‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎215r] (436/722)

“ A very slig-lit knowledge of astronomy is sufficient to allow a Persian
student to profess the occult science of judicial astrology. If a person can
take an altitude with an astrolobe, knows the names of the planets and
their different mansions, and of a few technical phrases, and understands
the astrological almanacks that are annually published, he deems himself
entitled to offer his services to all who wish to consult him; and that
includes every person in Persia, who had the means to reward his skill.
Nothing is done by a man of any consequence or property without reference
to the stars. If any measure is to be adopted; if a voyage or journey is to
be commenced; if a new dress is to be put on, the lucky or unlucky moment
must be discovered, and the almanack and astrologer are consulted. A
person wishing to commence a journey will not allow a fortunate day to
escape, even though he is not ready to set out. He leaves his own
house at the propitious moment, and remains, till he can actually proceed,
in some incommodious lodging in its vicinity, satisfied that he has, by
quitting his home, secured all the benefit which the influence of good starS
can afford him.
“The poets of Persia are still greater flatterers than the astrologers; but
their occupation,—for it may be termed one,—is less profitable. A few
fortunate votaries of the Muses enjoy the smiles of fortune ; but the
great majority of poets in Persia, as in other countries, are poor; and
from their numbers it is impossible it should be otherwise. Every
person, who has received a moderate education, may, if he prefers a
life of idleness to one of industry, assume the name of a poet; and the
merest rhymer receives some additional respect from being called by that
honoured appellation. While some favoured poets of Persia are chanting
the wonderful deeds of the king or of the principal chiefs, or compos
ing diwans, or c collections of odes/ on the mystical subject of divine
love, others are contented with writing panegyrics on the virtues,
wisdom, bravery, and discernment of all those who bestow their bounty
upon them, or allow them to partake of the good things of their table.
They also make epigrams to amuse their patrons; and are alike ready to
recite their own verses, or to show their knowledge by quoting the finest
passages of the poetry of their country. The facility with which a
Persian can obtain a certain degree of education at the colleges in the prin
cipal cities of the empire, and that indulgence to which the usages of these
seminaries invite, produces a swarm of students, who pass their useless lives
in indolence and poverty. Isfahan, in particular, abounds with these
literary mendicants ; and it is chiefly from the scholars educated at its col
leges and those at Shiraz that the kingdom is inundated with vagrant
poets, who lie in wait, not only for the high officers and wealthy men of
their native country, but for all strangers, whose rank or appearance afford
them the slightest prospect of a return for their venal lays. A professed
ignorance of their language, or the expression of dislike for their produc
tions, is no defence against their craving importunity and unconquerable
assurance.
“ The art of printing has but lately been introduced into Persia,* and beau
tiful writing, therefore, is still considered a high accomplishment. It is
carefully taught in the schools, and those who excel in it are almost classed
with literary men. They are employed to copy books; and some have
* There are now excellent printing presses in Persia-—as, witness, the newspapers pub
lished there.