Rica to Usbek in ***

I was in my room the other day when I saw an extraordinarily dressed dervish enter ; his beard descended to his belt of rope ; he was barefoot ; his habit was gray, crude, and pointed in some places ; the whole appeared so bizarre to me that my first reaction was to send for a painter to make a portrait.

He at once made me a little speech in which he informed me that he was a man of merit, and a Capuchin besides. [1] I have been told, monsieur, he added, that you soon return to the Persian court, where you hold a distinguished rank ; I have come to ask your protection, and entreat you to obtain for us from the king a small settlement in the vicinity of Casbin [2] for two or three religious. Father, I said, so you desire to go to Persia ? I, monsieur ? he said. I shall be sure not to ; I am a provincial [3] here, and I would not trade my lot for that of all the Capuchins in the world. Then what on earth are you asking me for ? It’s just that if we had this hospice, he replied, our Fathers in Italy would send two or three of their religious there. You know them of course, these religious, I said. No, monsieur, I do not know them. Well, I’ll be ! Then why do you care to send them to Persia ? It is a fine project to have two Capuchins breathe the air of Casbin : that will be very useful to Europe and to Asia ; it is most necessary to engage monarchs in this. In other words, it is colonies you want ! Go : you and your ilk are not apt for being transplanted, and you will do well to continue creeping in the places where you have spawned yourselves.

Paris this 15^th day of the moon of Rhamazan 1713