Translation of French Foot-Notes of the Dawn-Breakers/Chapter IV
CHAPTER IV[edit]
Page 97, Note I[edit]
"In crowds they gathered to hear the teacher. He occupied in turn all the pulpits of Isfáhán where he was free to speak publicly and to announce that Mírzá ‘Alí-Muhammad was the twelfth Imám, the Imám Mihdi. He displayed and read his Master's books and would reveal their eloquence and their depth, emphasizing the extreme youthfulness of the seer and telling of his miracles." (Comte de Gobineau's "Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l'Asie Centrale," p. 130.)
Page 99, Note 1[edit]
'Behold the land of Sád (Isfáhán) which in this world of appearances is the greatest of lands. In every one of its schools, numerous slaves are found who bear the name of savants and contestants. At the time of the
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election of members, even a sifter of grain may put on the garb of primacy (above the others). It is here that the secret of the word of the Imáms, regarding the Manifestation, shines forth: “ ‘The lowliest of the creatures shall become the most exalted, and the most exalted shall become the most debased.’ ” (“The Bayán Persan,” vol. 4, p. 113.)
Page 101, Note 1 “The sojourn of Bushrú’í in Isfáhán proved a triumph for the Báb. The conversions that he performed were numerous and brilliant; but, such are the ways of the world, that they drew down upon him the fierce hatred of the official clergy to which he was obliged to yield and he withdrew from that city. In fact, the conversion of Mullá Muḥammad Taqi-i-Harátí, a jurist of the first rank, brought their fury to a climax, because overflowing with zeal as he was, he would go every day to the mambar where he talked to men openly of the greatness of the Báb to whom he gave the rank of Ná’ib-i-kháṣṣ of the twelfth Imám.” (A. L. M. Nicolas’ “Siyyid ‘Alí-Muḥammad dit le Báb,” p. 255.)
Page 103, Note 1 “He passed several days in that capital but he did not appear in public. He limited himself to confidential conversations with those who visited him. He thus received many and won over to his doctrine a fairly large number of enquirers. Each one wished to see him, or to have seen him, and the King, Muḥammad Sháh and his Minister, Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí, true Persians as they were, did not fail to have him brought before them. He laid before them his doctrine and gave to them the Books of the Master.” (Comte de Gobineau’s “Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l’Asie Centrale,” p. 131.)