Star.
London, England, 1826-01-10 00:00:00

FRENCH EM-1-1-ASSY.TO PERSIA.

The following.is an extract of a letter from M. Bel-
langer, who accompanied Viscount Desbassayns, the
French Ambassador, in his journey overland to India,

Teheran,'July 2.
After a journey of nearly 1.600 leagues, here we are
at length in the capital of Persia, where we arrived
about 15 days ago. In my last I gave you an account
of our journey from Teflis to Tauris, and of the recep-
tion we met with from the Hereditary Prince of Persia.
I shall now re.ume my narrative from the period when
we left the latter city.
We set out on the 2,1 of June. As we advanced
from Tauris the land rose gradually till we arrived
among the mountains of Teharaf and Caflanguer, whose
height, according to our observations by the barome-
ter, is about 700 toises. But a shoit time before, and
the snow had been deep upon these mountains ; the,
higher summits were yet covered with it, and continue
so during the whole summer. The aspect of the coun-
try was quite different from that which had hitherto',
presented itself. There was here more dryness and
aridity—the eye rested agreeably on the immense green
plains, covered with plants of the most beautiful ap-
pearance, and enamelled with a variety of flowers; it
had over me the effect of a dream—l gatherel a great
quantity of evergreens, and plants of every tribe;
among others, there is one which I shall mention to
you, it was a muscari, with an immense bulb, having
a strongly defined odour of muscadine grape, but its
taste was acrid and disagreeable.
M. Desbassayne de Itichemout has been received
in the capital of Persia with the same honours which
were rendered him at Tauris. He was conducted, on
his arrival, to the house of Aboul Hassan Khan, tor-
naerly Ambassador in France and England, and now
Minister of Foreign Affairs. A lodging had been
here provided for him. A few days after, we were re•
eeived in solemn audience by the king of kings—the
master of all—the shadow of tl.e Eternal upon earth '
—in a word, by the Shah. I never saw a more cu-
rious and theatrical like spectacle in my life; of which
kto give you anything like an adeqii4te idea, I should
have recourse to long descriptions. But I have no time
for such : besides, to use an oritntal expression, it
would require water of gold, and, unfortunately, I have
very little of that. 1 must tell you, however, that
;After being conducted through the city by the (lens-,
d'arcrres, who were armed with massive weapons indeed,
with which they struck such persons as dil n t range
themselves immediately, so as to let our cavalcade
pass, we arrived at the gates of the palace, and en
tered amid an immensely crowded Court. The Shari,
in order to thew his power and forvs, had caused
5,000 of his troops to assemble, both cavalry and in•
tantry, organised in' the European fashion, and who
went through their exercises as we approached. All
the artillery pieces were ornamented with Persian
standard., while trophies of various kinds embellished
the spectacle. As M. de Rich?rnont advanced, bear
ingg the king's letters, t!:e drums beat a field MAIC.i.
We had been conveyed to the Pal ice on horses riehic
, caparisoned ; these we left preparatory to our Wog
Inshered into a sort of ante-chamber, di taut about ten
minutes walk from the apartments of the Shah, am:
where a.l the Ministers w. re assembl..d. Here te„
of loses was offered to us, 111,1 also the 1611yoon (rev
situ pipe) was presented. Vve were Colll4UCted. to hi..

Berme a•cending the ball of the throne, the Grand
Master of the Ceremonies began to announce, with as
loud a voice as he cnuld command, that " Viscount
Deshassryns de Richemont, beater if a letter from his
Maje.ty the King of France, demanded to be admitied."
The Shah answered, "Let him be welcome."
Then, after two obeisances, we were admitted into
the hall. M. Viscount deposited the letter and present
of his Kitty, accord;ng 'to 'etiquette, before the Shalr.
who was seated on a sort of throne or chair of antique
form, entirely cov;.red with' precious sautes.
Toe au !knee hall was extremely ruagnitic,rit, de-
em aced with gla.s ornaments,• like et ystal. Near the
Shah, and on ',is left hand were stationed the'Grandees
Of his Court, boldinz; one his di idem, another his
scimitar, a third his • shield; and d fourth his sceptre.
It is impossible ti behold enything mote beautiful. Alf
these insignia were comphtely covered with precious
stones. On the top of the shield was an emerald of ex.
ttaordinary size. The Shah wore bracelets, in the
midst of which glittered two of the largest diamouds
that can be conceived. On each side of the hall were
to be seen several'of his sons, all dressed most splendidly,
and coveted over with jewellery. 0, posite the S:tah,
and behind us, men were placed dressed in grand cos-
tume, having on their shoulders golden axes, evidences
of their redoubtable functions; with their eyes fixed on
the Supreme Master of everything, they betrayed not
the slghtest motion which could chew that they be-
lunge.' to this world.
This silence, and the oriental splendour which pre-
vailed throughout the entire spectacle, inspired such a
.comminglement of terror and admiration, and produce.l
so great an effect on our poor Dragoman that he grew
quite sick. The Shah Wormed himself of the state of
health of Charles the Tenth, and of our Princes, and
asked several questions which testified the interest which
he felt for our Nlonareh and for France. M. de Rithe-
moat satisfied him on every head, and was very digni-
fied in his answers.

Furry Alli Shah is a man of about sixty-sir years of
age, less remarkable for his features than for a beard,
wbich has become, as you kr ow, the subject of history.
It almost covers his whole figure, scarcely leaves his
eyes visible, and descends to his girdle. This it is which
procures him the admiration of his subjects, whe s ty—
there is no greater King.ia the world, for he has a long
beard, an infinite number of women, aid many horses!

The audience lasted about a qu,irter of an hour, and
we were conducted back to our lodgings with the same
ceremonial. The Order cf the Lion and the Sun of the
second class, which de Richemont has received, is a star
with eight points, enriched with diamonds and stones cf
different colours; it is worn cn a St. Andrew's cross.

M. de Itichemont has nearly recovered from a severe
illness, occa.ilned by the fatigue of travelling and the
climate, and Doctor M‘Neal, attached to the English
Embassy', has partaken of my cares in attending to bim.
To escape the excessive heats which prevail here at this
season, and leave the unhealthy air of Teheran, we are
preparing to go and pass some time in the mountains in
this ne'ghbout hood.