Storia do Mogor 130.1

130.1

Since we have spoken of Ja'far Khan, a great friend of the Christians and of the fathers, it is requisite to say something about his character. He was the most famous man of learning among the Moguls, first Secretary and Minister of State. He was so civil and courteous that he addressed everybody as 'sir,' and he was incapable of displaying anger. He was very polished, and his purity might be called a fetish. He declined to listen to coarse language in any shape. On one occasion it happened that his horse stopped a moment for a necessary purpose. He dismounted from his horse and took a seat in his palanquin, cloaking the feeling that caused this action by protesting that it was very hot. But it was a stranger thing he did when the architect brought him the plans of a fine palace that he intended to build. For, after asking as to various sections of the plan, he ended by inquiring about a certain place, where were depicted the privy retreats. The architect said it was the necessary place, whereupon he held his nostrils with his right hand, and puckering up his face, made a sign with his left to take the plan away, as if it smelt merely through having this painting on it.