'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎204] (235/582)

species of exhibition as much as Englishmen would do the plea
sures of the drama. It might itself, indeed, be called a dramatic
representation; for although but one person appeared on the
stage, there were as great a variety of characters personated by
this one, as appears in any of our best plays. The subject of his
tale was from the wars of Nadir Shah, more particularly at the
period that his arms were directed against Bagdad; and in it he
breathed forth the haughty fury of the conquering warrior;
trembled in the supplicating tone of the captive ; allured by the
female voice of love and desire ; and dictated in the firmer strain
of remonstrance and reproach. I could understand this orator
but imperfectly, and was unwilling at the moment to disturb the
fixed attention of my companions, by soliciting their interpreta
tion ; but, as far as gestures and attitudes were explanatory of the
passions and incidents on which they were exercised, I certainly
had never yet seen any thing more complete. Bursts of laughter,
sensations of fear, and sighs of pity, rapidly succeeded each other
in the audience, who were at some periods of the tale so silent,
that the fall of a pin might have been heard. Money was thrown
into the circle by those whose approbation the story-teller had
strongly won. This was gathered up by one of the boys who
served the caleoons, without charge, to those engaged in listen
ing, and no money was at any time demanded ; though, as far
as our short stay there would warrant a judgment, I should con
ceive the.gains of the performer to have been considerable.
A few paces beyond this, we saw another crowd assembled
round a little boy of ten or twelve years of age, who was singing,
with the notes of the lark, in the clearest and most delightful
strain. As we pressed nearer to observe this youth, all were seem
ingly moved to sympathize in his apparent sufferings. His voice
was one of the clearest and most sweetly melodious that the most
fastidious ear could desire; but the trill of it, which charmed us
so much at a distance, was produced by quick and violent thrusts
of the end of the forefinger against the windpipe; while, from the