'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎246] (311/905)

246
STATE OF MORALS.
[CHAP. XI.
numerous led horses, with the badges, ensigns, and other
expensive insignia of funeral state. 1
Immorality of To the Persian have been attributed many of the worst
the Persians. q ua ;[i t i es 0 f human nature ; and his thoughtless extravagance
is of itself a root from which many evil branches cannot fail
to spring. He is notorious for a total disregard of truth,
and for the fraud with which his ordinary dealings are con
ducted. He is devoid of shame in private life, and as insen
sible to disgrace in public; and, provided he can escape
punishment, the most dishonest artifices are viewed as legiti
mate means of accomplishing his ends. He is guilty of the
most shameful debauchery, and superstitious as well as hypo
critical in religious matters. He is also faithless in friend
ship, subject to *strong prejudices, and of a revengeful dis
position. His minor faults are garrulity and a love of vain
display, to which last even personal comforts and cleanliness
are too often sacrificed; he is remarked for a dogmatical and
egotistical bearing, and a haughty demeanour towards in
feriors, with, as usual in such dispositions, the utmost ser
vility towards those above him.
Their polite- This dark picture is not, however, without brighter spots.
Owing to his politeness towards strangers, and an apparently
hospitable disposition, the first meeting with a Persian
usually makes a favourable impression; though the offer of
his house means no more than the Spanish compliment in
like cases. 2 He is, moreover, quick-sighted, 3 sociable, witty,
and affable; buoyant in spirits, well acquainted with the
forms of politeness, and, to a certain extent, inquisitive in
matters of science and art; and, it may be added, of a tolerant
disposition in religious matters, unless when his prejudices
against the Sunnies happen to be awakened. Though not
now confined to water and the simple diet of the time of
Cyrus, 4 the Persian is moderate in his food, and not only
capable of changing the sloth of his harem for most active
1 Ogilby's Asia, pp. 55, 56.
8 The phrase, " it is yours," or " it is at your command," may be easily
traced back from Spain into Barbary, and from thence into Arabia.
8 Ogilby, p. 47. 4 Herodotus, lib. I., cap. Ixxi.