The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-22

them and tore them with their hands like fam
ished hounds. Even the diplomatic entertainments
were very dreary. One member Of the English
Embassy had cook who waSa most amusing and
energetic person. Pole by bigth, but he could do
almost anything except dress dinner. HIS idea
Of cooking was to put quantity OF mutton and |
potatoes into large caldron and set 1t on to boil
till called for, while he went out Tor ride. This mess
was usually reduced to thick and smoking pulp
after It had been lett eight or ten hours the re
and the Polish cook, for some reason only known
to himself, then called II "Istu." He served It
smoking not In the caldron. being OF opinion that
the Formally Of dlshing up was unnecessary, and
then he mounted his horse again and did not turn
up again till dinner time next day. The British
diplomattst being weary OF this diet, after many
months trial OF it, and being unable to get anything
else, bethought him that he would dine one day
with his French colleague. The French diplomatist
being OF thrifty mind, usually cooked his own din
ner, and lived chiefly upon omelettes, but on this
occasion he could hardly do 90, - he was obliged
to receive his guest In full dress.l So he sent
for tho Englishman's Polish cook, and
ordered him to prepare his masters favorite
dishes, promising to reward him ~ q tomaun Ia
gold piece worth about ten shilings) for his SER
wees, The Polish cook replied that he well knew
Lis masters taste and that he never eat more than
one thing, 90 that the abominable mess which the
conscience, and ne could nnd no escape nom 1t
either out or at homo. The miseries of domestic
life at the legations In Teheran were, indeed, and
probably are, endless, and their establishments
very much resembled those OF old bachelors in
farce. The only way to get out of them was to hire
garden, which might be done In Summer, and
pitch tent In the midst Of II, for although q
country house might be had with the garden, 1t
was always q tumble down place which might
fall crumbling about the ears Of the tenant
suddenly and at any moment. It also
swarmed, for certain, with rats and mice
and poisonous spiders, with other vermin. But
eU THE GARDENS AROUND THHERAN b2
are truly delightful, and have quite an Arabian
Nights aspect about them. The only pleasant way
live In Persia Ia frankly to adopt the patrarchal
life and dwell under tent In the open air. Then
man with any spice Of romance about him will md
q subtle influence which nearly resembles love OF
the country and people creeping over him. Moth
ing equal the wild luxurance OF the vegetation
which springs up In q Persian garden at the nrst
glorious outburst OF the Asiatic Summer. Yester.
day perhaps the whole country from Jauris to
Bushire was in mourning. There was snow and
mud on the ground; the sky was Of pale lead
color. To-day the sun has risen In all the gorgeous
pomp Of Eastern splendor, and millions OF flowers
have sprung up miraculously to welcome him.
Day after day, from May to september, there win
hardly be cloud In the heavens and one after the
other come the reign OF the roses. The Persians
live with those roses. They sleep upon c0uohes Of
rose leaves dine lying down upon heaps OF them,
and make them into delicate preserves and cool
drinks. They have not the perfume Of the English
or American rose. None Of the Persian flowers
have much scent but their hues are OF incompar-
able beauty Indeed, all
COLORs AND DYES IN PERSIA
OF brilllancy never seen In any other country
and the produce OF the Persian looms Is almost as
beautiful as the productions Of nature there
Life In Persia. and especially In the capital, Is
thing which should be taken coolly. It Is an awful
| ordeal for q business man In Q hurry, for II ne
wants so small thing as new bolt to his door
the chances ten to one that his chief butler will
oonsn'. judicial astrologer to ascer-
tain that 1t Ii luckA daV- -bvrUso inu
it made; and II the smith who Is at
last sent for to put It on should happen to meet
| an old woman or q squirting man or Q red-haired
man when he Is setting out to perform the job, he
win assuredy turn back again ana walt for good
omen. Like most goddess and dissolute people. the
Persians are extremely superstitious, and
although, az rule, they do not believe in God,
they do believe very devouty In the devil, and in
bogies, giants and supernatural appearances.
Thus the gates Of the capital are painted all over
with rude drawings Of monsters, intended to
freighten away besieging army, and they, doubt.
less, would have the effect Of striking con.
sternation into the very souls Of Asiatic
invaders. There are griflns and dragons
and -shapeless creatures, with many heads
and eyes. among these military devices.
II Is probable that the manners and customs Of
the Persisns have changed very little since the
| time OF Cyrua It Is true that they neither know
how to draw the bow or speak the truth, there
being neither bows nor truth In the country. But
possibly, the description formerly given Of them
was merely romantic and friendly one. They
were and are bold horsemen, free nvers and great
braggarts. slt glla Zrga. iLoa..H O. L.- .9se.
CITIES OF REFUGE. ,
About two leagues from Teheran IL city Of
refuge. and there are several other cities Of refuge
In Persia. There murderer or an offender against
the government may take sanctuary and consider
himself out Of danger, unless he has very powerful
enemies. He must reside there in close hiding.
however, and never venture beyond certain limits
until the death Of the high priest who happened
to be In ONCE when he first took sanctuary. Then
he may come out, and is considered absolved from
his offences. unless 1t is worth the while OF any
private enemy to punish him. l.a es
MURDER IN ORDINARY CASES c7
| may be atoned by money fine, but 1t sometimes
happens that the relatives Of the murdered man,
who are his judges, will not accept compensation;
and then they are authorized to put him to death
in the same manner as he killed his victim The
behavior Of the relatives Of murdered men is
sometimes horribly bloodthirsty. Some time ago,
not very long, the son OF tailor was murdered
his throat was cut for few silver coins which he
carried about with him, and In due course the
murderer was found out He had made money
and become parsonage OF some consequence, so
he offered any terms to the tailor 20 buy himself
on, but the tailor would In no wise listen to him.
He cut that murderer's throat imbrued his hands
| In the murderers blood and then gasped out,
| "Now my heart Is cool" The Persians are ex-
| tremely fond Of picturesque language. Upon the
WHOLE perhaps, It is hardly safe to trust in the pro-
lection OF city OF refuge. fugitive 10 very often
kidnapped, and various devices are adopted to
| catch him by any one who really wants TO catch
| him. But there is the city Of refuge with mosque
| Annaa tn ha onv