The travels of Mirza Abu Taleb Khan in Asia, Africa, and Europe, during the years 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803 Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1814 edition. Excerpt: ...honoured me with their friendship. I was so much pleased with the wit and agreeable conversation of Mrs. Brown, that I wrote a poem in her praise, and sent it to her from London. Next in rank among the public buildings, is the Parliament House. This is divided into two large apartments, and several offices. In one of the apartments the Lords meet; and in the other, the Commons, or representatives of the people, assemble. These rooms are hung round with tapestry, on which are depicted the representations of battles, and other events that occur in their history. At first I thought they were paintings, but, upon examination, discovered, to my great astonishment, that the figures were all worked on the cloth. I next visited the Custom House, and the Exchange: these are both noble buildings. In the former, the duties upon all goods exported or imported are received; and in the latter the merchants assemble to negotiate their concerns. One of the greatest curiosities I observed here was a wind clock: it had a dial resembling a common clock, with two hands, which indicated the exact point whence the wind blew. I afterwards proceeded to the Courts of Law, and then to a superb dome called the Rotunda. This latter place was built for a public music-room, and will hold 4000 persons, but is now used by Government as a barrack for soldiers. The five buildings I have mentioned are constructed of beautiful hewn stone; and the four latter have, in the centre of each, a lofty dome, whence, through large glazed windows, the light is communicated to the interior: they are also adorned in front by arcades of lofty pillars. In this city there are a great number of places of public worship, several of which I visited. The most celebrated of them is called Christ...