The long continuance in office of his councillors added to the feeling of public security which his own strong personality had given to the country.
In appearance Nasr-ed-Din Shah was little changed since 1889, when his figure was a well-known one in Europe.

He showed the same alertness of step, brightness of look and manner, and smartness of dress, which distinguished him then.

In his Court he was a striking figure, in marked contrast to those about him, for it must be confessed that all in attendance showed some neglect of appearance which compared unfavourably with the _tout ensemble_ of their Sovereign.

This may possibly have been a subtle form of flattery, so that the Shah alone might catch the eye and be the 'observed of all observers'-- 'le Roi-Soleil'-- of the land of the Lion and the Sun.
No one probably saw more clearly than the Shah that the system of farming out the administration of the provinces from year to year is bad, both for the Treasury and the people; but he knew well that reform, to be sure and certain, must be slow and gradual, for change in Persia, with its ancient traditions and old memories, cannot be effected at one stroke.

He had done much to mitigate the evil of the present system by establishing telegraphic communication with all the centres of provincial government, thus placing himself in close touch with his subjects, even in the most remote parts.