The portrait he draws of the Khivan potentate differs in some particulars from that drawn by Mr. MacGahan (see p. 283):—“He is taller than the average of his subjects, being quite five feet ten in height, and is strongly built. His face is of a broad massive type; he has a low square forehead, large dark eyes, a short straight nose, with dilated nostrils, and a coal-black beard and moustache. An enormous mouth, with irregular but white teeth, and a chin somewhat concealed by his beard, and not at all in character with the otherwise determined appearance of his face, must complete the picture. He did not look more than eight and twenty, and had a pleasant genial smile, and a merry twinkle in his eye, very unusual amongst Orientals; in fact, a Spanish expression would describe him better than any English one I can think of. He is _muy simpatico_. . . . The Khan was dressed in a similar sort of costume to that generally worn by his subjects, but it was made of much richer materials, and a jewelled sword was lying by his feet. His head was covered by a tall black Astrakhan hat, of a sugar-loaf shape.” Tea having been served in a small porcelain cup, the Khan entered into conversation with his visitor, through the medium of Nazar, a Kirghiz interpreter, and a moullah. At first it turned upon the relations existing between England and Russia, the Crimean War, the Indian Government, and other branches of _la haute politique_; the Khan displaying a quick and clear intelligence. At last he said— “You do not have a Khan at the head of affairs?” “No,” replied Burnaby, “a Queen; and her Majesty is advised as to her policy by her ministers, who for the time being are supposed to represent the opinion of the country.” “And does that opinion change?” “Very frequently; and since your country was conquered we have had a fresh Government, whose policy is diametrically opposite to that held by the previous one; and in a few years’ time we shall have another change, for in our country, as the people advance in knowledge and wealth, they require fresh laws and privileges. The result of this is, they choose a different set of people to represent them;” and the Major entered on a brief exposition of constitutional principles, which to the Khan must surely have been unintelligible. “Can your Queen have a subject’s head cut off?” “No, not without a trial before our judges.” “Then she never has their throats cut?” [the Khivan punishment for murder]. “No.” “Hindostan is a very wonderful country,” continued the Khan; “the envoy I sent there a few years ago {359} has told me of your railroads and telegraphs; but the Russians have railroads, too.” “Yes,” replied Burnaby; “we lent them money, and our engineers have helped to make them.” “Do the Russians pay you for this?” he inquired. “Yes; so far they have behaved very honourably.” “Are there not Jews in your country like some of the Jews at Bokhara?” “One of the richest men in England is a Jew.”