Paris is the size of Isfahan, and the houses are so high that you would say all inhabited by astrologers. You will understand well that a city built in the air, with six or seven houses on each other, is popolosissima, and that when the people are all in the streets there is a beautiful mess. [...] Do not think for now I can talk to the bottom of the habits and customs of Europeans do not have a clue, I just had the time to be amazed.
The King of France is the most powerful prince in Europe. It does not have gold mines as the king of Spain his neighbor, but has more wealth for him, because derived from the vanity of his subjects, the most inexhaustible mines. The initiate and support we have seen great wars with no other funds to sell securities of honor, a prodigy of human pride and his troops were paid, his strongholds fitted, equipped its fleet.
Besides this king is a great magician: his empire also carries on the spirit of his subjects, makes them think as he wishes. If there is only a treasure in his million crowns, for which I need two, it is enough to persuade them that a shield is worth two, and they believe in it. If you must engage in a difficult war, and has no money, must not do is put their heads that a piece of paper money, and they are soon convinced. He comes to make them believe that it can cure them of all evil by touching them, so great is the strength and the power he has over the spirits. As I say this principle should not be surprised: there is another magician more powerful than he, who dominates his spirit no less than he over those of others. This wizard, called the pope, now makes him believe that three equals one, that the bread he eats is not bread or wine is not wine, and a thousand other things.
And to keep it in operation and does not make him lose the habit of believing, from time to time sent him some article of faith. Two years ago, sent a long written, called Constitution and threatening severe punishment would require this king and his subjects to believe in everything that was there. The thing he could against the king, who immediately surrendered and gave an example to his subjects, but some rebelled and said they would not believe anything of what was written. Proponent of this revolt, which divides the court, the whole kingdom and families, were women. This Constitution forbids them to read a book that all Christians say they came from heaven, and how their Koran. Women outraged at the outrage done to their sex, all rose up against the Constitution , and drew on their side on this occasion the men who do not want to have any privilege. However, it must recognize Mufti does not think that this so bad, and, for the great Ali, is believed to have been trained in the principles of our holy law. Since women are creating a lower than ours, and our prophets said that will not go to heaven, why should pry read a book that is made to teach the way of heaven? The king
I heard tell wondrous things that is hard to believe. It is said that while the war was to his neighbors, who had joined the league against him, was surrounded by countless enemies in his realm. He adds that they tried for more than thirty years and has not been able to find one, despite the tireless zeal of certain dervishes who enjoy his confidence. Quei nemici vivono con lui: sono alla sua corte, nella sua capitale, nel suo esercito, nei suoi tribunali; e tuttavia si dice che avrà il dolore di morire senza averli trovati. Si direbbe che esistono in generale, ma non come individui: è un corpo che non ha membra. Senza dubbio il cielo vuole punire questo principe di aver usato poca moderazione verso i nemici vinti, dal momento che gliene dà di invisibili, e tali che il loro genio e destino sono al di sopra del suo.
Potrei continuare a scriverti, facendoti conoscere cose ben lontane dal carattere e dal genio persiano. Una è la terra su cui viviamo entrambi, ma gli uomini del paese in cui mi trovo e quelli del paese dove sei tu sono assai diversi.
Parigi, il giorno 4 of the moon Rebiab 2, 1712 .
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