'The History of Persia, from the most early period to the present time: containing an account of the religion, government, usages and character of the inhabitants of that kingdom. By Colonel Sir John Malcolm, KCB, KLS Late minister plenipotentiary to the court of Persia from the supreme government of India. In two volumes.' [‎611] (676/786)

THE HISTORY OF PERSIA.
The time of the male part of the tribes in Persia is passed in
riding, practising their military exercises, and hunting. Their fare
is coarse and moderate: they now and then feast upon meat; but
their general diet is a hard black bread, sour milk, and curds. They
do not often indulge in intoxicating liquors: their chief delight is
in sitting together, smoking their pipes, and in listening to songs
and tales, or in looking at the tricks, grimaces, and witticisms,
of buffoons*, (who are to be found in every quarter of Persia;)
and some of whom are perfectly skilled in their art. A Persian
chieff of a Kurdish tribe who remained several days with the
British mission when it was in the vicinity of Kermanshah, had
in his train a jester, who possessed very versatile and extraor
dinary talents. One day upon the march, this fellow, addressing
the English envoy, said, « You are, no doubt, very proud of the
" discipline you have established among your Persian servants, who
" march in your front in as regular a style as your own soldiers.
" How long, sir," said the wit, " has it taken you to introduce this
" order among my countrymen?"—" About six months," was the
reply. — " Now," said he, 44 if you will permit me, you shall see
* The Persians say, that a good Loottee, or « buffoon," ought to be able to laugh,
cry, weep, sit still, and dance, at the same moment. Some of these jesters approach
very near this idea of perfection.
t This occurred in 1801. The name of this chief was Mehdy Khan Kulhoor: he
is chief of a tribe who can mount four thousand horse. This nobleman possessed more
accomplishments than any I met with in Persia. He was not only a scholar, but a poet
and a painter; and he added to his other qualities the reputation of being a good
soldier.