'A second journey through Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor, to Constantinople, between the years 1810 and 1816. With a journal of the voyage by the Brazils and Bombay to the Persian Gulf. Together with an account of the proceedings of His Majesty's embassy under Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart. K.L.S. With two maps, and engravings from the designs of the author.' [‎104] (143/516)

104
LOOTIES.
father, saying, a man child is born unto thee, making him very glad"
When it is recollected that there are no rejoicings on the birth of the
daughter, but that on the contrary every one is as backward to inform
the father of it, as they were forward on the birth of the son, the whole
force of that passage will be felt; and it will appear they were informed
of the event by men, as they are at the present day.
No sooner was the birth of the Ambassador's child known at Shiraz,
than compliments of congratulation, attended by fruit, sweetmeats, and
brocades, poured in from every quarter. The Prince's mother was
preeminent in her attentions. She did not cease to make fine speeches;
and invested the man who brought her the news with a Kalaat. The
next morning, she sent Aga Besheer, her head eunuch, attended by a
numerous suite from the Harem, to make her formal congratulations,
and to present a dress of honour to the babe, that consisted of a little
square bed of down, covered with cloth of gold, a quilt of Cashmire
shawl, a small cap, a pair of brocade drawers stiff as tin-plate, abarounee
or great coat, and a pair of shawl stockings.
Whoever could devise the smallest pretext for extracting a present
from the Ambassador, did not fail to present himself on this occasion.
Among others, came the Looties or buffoons, headed by a chief: these
may in some manner be assimilated to our bands of marrow-bones and
cleavers. They attend at merry-makings and public festivals, and in
the style and manner of their wit, disregard all delicacy.
The Princes, Governors of provinces, &c. as well as the King, have
a band of these fellows in their pay, and they are looked upon as a ne
cessary part of Persian state. They are composed of the most profligate
of men, and can only advance in their profession by superior ribaldry.
Some of them are endowed with great natural wit, which was the case with
the Looti Bashee ox chief Looti, who attended the Ambassador on this
occasion; for it is said, that sometime ago he entered the lists before the
Prince with the ex-Looti Bashee, and so surpassed him in humour and
ingenuity, that he was instantly promoted to his present situation. His
dress, when he came to the Ambassador, was composed of a felt hat, the
crown of which was made like ours, but with two long ears projecting