New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-15
PERSIA.
SIX MONTHS IN PIERS

SIX MONTHS IN PERSIA. BY EDWARD STACK: Bengal
CIVIL Service. 2 vols l2mo PIP. w., 294 Y' S1o'
G.. i. Putnams sons
MIR Stack mado hls home in Persia between
the months of February and August 1881. entering
the country by way of the Persian Gulf making an
extensive excursion from Bushire southwark. and
then crossing by way of Karman, Yazd, lspahan
and Teheran 10 a small port on the Caspian, where
he took "a Russian steamer for the Volga. lie jour
neyed apparently for 10 other object than change
of climate and the indulgence of a laudable curl
olty-two motives which the Persians were wholly
unable 10 comprehend, that although he was hos
pitably treated he was everywhere looked upon as
an accomplished liar Besides an acquaintance with
the Persian language, he had the usual qualIfica-
tions OF an English traveller, love Of adventure,
persistence stolid endurance of hardship common
sense courage. assurance. and contempt Tor the
weather With these eQui pmcnts and one or two
mue-loads of guns, tea, bedding, extract of beef
flannel shirts aud Cookies pills, suit of tweed and
pith hat, the Englishman is ready TO traverse any
sort Of rude country, and 20 bring away information
touching the game. the government, and the char
ac.er of the people. Travelling in Persia is not
holiday amusement for ordinary persons. The high
ways can hardly be called roads, and the adVentur-
Gus stranger must depend largely upon chance Tor
his shelter, ana upon his own resources for food.
The only mode OF conveyance is in the saddle. The
tracks over the mountains steep that they may
often be described as stone stairs, and SO marrow
+bot when vack-trains meet them 1t is sometimes
necessary TO unload the mules which arc descend
inc and throw their burdens down the slope.
MIR Stack had caravan of six mules and
five horses, with muleteeIs, cook and other
servants Good mutton, fowls, bread, cheese, but
ter1plk and sour curds easily purchased on the
march; the mutton. however was only TO be had ID
the towns. Il always called upon the governors OF
the large towns" he writes "and procured letters
for the road from them whom necessary. Provided
with such letters the traveller will find no difficulty
In inducing the headmen of villages to give him
lodgings The Persisns a sociablo people, and 1t
ia easy TO fratenze with them. Let the traveller
only Law aside unreasonable jealousy for his own
dignity, and be viii find agreeable companions in
most of his hating places"
The traveller who enters Persia with hts head full
of poetical associations will have many illusions
rudeIy dspelled. OF Persian art In particular. the
specimens are most disappointing. Manchester
goods are In general use. and the colored labels
taken off cotton prints aud employed for wall deco
ration. embedded in tho plaster Candy trays OF
English manufacture are much liked. The charms
of an entertainment to which Mr.. stackwas in
cited by tho Governor of Saidabad thus de-
ecnbed;
A tray, placed on the floor. contained q bowl OF
sour Uuil k and spinach, some bread, few sweet
meats, aud bottle OF arrack with dirty rag as q
stopper. Tho bottle had Onoo contained pettef