On the death of Hajee Ibrahim, the king is said to have desired to raise Mahomed Hoosein Khan to the rank of prime minister, but he declined the dangerous dignity, declaring he had made a vow never again to enter upon affairs of state, unless an opportunity was afforded him of wreaking his vengeance on the merciless ruler of Bokhara, by sacking that capital. Mahomed Hoosein Khan continues his habits of study, which, added to the information he has acquired in his travels, renders his conversation at once agreeable and instructive. His conduct, since he came into Persia, has obtained him great respect from all classes. There are some few who accuse him of intriguing, and assert, that notwithstanding his professed vow, he secretly mixes in matters of state: but such suspicions and accusations are probably the consequence of his continuing to enjoy so great a share of the royal favour. His ostensible station is that of the Nedeem, or chosen companion of the sovereign, and as such he is almost in constant attendance upon the king's person, whose whole conduct towards this unfortunate chief does equal honour to his head and heart.[157] FOOTNOTES: [135] My old friend Câsim-Wâlâ died about five years after this interview. Among other occupations of his latter years was that of preparing for himself a place of interment in the Chehâr-Bâgh of Isfahan. He built a small but handsome mausoleum, with a tomb in the centre, for the top of which a fine marble slab was obtained from Yezd; and he not only wrote his own epitaph on this stone, but had it engraved, and every way finished, with the exception of the date of his death. Near the mausoleum he made a fountain and flower garden, with bowers and seats; and a gentleman who saw him a short time before he died, tells me this spot became his favourite resort, where he delighted to receive and converse with his friends and disciples. [136] Faringee, as has been before remarked, implies European. [137] This observation alluded to some embarrassments that had arisen in consequence of two British envoys, one from England, and the other India, meeting at the court of Persia. [138] Nothing can be more curious than the fact of Mahomedan princes creating honours of knighthood to confer distinction on Christians. The usage commenced with the court of Constantinople, and was followed by that of Teheran. The King of Persia created the order of the Sun for General Gardanne, the ambassador from Buonaparte. This order was offered to Sir Harford Jones, envoy from the King of England, but was declined on account of the circumstances attending its origin. It was subsequently pressed upon the acceptance of the Elchee, but he deemed it proper to follow the example of the envoy of the King of England. The King of Persia determined, however, as he said, that his first European friend should wear an order of his creation, and instituted that of the Lion and Sun, which have been from very ancient times the arms of Persia.