Journal of a residence in England,

Rare. Translated from the original Persian by Assad Yacoub Kayat. An account of the residence in England, and journey there from Syria and the subsequent return of three Persian princes.

The background to this book shows the complex nature of Persian politics at this time. Fath Ali Shah (1769-1834), the second Shah of Qajar Iran, had appointed Abbas Mirza as his successor; Abbas Mirza, however, pre-deceased him in 1833, and Fath Ali Shah, on his deathbed, proclaimed Mohammed Mirza, eldest son of Abbas Mirza, as Crown Prince. Mohammed Mirza proclaimed himself King and with the help of the British defeated the two of the sons of Fath Ali Shah who had in the meantime both proclaimed themselves as Shah. The three princes were the sons of one of these defeated pretenders, Hossein Ali Mirza, and they were moved to England and given asylum there by the British government who thought they might be of use if the victorious Mohammad Shah was to fall under the influence of Russia, his chief aide being pro-Russian.

First edition. 2 vols, 8vo, xxiii, 306; [vi], 291 pp., facsimile letter in Vol. I, original blue blindstamped cloth gilt, floral gilt centrepice to covers, light fade to spines, a fine set.

Ghani 273.