The party appeared particularly gloomy: their clothes were of a dark hue, and their caps and their beards were of the deepest black. Every one had a musket, a sword, a brace of pistols, and a great variety of little conveniences, as powder-flasks, cartouche-boxes, hammers, drivers, &c. so that the aggregate equipment displayed every man a figure made up for fighting. The _Khan_ was dressed exactly like his followers, and was alone distinguished by carrying fewer arms. He had, indeed, one _Yeduk_ or led horse before him. The trappings of their horses are very simple, compared to those of the Turks. The head-stall of the bridle has little bits of gold and silver, or brass fixed to it, without the tassels, chains, half-moons, or beads of a Turkish bridle. Nor have they the splendid breast-plate, or the bright and massy stirrup of the Turkish cavalry. Their saddle itself is much more scanty in the seat, nor is it so much elevated behind. The only finery of a Persian saddle is a raised pummel either gilt or silvered; and a saddle-cloth, or rather an elegant kind of carpetting, trimmed with a deep fringe. On the next day, the Envoy directed me to return, in his name, the visit of MAHOMED HASSAN KHAN. He was lodged in the house which then belonged to the Vice-governor, but which had been the property of the late HAJEE KHELIL KHAN, (the Embassador of Persia, who was unfortunately killed at _Bombay_.) The room into which we were introduced was very pleasant, and by far more agreeable than any thing that I had expected at _Bushire_. Two pillars, neatly inlaid with looking-glasses, supported it on one side, and thus separated it from a small court, which was crowded with servants. An orange tree stood in the centre of the court. The walls of the room were of a beautiful white stucco, resembling plaster of Paris; and large curtains were suspended around them, to screen in every position the company from the sun. The _Khan_ was seated in a corner, and having taken off our shoes at the door, we paid our respects severally, and then settled ourselves according to our rank. When we were arranged, he went about separately to each, and with an inclination of his head, told us we were welcome, (“_Khosh Amedeed_.”) The Vice-governor next appeared, and sat respectfully at a little distance. He was followed by the Governor of the small neighbouring district of _Dasti_, a rough looking man, who exchanged a kiss with the Khan. We had _kaleoons_, (the water pipe), then sweet sherbet, then again the _kaleoons_. Few words passed, and we did little except look at each other. Two or three Arabs came in, and were welcomed by the Khan with the “_khosh amedeed_” as they seated themselves at the further end of the room. The measurement of their distances in a visit seems a study of most general application in Persia; and the knowledge of compliments is the only knowledge displayed in their meetings; if, indeed, the visits of ceremony, which