celle-ci: Lorsque vous mettez le pied dans l'étrier, seigneur, et vous marchez à cheval avec votre cavalrie, la terre tremble sous vos pas; les huits éléfans qui la supportent sur leurs têtes ne pouvant soutenir ce grand effort.' Je ne puis me tenir de rire la-dessus, et je tachai de dire sérieusement à mon Agah, qui ne pouvoit s'en tenir, qu'il soit donc fort à propos qu'il ne montât à cheval que fort rarement pour empêcher les tremblemens de terre qui causent souvent de si grands malheurs. Aussi est-ce pour cela même me,' répondit-il, sans hésiter, que je me fais ordinairement porter en Paleky.'" Bernier, vol. ii. p. 46. Ed. Amster.

છે.

a Persian grants it in a manner equally creditable to the receiver and the giver: instances of which, it is presumed, will appear in the Notes to the translation of the MS. Knaves and fools are to be found in every part of the world:

66

Quæ regio in terris nostri non plena laboris."

I consider it the imperative duty of a translator neither to curtail nor to augment the text of the original which he undertakes to translate; and therefore, though the present version might, in the reader's opinion, be possibly benefitted by the pruning-knife, I have not considered myself at liberty to use it. The reader will be sure, if he finds it necessary, to exert his long-established and undoubted privilege of passing over such parts as appear to him dull and uninteresting; and I may, perhaps, have reason to be very thankful if he does not throw the whole down in disgust. If such, unfortunately, should be the case, it will be some consolation to reflect, that my partners in the work will be but little affected by the disgrace that has befallen me; that the report of the misfortune will not reach them; and that, as far as regards myself, though I have failed to amuse the reader and to merit his approbation, the employment of getting up the volumes has induced so many recollections of the past, always associated with feelings of gratitude, regard, and respect, towards several of the

persons mentioned in the MS. and the Notes, that it has been to me (whatever the produce of it may be to the reader) one of peculiar pleasure and interest. Those scenes in which we were engaged in early life, and which were agreeable to us at that time, (and mine in Persia, from a variety of circumstances, were peculiarly so to me,) the mind afterwards falls back on, with no common fondness; and at the close of life, few things are more cheering, than to recall to our thoughts the first impressions made on us by what we met with in youth, when visiting distant countries-the acquaintances we made; the friendships we formed there; the kindnesses we received; the mutual efforts made to amuse, to please and inform each other, and the joyous hours spent in the society of amiable and intelligent foreigners; and, in this instance, I may add, in a most luxurious climate, and amidst scenery where brilliancy and picturesque beauty increased the charm of novelty.

Reader, it is neither my wish nor my intention to detain you much longer, nor to dilate on so poor a subject as myself; but it seems fair to both parties, that I should lay before you some short account of the means I have had of becoming acquainted with Persia and its inhabitants, in order that you may the better appreciate the observations on them which I shall hereafter present to you. As a stranger