'The dynasty of the Kajars translated from the original Persian manuscript presented by His Majesty Faty Aly Shah to Sir Harford Jones Brydges ... to which is prefixed a succinct account of the history of Persia previous to that period illustarted with plates and a map of Western Persia' [‎177] (198/684)

PRELIMINARY MATTER. clxxvii
closed by a perdah or curtain, appropriated to us to
sleep in, and excellent mattresses and coverlids.
Just as the day broke, however, we experienced
two severe shocks of an earthquake; the last
of which brought down the corner of the room
most distant from us. I believe there is no peril in
which man can be placed, where he so sud
denly and completely becomes sensible of his own
helplessness, as in that of an earthquake; and I
have frequently observed, from their conduct, that
the same sensation appears to prevail amongst
animals. Such disasters are frequent at Khest; so
that, perhaps, our host did not think so much of
this adventure as we did.
After breakfast, I waited on the king; who, after
some trifling conversation about the earthquake,
said: " Tell me candidly your opinion as to the
prospect I have of recovering Shiraz." I replied:
" I was afraid my opinion on that subject would
" be little satisfactory to him, being convinced, that,
" unless he received assistance from within the city,
" it would be very difficult, not to say impossible
" for him, without battering artillery or mortars,
" to obtain possession of it. That having already
" mentioned how little probable it was that he
" should receive such assistance, it was my opinion
" that unless an insurrection took place, and Hajy
Ibrahim was seized, or the guards at one of the
" gates betrayed their trust, his present means and
" preparations were totally incompetent to the
" object. Besides, whenever he sat down before
" the city, Aga Muhammed Khan would immedi-
" ately come to its relief; and then he must either
m