The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-02-12
From the Lowell journal.
RPLENDOR OF the
PERSIAN KING.


This old Asiauc Kingdom, which has out
lasted SO many empires and kingdoms, both in
the east, and in the west, sad which formed
one ol the four great monarchies Of prophecy,
and whose shah still retains the proud title Of
king of kings, which lac bore in the days Of
Cyrus and Chosroes, 10 likely to be Of consid-
erable interest for sometime to come, as the
battle ground Of the Russians and English in
the East. The modern Persians are an ex-
ceeding interesting people. They are said to
be the handsomest race of men living, with
fine olive complexious and black lpstrous eyes.
The Italian himself is no match for them in
subtlety, cunning and discrimination They
excel in poetry all the nations of the East. In
the early part of the nth century, in the reign
of Shah Abbas, Persia was one Of the first
powers in Asia. An Italian traveller by the
name cf Pietro della Vale, resided in Persia
for long period during the reign of this shah,
and the account which he gives Of the Persians
of tina. day in his voluminous travels is most
entertaining. The court Of the King Of Per-
sia is surrounded with all the pomp and splen-
dor Of the Arabian Nights. Capt. John Mall
colin, in his sketches of Persia thus describes
the situation Of Teheran, the modern capital.
He says, .sThe first view we had Of Teheran,
the modern capital Of Persia, was very inn
posing tits situated near the foot of Elboorz,
mountain Of the great range which stretches
from Europe to the utmost part Of Asia. This
range would appear high were it not for De-
mavend, whose lofty peak rising above the
clouds, covered with eternal srow, gives a
diminutive appearance to everything in its
vicinity.
We have seen Demavend at a distance Of
100 miles from Its base, but it increased ir.
magnifcence as we advanced; and those
amongst US who delighted in the pages of
Firdousee "a Persian pcet,) planned an early
visit to this remarkable mountain, whose sum-
nit the poet describes as far from the abode Of
men and near to Heaven"
At short distance from our camp we OBJ
served several mounds Of earth and ruined
manned of the famous Reyes Of Robit-the
Reyes Of the Greeks and the Rhe of the Per-
SLAMS. While all who had imagination and a
love Of antiquity, dwelt with delight on the
prospect of ascending Demavend, and visiting
the ruins of Rhe, the men Of business looked
only to Teheran, which appeared to me to offer
little to the view which was either grand OF
pleasing. One palace alone attracted any por-
ton Of my admiration. 1t stood near the base
of the mountain Elboorz, on commanding
site, and was every wav suited for royal resi-
dence" Capt. Malcolm gives the following
graphic account of his Interview with Feth
Ali Shah, the king of kings:
Everything beng arranged we proceeded
toward ssthe threshold Of the worlds glory''
on the morning Of the 18th of November, in
the year of our Lord, 1900. We were all
dressed in our best attire. A crowd had as
sembled near the house of Hagee Ibrahim, and
the streets were filled with gazers at the stran-
gers. The infantry part of the escort, with
their flies and drums, and all the HindostaL ce
public servants, in scarlet and gold, preceded
the Elchee, who rode a beautiful Arabian
horse, richly caparisoned, but entirely in the
English style; he was followed by the gentle
men Of his suite and cavalry escort. When
we came within half mile Of the palace all
was silence and order; it vi he state of Asia
with the discipline OF Europe. We passed
through rows Of men and horses, and even the
latter appeared as il afraid to shake their heads
Many persons whom we saw in the first square
Of the citadel. before we entered the palace,
were richly dressed; and some Of the horses
were decked out with brides, saddles. and trap
pings Of great value; but it was not until we
passed the last gate Of the palace, and came
into the garden in front Of the Kings hall Of
audience high ornamented and spacious
building, that we could fo'm any idea OF the
splendor Of the Persian court.
A canal flowed in the centre OF the garden
which supplied number Of fountains; to the
right and left of which were broad paved
walks, and beyond these were rows Of trees.
Between the trees and the high wall encircling
the palace, were files Of matchbox men drawn
up, and within the avenues from the gate to the
hall Of audience all the prices, mobiles, cour-
ucAS eAsu oaucSAS "a Seotc3 WcIc WdIsudiieu III
seperate lines, according to their rank, from
the lowest officer Of the kings guard who oc-
cupied the place nearest the entrance, to the
heir apparent Abbas Meetzs, who stood on the
right Of his brother and within few PAGES Of
the throne.
There was not one person In al his array
who had not gold hilted sword, cashmere
shawl ronnd his csp and another ronnd his
waist. Many Of the mobiles and princes we've
magnifcently dressed, but all was forgotten as
soon as the eye rested on the KING.
He appeared to be little above the middle
size, bis age little more than thirty, his com-
plexon rather fair, his features were regular
and fine, with an expression desoting intelii-
geHce. His beard attracted much Of our at
tention, it was full, biack k and glossy, ant fow-
ed to his middle. His cress bafaed all des-
cription. The ground Of his robes was white.
but ne was 50 covered with jewels OF an ex-
traordinary size, and their splendor, from his
being seated where the rays Of the sun played
upon them, was 90 dazzling, that it was i'm.
possible 10 distinguish the minute parts which
combined to give such amazing brilliancy to
his whole figure.
The two chief ofiicerso of ceremonies, who
carried goided sticks stopped twice, IS they
advanced toward the throne, to make low