The only known record of the Báb’s having been seen by a
European belongs to the period of His persecution when an English physician resident
in Tabríz, Dr. Cormick, was called in by the Persian authorities to pronounce
on the Báb’s mental condition. The doctor’s letter, addressed to a fellow
practitioner in an American mission in Persia, is given in Professor E. G.
Browne’s “Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion.” “You ask me,” writes
the doctor, “for some particulars of my interview with the founder of the sect
known as Bábís. Nothing of any importance transpired in this interview, as the
Báb was aware of my having been sent with two other Persian doctors to see
whether he was of sane mind or merely a madman, to decide the question whether
he was to be put to death or not. With this knowledge he was loth to answer any
questions put to him. To all enquiries he merely regarded us with a mild look,
chanting in a low melodious voice some hymns, I suppose. Two other siyyids, his
intimate friends, were also present, who subsequently were put to death with
him, besides a couple of government officials. He only deigned to answer me, on
my saying that I was not a Musulman and was willing to know something about his
religion, as I might perhaps be inclined to adopt it. He regarded me very
intently on my saying this, and replied that he had no doubt of all Europeans
coming over to his religion. Our report to the Sháh at that time was of a
nature to spare his life. He was put to death some time after by the order of
the Amír-Nizám, Mírzá Taqí Khán. On our report he merely got the bastinado, in
which operation a farrásh, whether intentionally or not, struck him across the
face with the stick destined for his feet, which produced a great wound and
swelling of the face. On being asked whether a Persian surgeon should be
brought to treat him, he expressed a desire that I should be sent for, and I accordingly
treated him for a few days, but in the interviews consequent on this I could
never get him to have a confidential chat with me, as some government people
were always present, he being a prisoner.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘Introduction to
Dawn-Breakers)