The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)Beloe, William
General
The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)
Beloe, William
Authors, English; Beloe, William, 1756-1817; English literature -- Anecdotes
Much favourable notice is made in our Memoranda relating to Browne, the
African traveller, and many interesting conversations appear to have
taken place on the subject of what he had actually observed, as well as
of the expeditions which he meditated. He had the enthusiasm of visiting
remote and less known regions so strong upon him, that the wonder is,
he should so long remain at home after his return from Africa, however
tedious, perilous, and painful, his residence at Darfour must necessarily
have been.
No man, by his personal manners and appearance, his gravity, firmness,
good sense, and judgment, appears to have been better qualified for
undertakings of the kind. His demeanour was precisely that of a Turk of
the better order. He conversed slowly and sparingly, never descended to
familiarity, observed each and all of the company as if with jealousy and
suspicion. But when this wore off, and intimacy was established, he was
exceedingly communicative, and readily discussed the subjects about which
he was most anxious, and best qualified, to impart information.
After much and long deliberation upon the subject, he finally determined
upon the expedition, in the prosecution of which he lost his life.
He proceeded by Malta to Smyrna, and from thence through Asia Minor,
Amassya, Tokat and Armenia to Tebriz. At this place he remained a few
weeks, expecting the arrival of the English Ambassador from Hamadan, the
ancient Ecbatana. He lived with Sir G. O. some time at Tebriz, who gave
him letters to Naserraddin Mirza, son of Beg Ján, King of Boccara, and to
Ahmed Ali Mirza, the King of Persia’s son, the governor of Khorasan, and
residing at Meshhed.
The Ambassador, moreover, procured him passports and letters from the
King of Persia and his ministers, and a _Mehmander_, who would have been
responsible for his life and property, as far as the Persian dominions
extend. His impatience, however, to proceed, induced him to leave the
king’s camp some hours before his Mehmander was ready, and being in a
Turkish dress, and not known to be an Englishman, he was murdered by
some wandering tribe of Kurds or Turkomans, near the Kaflán Kúh or Tiger
Mountain, after having crossed the river Kezel Ouzan, which separates
Azerbarján (Atropatera) from Irak.
He had no English attendant, but whilst he remained in Persia, kept one
groom and one valet, both Persians, and had two or three horses.
He left no papers or memoranda behind him when he departed from Tebriz,
but a few dispersed fragments were collected at the spot where the body
was found.
He often avowed his intention of publishing his travels to Bokhara and
Samarkand, and he purposed, had it been practicable, to return by the
northern end of the Caspian sea, as he was to have gone by the southern
end of it. The Ambassador made such representations to the King of
Persia, that both he and his son Abbas Mirza took the greatest pains to
discover the assassins.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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