Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-10-23
coNTtyUED.O


The women Of Persia, like the wo-
men of all Mahomedan countries, are
in a state Of abject sufering and degra-
da'ion. Indeed they are but little ele-
waited above the brute bought and sold
in the market, they are hurried away
to the harem, imprisoned within its
walls, and there compelled to wait or
the caprices of their ty rant lords. No
participation of tender feeling is enjoy
ed by them; no ties of love and friend
ship are formed--that empire of the
heart, over which, in christian coun-
tries, woman holds an indisputable sway,
is there thing unheard of-such is the
difference between Mahomedanism and
Christianity.
The writer in the Quarterly Review
before qaoted, observes that the modern
IPersians ran scarcely be said to pos
sess any peculiar national character; the
original traits having been deiaced by
the various revolutions in the govern
meht the frequent change of masters,
and the introduction of new systems of
morals and religion. One characters
Tic, however, reigns among them uni-
versally, and that is, an utter disregard
for truth; in which respect, they have
mournfully departed from the rectitude
of their ancestors in the days of Cyrus.
The despotism under which they live,
and which has so long reigned triumph
ant, has impaired to their character
tint Of haughtiness and cruelty, which
nothing but the Gospel can remove
They have all taste for horsemanship;
all are much given to storytelling, aud
universally they are extremely fond of
show. To their religion, manners, and
customs, they are not supers,itiously at
,tached, as their neighbors the Turks.
| Some notices ofthe reigning monarch
'and the heir apparent, viii conclude this
division OF the subject.
Ta.tah Ali Shah assembled the throne
in 1898. Of all the princes, since the
days of KoIli Khan, he is the least war
Ike. In his character there is nothing
amiable, and much that is odious: cruel,
Tor he caused the murder of Hail bra
him, one Of the most respectable per-
I-sons in the empire, by whose influence
also he was raised to the throne; ayari-
eious, for he sold the Office of Vizier to
his own son for 100000. sterling. OF his
Epersonal appearance, Mr.. Kinmer gives
the following account: "Nothing can
IeXcecd the profession of ornamental
iinery with which the palace and person
Of Fattah Ali Shah are surrounded. His
throne, his clothing, his arms, and the
Iroyai insignia, exhibit one blaze of
Ipearls and diamonds, rubies and enc
;ralds. His face is obscured by an inn
ltnense beard and mustactrios, which are
kept very black, and it is only when lie
talks and smiles that plymouth is disco
vered He is said to have ataste for
literature, and to write verseso
| Abbas Mira, the prince Of one of the
northern provinces, is the heir apparent
to the crown, and will undoubtedly sue
coed his father; since the Emperor A
lexander is engaged by treaty to sup
port his title. Ills character ia the very
reverse Of his fathers: plain and sim
! pie in his dress and manners, his whole
attention is turned to the improvement
Of his troops in discipline, and tactics
He possesses that rare quality in mo-
dora Persian, OF telling the truth, and
| when the governor Of Tebriz had de-
ceived one of the English embassy BY
telling him direct falsehood, the prince
| ordered him to so and unsay what he
had told him.
II. What has been done towards
Spreading the gospel in Persia.
Asyetthere is no missionary establish
ment in any part of this country, but e.
Yer since the researches of Buchanan
gave q new aspect to the missionary eff
tcris of the age, the eyes Of the chris
tan world baYe been directed 10 it. 10
tienry Martyr, now designated in Per-
sia by the title "Man Of God" is due
the praise of first entering the field. Of
preparing The way, and opening the door
for the introduction Of the gospel
Gladly would : pause, to pay a tribute
to the memory O. this beloved martyr to
tie rt ~. on of .Icsus--to him, who nobly
made an offering of his trancendent ta-
lent, aud sacrificed his life, to carry SAL
walton TO the blinded devotees Of the Pro-
Phet--to him, who, like an angel ofmer-
cy flew to the dark abodes of oppres-
| SION and moral desolaton, tarried long
enough to say "Glory to God in the
highest, on earth peace, good will TO
men," and return to his native seat
But forbear-his works, better mon
umcrt, remain; and the seed which he
has now springing up we trust unto