'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎19] (26/714)

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CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME
XIX
CHAPTER XI
TEHERAN
An old and a new city—Ancient testimony—Teheran under Shah Abbas-
Later vicissitudes- Made his capital by Agha Mohammed Shah—Its
then extent—Its appearance—Old British Mission—New Teheran—
The interior—The Tup Meidan—Other meidans—Nakkara-Khaneh—
British Legation—The Ark—The Palace—Takht-i-Marmor—The Mu
seum —Crown jewels—The alleged Peacock Throne—Testimony of
Bernier—What history says—Deposition of the usurper—Oriental taste
The Gulistan—Koyal Levee—The Shah—Shems-el-Imaret—Takieh—■
The remainder—Mosques—Bazaars—Street life—Population—European
element—Foreign Legations—Advantages and disadvantages as capital
Political merits—Racecourse— Negaristan—Bath-room—Kasr-i-Kajar
Other palaces—Doshan-Tepe—British Legation at Gulahek—Dema-
vend—Southern environs Ruins of Rhey—Ancient iihages Its ruins
Tower of Yezid—Rock sculptures—Veramin
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CHAPTER XII
THE NORTHERN PROVINCES
Mazanderan and Gilan—Astrabad province—History of the city—Present
appearance—Shah Abbas' causeway—Population of Astrabad—Local in
dustries—Peasant life—Maritime provinces—(1) Sea-coast (2) Jungle
and arable—(3) Forest belt—Towns and cultivation—(4) Bare moun
tains—Population—Dress—Influence of the Caspian on climate —
Produce— History of silk trade—Table of produce and value—History
of decline—Present area of production—Mode of cultivation Other
resources — Revenue — History — Russian invasion Later history
Palaces of Abbas the Great— Ashraf—Ferahabad—Cities of Mazan
deran— Sari—Barfurush—Meshed-i-Ser—Amol—Railway to the sea—
New road to Teheran—Towns of Gilan—Resht—Possible improve
ments—Russian designs upon Gilan and Mazanderan Perils of the
climate—Perils of the country
CHAPTER XIII
THE SHAH—ROYAL FAMILY—MINISTERS
The personal element in Persian government—The Kajar Dynasty—Nasr-
ed-Din Shah—His appearance—Health and habits—Intellectual attain
ments—Tastes and caprices—Sense of humour—Fancy for animals—
The Shah as ruler—Atmosphere of flattery—Cruelty or humanity
His European journeys—Comparison with previous reigns—Comparison
between 1848 and 1891—Audience with the Shah—Harem of the Shah
The Kaiars as progenitors—Family of J the Shah—His sons—Suc
cession to the throne—Muzatfer-ed-Din, the Vali-Ahd—His character—
The Zil-es« Sultan—Fallacious predictions—Interview with the Prince-