Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-07-02
4 PERSIAN GARDEN-PARTY.
How the Persian Ladies' Dress, Eat
and Amuse Themselves.

and Amuse Themselves.
ny A GUEST.
had been invited by the wife of tho chief
banker of Shiraz to spend n day with her
and party Of ladies at q village about five
miles from the city.
On the day fixed left the town soon after
sunrise, and attended by two servants, rode
through one of its ruined gates the wQy un-
der il was lined with sleeping soldiers who
raised their heads to look at n Feringhec
woman, who is still an object of curiosity.
Having crossed the bed of a river now quite
dry. we rode for three miles between high
mud walls, over which could be seen the
gorgeous scarlet flowers of the pomegranate,
Of which acres are grown in this part. We
constantly met droves of donkeys laden with
rhubarb for the market; this grows wild on
the neighborng hills II was now very hot,
and / was not sorry TO SEQ small door in
one of the wells, nt which a crowd of ser
wants were waiting, who at once pressed for
ward apparently to assist, but in reality TO
satisfy their curiosity. / was now taken
through large compound, with the usual
tank and trees in the centre, round the walls
Of which were tied about thirty white don
KEYS; these were the steeds of the guests
and nre OF considerable value, often costing
MS much ms n good horse. On leaving the
compound, black servant came forward and
gave me a large bouquet Of roses very taste
fully arranged l was now joined 10y the
confidential women of the hostess, and taken
to a room TO change my habit for a cool dress.
This done, / was conducted into the presence
Of my hostess and, after grand ceremony
of bowing and endless fowery speeches, we
all sat down on very soft cushions, cmbroid-
cred with gold thread (such thing as a chair
was not TO be seem. After a little conyersa-
ton a cloth was spread on the carpets and
dishes, containing all the varieties of sweets
for which the country is famous were ar
ranged in long rows. / may mention rhu-
barb was cut in thin slices and eaten with
salt quite raw. Melon seeds, salted, were al-
so very plentiful, and pistaohio nuts were
strown over most dishes. Several sorts of
sherbet with Jumps of snow, were handed
round, and, at intervals, the kalian or water
pipe, made its appearance, and the Indies
took frequent draws at it. The guests hav-
ing eaten as many of the sweets as they felt
inclined carefully tied up some more in
small cloth, ready for eating from time to
time. We then entered into IA very lively
conversation chiefly consisting in my answer
ing the numerous questions as to my dress,
the cost Of it, the way my husband treated
me, what money l had, etc. One elderly la
dy advised me when wanted a new dress to
wait until my husband came in for his din
ner, and then to ask for il. II not granted,
TO scream and cry, until the hungry man
gave permission. This is believe, what
many Of them do, but l fancy it has not al
ways the desired effect. They questioned
me very closely as TO the mode of punish
ment adopted by husbands to their wives
they. most Of them, had very intimate rela-
tions with stick, and hardly believed my
denial that my case was not 30. Another Ia
dy expressed great surprise at my being able
10 read and write Persian. She wondered
what use it possibly could be TO a woman, as
the payment of a small sum to q scribe would
get letter far better written. l said, But
suppose you should want to write something
you did not wish every ono hear about p
This she thought was not likely, as every
thing is openly discussed before servants,
and by them carried to the bazaars. The en-
trance of a Jew and his son playing on the
guitar interrupted our chat, and we listened
for an hour TO some of the odes of Hafz, af-
ter which a collection was made, and the lib
erality or stinginess of each freely comment
ed upon. We were informed that breakfast
would be ready in half an hour.
will here give n description of my hostess
and her dress. She wore q bright red satin
skirt, richly embroidered with gold lace it
was very full aud short, barely reaching to
her knees a loose jacket of blue velvet, also
much trimmed-this time with silver lace
the sleeves were made of Cashmere shawl,
buttoned by about twenty small steel buttons
She wore several necklaces most of them
very massive, and studded with fine tur-
duoises. On her head she wore a white
shawl, with a band of jewels round her fore
head and at one side large pearl star. She
had on both arms at least a dozen bracelets
some handsome ones, some only bands of
colored glass Her feet were covered with
coarse white socks; her shoes green leather,
with scarlet heels. Some of the ladies wore
bright-red trousers reaching TO the ankle !;
but this was quite the exception. They wore
a long veil reaching from head to foot, gen.
orally made of some smart print or muslin
ought to mention that every lady wore n
small leather case round her neck, containing
some earth from Mecca and verses from the
Koran. The faces of my hostess and friends
were much decorated, the eyebrows broad
| ened and carried quite across the nose. Some
had small designs tattooed on the cheeks.
The hair is very long and thick, generally
| dyed red it is worn plated, in many thin
tails, twisted with gold thread. The hands
are wen shaped, but nails and palms are
| stained dark red.
Soon after noon breakfast was announced.
Two slaves brought a silver jug containing
rose water which was poured over our hands
we then sat down at a cloth, spread rs usual
on the floor. Large dishes of rice, boiled to
perfection, fowls and meat cooked in every
manner possible all dishes highly colored
with saffron, and very much favored with
mint fruit with mutton, dates with eggs,
everything very greasy large fiat cakes of
bread which served for plates. The guests
| plunged their hands into the rice, tore piece
of meat off where they liked, and ate very
much and very fast. My knife and fork
were much approved of, as keeping ones
hands clean. Several tried to use them, but
as they had q very indefinite notion of the
use of the knife, was not surprised to see
one lip bleeding. My hostess tore of all the
choicest bits, and piled them on my plate,
sweets and meats all at once. We had sher.
bet-and-water passed round in wooden bowls.
was not invited to drink with them, but q
glass bowl holding about quart, was put be.
fore me, containing most excellent sherbei
made of lines Every one, having eaten
plentifully, stood up and thanked the hostess,
who led the way into a large cool room with
tank in the centre cushions were laid
about, and then all soon composed themselves
for their siesta, and for two hours everything
was quiet. On waking up, rose-water wat
again brought and brown powder, which
the ladies busted over their hands and faces
We then went TO another room, where We
found a band of musicians, who played in q
very monOtOnous way for some time; i
seemed TO give great satisfaction to most Oi
those present. who clapped their hands anC
screamed for more. A collection was agaiI
made for the performers. Servants entered
with trays of cherries, plums and nuts the
hostess gave a portion to each guest, the
moro favored ones getting about double.