Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 17.9.7

17.9.7

Over against his own Mesned, but on the opposite side of the hall, another Mesned was always spread for Mir-mahmed-aaly-fazyl, with a large pillow at the back of it, (that learned gentleman used always to come into the palace by the water-gate, that being the nearest). As soon as his Paleky had landed him at the rails of the terrace, which is on a level with the main hall, (a privilege granted only to three persons more, all Princes of the blood) and he had commenced ascending the steps towards the audience hall, which is not a small distance, Aaly-verdy-qhan used to rise, and to stand upon his own Mesned, waiting his walking in. When the learned man had advanced so far towards the hall, as to leave his slippers, and he had entered into the hall (and this was a vast spacious building), then the Viceroy quitted his Mesned and advanced some steps ; and having made a respectful bow, the salute was returned in the same style by the learned man, who went and took his seat at the Mesned prepared for him. After his being seated, Aaly-verdy-qhan returned to his own Mesned, and resumed his seat ; and then he sent him a small pillow, one of the four always placed on the right and left of the Prince's Mesned. Immediately after, the Hoccas of Mir-mahmed-aaly-fazyl, of Naky-coly-qhan, of Doctor Hadi-qhan, and of Mirza-hossein-susvi, were brought in, and presented to them. Aaly-verdy-qhan himself never smoked, but he drank coffee, and it was distributed round.