'Journal of the British Embassy to Persia; Embellished with Numerous Views taken in India and Persia: also a Dissertation upon the Anqituities of Persepolis' [‎2] (30/174)

JOURNAL OF TRAVELS
through
PERSIA, ARMENIA, and ASIA MINOR.
PART I.
The Embassy embarks at Spithead—touches at Madeira, Rio Janeiro, Ceylon, Cochin, and Bombay—enters the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , lands at Busheher—-proceeds to Shiraz and
Persepolis arrives at Ispahan, where it remains three months—passes through Kashan and Kom—reaches Tehiran, the seat of the Persian Court—having effected the
object of the mission, after a stay of six months, it quits Tehiran, and passing through Cazwin, Sultaniah, Zengan, fyc. arrives at Tabriz for the signature of Abbas Mirza
to the definitive treaty.
Sir Gore Ouseley , Bart, having been appointed by his late Majesty King George
the Third, his Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of
Persia; it was decided that he should accompany Mirza Abu'l Hasan, the Persian
Ambassador, on his return, and I had an honourable appointment in the suite.
18th July, 1810.—Embarked at Spithead, on board H. M. ship Lion, 64 guns,
accompanied by the Chichester store-ship, and the Indiana, a convict ship, bound for
Botany Bay; the latter, however, sailing badly, we soon left behind.—Lay-to on the
night of the 28th, being near land, and next morning had a good view of the Island of
Porto Santo , and the Deserta Islands;—reached the bay of
FUNCHAL,
in the Island of Madeira, and anchored there about noon, alongside^ H. M. frigate
Menelaiis. The usual compliments having passed, the Embassy landed and occupied
a house within the town: the weather was hot, but the place was delightful; the
grapes and other fruits were in great abundance; and every cottager seemed to be
furnished with a cask of wine as his common liquor. The town of Funchal stands at
the foot of a high range of rocky mountains, near the top of which stands the convent
of Nossa Senhora da Monte, very conspicuous from the sea.—On the 30th I accom
panied some of the officers of the Lion to the convent above-mentioned, and found it
a very fine structure.
We re-embarked the 1st of August, and sailed, having in company the same ships
as before, for the Indiana had also arrived: next day we chased a strange sail, but lost
sight of her in the night. Passed
PALMA,
one of the Canary Islands, on the, 3rd.—4th, lost sight of the Indiana.—5th, chased
and brought-to the Susan of New York. We sailed, with light winds, and came in
faight of Cape Frio on the 12th of September, anchored near the Sugar-loaf mountain
on the 13th, next day entered the harbour of
RIO JANEIRO,
and took our station alongside the British flag ship Foudroyant, Admiral De Courcv,
then on the Brazil station-
B
It was generally supposed, during the voyage, the convict ship, which we had left
behind, might, arrive a week or nine days after we had reached the port; but our
officers were astonished when they were told the Indiana had reached the place three
days before our arrival, and had given notice of our coming.
On the 16th, five carriages belonging to the Royal family came to the landing-place
to receive the Ambassadors and their suites; the royal guards paid them military
honours, lowering their colours, &c. l/th.—Lord Strangford came to say the Prince
had fixed the next day to receive the English and Persian Ambassadors at court.
18th.—Sir Gore Ouseley being first presented to the Prince, introduced Mirza Abu'l
Hasan, and going through the court forms, they retired, satisfied with their friendly
reception.
19th.—Went to Rio das Larangeras, a very picturesque place near the mountain that
rises in the shape of two cones. Made sketches there, and at CiuHad Nova, village
of Catambom, &c.
20th.—1 accompanied Lieut. Pinhey, R. N. to the seat of Mr. Gill, a Scotch gentle
man, at Erigenho Velho, a few miles up the country, a very romantic spot among bold
mountains ; and during our stay we made several excursions in different directions :
the scenery was quite enchanting, and the ground in some of the groves was strewed
with delicious oranges. The butterflies in the fields were perhaps the most beautiful
in the world; and the night discovered the twinkling lustre of a species of fly that
glitters like the glow-worm. The city affords many subjects for the pencil. Near the
church of St. Teresa is a curious aqueduct, and the convent of St. Bento has a fine
effect.
26th,—Sir Gore Ouseley and Mirza Abu'l Hasan, with their suites, re-embarked on
board the Lion, and exchanged salutes ; next day we dropped anchor near the Sugar-
loaf Mountjain, and on the 28th sailed, with a fair wind, having the Chichester and
Indiana in company.
On the 18th October, we passed the Island of
TRISTAN D'ACUNHA,
which rose in a conic shape, and was capped with snow; soon after we passed Inac
cessible Island and Nightingale Island, where the sea was almost covered with gulls,
albatros, and other large birds.