The bearer is sent to amuse you. Let the painter that is with you see him and the various forms he can assume: he is a jester. Peace!
Finished 17th Rabea, 1262.
Hadj Gabári was a funny fellow, made all sorts of grimaces and a number of bon mots; had been in the East and spoke of Mehemet Ali; told us that, when in Egypt, he had been called upon to serve in the army, but got freed upon being told to march to see whether he would make a good soldier. He then showed us how he had walked, which was much like the gait of one of Astley’s clowns. Hadj Gabári meant this joke, I suspect, as a cut at the discipline of the Sultan’s troops. Escazena made a very good caricature of the jester, with one eye shut. I dispatched it to the Uzir, with a note to thank his Excellency for the amusement he had afforded, adding that I sent him back two jesters, with only three eyes between them.
I have been pointed out certain marks on my horse (turns of the hair) underneath his neck, which the Moors assure me are the best guarantee that the owner of the animal will never have any wish in life that he will not obtain. My horse has also been turning up one of his hoofs or resting his foot, as all horses do, and I am told that this is his ‘fatha’ or mode of prayer, and that he is praying God for his own and his master’s welfare.
April 15. Had another long interview with the Uzir. His Excellency has promised verbally, in the name of the Sultan, to give a favourable answer to each affair. We shall see how the letters run, for I have required that all be written—‘Quod scriptum est manet.’
The Sultan, it seems, is vastly pleased with the Queen’s gifts, especially the long gun barrels.
The Uzir asked many questions about India and our late victories there; about the war in China, our possessions there, &c., &c. I afforded him all the information he desired, and gave him some more distinct ideas than he had before of our power and wealth, compared with those of other nations, and let him understand (what few Moors do) that we can be powerful without being tyrannical or oppressive; that the weak and the strong nation are equally respected by us, if they keep to their treaty engagements and show no ill-will towards us. I finished by saying that the peace of the world was the greatest blessing to mankind when founded upon such principles, and that those nations with whom we had been at war in former times were now our good friends, whilst our old friends remained our best friends.
April 16. Another horse was brought me this morning as a present from the Sultan. He is not so handsome as the last, but a fine animal.
It has always been customary, on the occasion of a visit of a Consul-General to the Sultan, for His Majesty to give two horses: to give less would be ominous of the Consul or his nation being out of favour.
April 17. Saw from the roof of our dwelling the Sultan go to the great mosque, the Kutubía, at twelve o’clock. The new troops lined the road. A large body of unmounted irregular troops marched before His Majesty, who was immediately preceded by two lance-bearers. The Sultan was dressed in white, as on the day of my reception, and mounted on a white horse. A man on foot held a large red silk umbrella, with a gilt ball on the top and a long pole for a stick, over the ‘Exalted Presence.’