D by Henry III of Castile, Spain.

CLAVIJO describes the beautiful gardens with their tiled palaces where
banquets were given. The ambassador, who was invited, marvelled at the
gorgeous tents, one of which "was so large and high that from a
distance it looked like a castle, and it was a very wonderful thing to
see, and possessed more beauty than it is possible to describe". It is
interesting to notice that SHARAF-U-DIN mentions the presence of the
Ambassadors, "for," he writes, "even the smallest of fish have their
place in the sea". Truly a delightful touch!--History of Persia, by
SIR PERCY SYKES, Vol. II, page 133.

[Illustration: ILLUSTRATIONS FOR TITLE-PAGES OF A SHAHNAMA (EPIC OF
KINGS) OF THE XVTH CENTURY]

"On the extreme of the western side of the royal precincts opening on
to the CHAHAR BAGH are a garden and building. The Garden was
previously called "BAGH I BULBUL" (Garden of Nightingales).--LORD
CURZON, History of Persia.

"Night drawing on, all the pride of SPAHAUN was met in the CHAUR BAUG
and grandees were airing themselves, prancing about with their
numerous trains, striving to outdo each other in pomp and
generosity."--DR. FRYER, recorded A.D. 1677.

CHARDIN, who was at Ispahan at the time of SHAH SULEIMAN'S reign
(1667-1694), records in his "VOYAGES", Vol. VIII, page 43:

"When one walks in these places expressly made for the delights of
love and when one passes through all these cabinets and niches, one's
heart is melted to such an extent that to speak candidly, one always
leaves with a very ill grace. The climate without doubt contributes
much towards exciting this amorous disposition, but assuredly these
places, although in some respects little more than cardboard castles,
are nevertheless more smiling and agreeable than our most sumptuous
palaces."

LORD CURZON says (History of Persia, Vol. II, page 37) that "Even
CHARDIN, enthusiastic but seldom sentimental, was inspired to an
unwonted outburst by the charms of HASHT BAHISHT".

[Illustration: VIEW OF CHAHAR BAGH (FOUR GARDENS) AND HASHT BAHISHT
(PAVILION OF EIGHT PARADISES) AT ISPAHAN. CONSTRUCTED BY SHAH SULEIMAN
SAFAWI ABOUT A.D. 1670. REPRODUCTION FROM "LA PERSE, LA CHALDEE ET LA
SUSIANE" (1887) BY DIEULAFOY]

PAIR OF DOORS FROM THE PAVILION OF CHAHAL SITUN (Hall of Forty
Pillars) built by SHAH ABBAS the Great (A.D. 1588-1629).

These are decorated with representations of scenes from the Royal
Court of the great Shah, painted minute