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misery; snow
and neglect now evoked nothing but death。
I’d already learned about some of what had befallen my relatives through a
letter my Enishte sent to me in Tabriz。 In that letter; he invited me back to
Istanbul; explaining that he was preparing a secret book for Our Sultan and
that he wanted my help。 He’d heard that for a period while in Tabriz; I made
books for Ottoman pashas; provincial governors and Istanbulites。 What I did
then was to use the money advanced by clients who’d placed manuscript
orders in Istanbul to locate miniaturists and calligraphers who were frustrated
by the wars and the presence of Ottoman soldiers; but hadn’t yet left for
Kazvin or another Persian city; and it was these masters—plaining of
poverty and neglect—whom I missioned to inscribe; illustrate and bind
the pages of the manuscripts I would then send back to Istanbul。 If it weren’t
for the love of illustrating and fine books that my Enishte instilled in me
during my youth; I could have never involved myself in such pursuits。
9
At the market end of the street; where at one time my Enishte had lived; I
found the barber; a master by trade; in his shop among the same mirrors;
straight razors; pitchers of water and soap brushes。 I caught his eye; but I’m
not sure he recognized me。 It delighted me to see that the head…washing basin;
which hung by a chain from the ceiling; still traced the same old arc; swinging
back and forth as he filled it with hot water。
Some of the neighborhoods and streets I’d frequented in my youth had
di
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