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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 303 During his travels he had been an attentive observer, and kept a journal to which, on his return, he gave the title of the “Wonderful Book ;” wherein were recorded his opinions on whatever he imagined might be curious or instructive to his countrymen. Thus recommended by his talents, and especially for his knowledge of Indian affairs, seconded by the influence of an uncle, who then held the office of Minister of Finance, Aboul Hassan was chosen for the important mission to Britain already mentioned. After a stay of nearly seven months his Excellency quitted England, accompanied by Sir G. Ouseley, as minister at the Court of Persia. On the passage the vessel touched at Rio Janeiro, and his Excellency had thus, for the first time, an opportunity of seeing the New World, On his arrival in <Persia he was honoured with the title of Khan, and every mark of confidence was shown him by the King. In 1813 he was employed to conclude a peace with Russia ; and immediately proceeding to St. Petersburgh, remained there upwards of three years. The embassy bn this occasion appeared to be more for the purpose of cultivating friendly relations generally, than for the attainment of any specific object. Besides innumerable other presents from the King, the Ambassador had with him sixteen of the finest horses in the Persian dominions as a compliment to the Prince Regent. These, under the charge of the King’s head groom, arrived in London some time prior to the Ambassador, who, coming by France, remained in Paris much longer than he intended, being greatly captivated with the gaiety of the French capital.’ On this side the channel public curiosity was excited by the frequent and sometimes extravagant announcements in the Parisian journals. mie beauty of the “ Fair Circassian,” by whom he was accompanied, was so much extolled that, “ like another Ellen,” she had almost “ fired another Troy.” ‘‘ The beautiful Circassian,” says one of the journals, “has been so closely confined that not a single person has been able to obtain a sight of her, though thousands crowd daily round her hotel, in the vain hope of a glimpse.” The Gazette de Fraw was more minute in its details :-“ Exiled to her chamber, inaccessible to all the world, she dares not even appear at her window without being covered with a large veil j and she is not relieved from this restraint except when her master is out with his people. She then walks about in her apartment without meeting any one save the females of the hotel, or the two persons charged to watch her. If she chance to meet the females she becomes quite joyous with spirits-she plays with them-romps with them ; but on the least noise she disappears and shuts herself up in her cabinet. Some ladies, among them Lady Somerset, solicited the Ambassador to permit the interesting stranger to pass an evening at their houses j but their entreaties were all to no purpose.” The fair prisoner thus became an object of intense interest, and her arrival in London was looked for with impatience. At length it was announced that At one of the balls given in honour of him, be was heard to say, in an under tonu, “This world is the prison of the true believer, but the paradise of the infidel ! ” The next visit of Aboul Hassan to Great Britain occurred in 1819.
Volume 9 Page 404
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