Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

From Bell's London Messenger.

PERSIAN AMBASSADOR AND THE FAIR CIRCASSIAN,

During the residence of the Persian ambassador in Paris, he was so great an object of public curiosity, that he could not leave his hotel without being surrounded by a multitude of gazers. When he attended fashionable parties, the eagerness evinced by the ladies to gain a sight of him, subjected him to a degree of embarrassment, the more insupportable, as the people of the east entertain notions very unfavorable to that kind of female curiosity.—We extract the following from the French Journals :—" The Persian Ambassador, on returning one day from a ride, found his apartments crowded by ladies, all elegantly dressed, tho' not all equally beautiful. Astonished at this unexpected assemblage, he enquired what these European Odaliques, could possibly want with him. The interpreter replied, that they had come to look at his excellency. The ambassador was surprised to find himself an object of curiosity among a people who boast of having attained the summit of civilization; and was not a little offended at conduct, which in Asia, would have been considered an unwarrantable breach of good breeding :he accordingly revenged himself by the following little scheme :—The illustrious foreigner affected to be charmed with the ladies; he looked at them attentively, alternately pointing to them with his finger, and speaking with earnestness to his interpreter, who he was well aware would be questioned by his fair visitors, and he therefore instructed him in the part he was to act. Accordingly, the eldest of the ladies, who, in spite of her age, probably thought herself the prettiest of the whole party, and whose curiosity was particularly excited, after his excellency had passed through the suite of rooms, coolly enquired what had been the object of his examination? Madam, replied the interpreter, 'I dare not inform you.'—'I wish particularly to know, Sir.' Indeed, Madam, it is impossible.' 'Nay, Sir, this reserve is vexatious—I desire to know.' 'Oh! since you desire, Madam—know then that his excellency has been valuing you.' 'Valuing us—how Sir?' Yes, ladies, his excellency, after the custom of his country, has been settling a price upon each of you.' Well, that's whimsical enough; and how much may that lady be worth, according to his estimation?''A thousand crowns.' 'And the other?' 'Five hundred crowns.' And that young lady with fair hair ? Three hundred crowns.' And that Brunette ?' The same price.' ' And that lady who is painted?' Fifty crowns.' 'And pray, Sir, what may I be worth in the tariff of his excellency's good graces? 'Oh. Madam, you really must excuse me, I beg—.'...' Come, come, no concealments.' The prince merely said, as he passed you,' 'Well ! what did he say ?' He said. Madam, that he did not know the small coin of this country.