New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MODERN PERSIA.

Dr Wills lived in Persia for fifteen years from
1866 TO ashland one OF the medicai onioe,' u
the British Telegraph Department. ana as pnysf
clan in general practice, had every opportunity 10
heco,ne intimately acquainted with Persian lie
and manners There is not dull page In his DOCK
1t ia in truth. so animated as to be occasonaly
omewhat flippant. There are no heavy disqusi-
lions ON forms Of government or political reiaons'
the volume Is spirited chronicle OF everyday iiie
and of customs and traits which seem strange anu
riouant to the outsider. humble reviewer WIN
has never been in Persia may not perhaps 10 POI
mitted to declare that he doesn't put aosoiu'e ia'
IN some of the lively Doctors put he cal"
not but read the following with mild lncreouu'y
"A story was told me by the late DIR. Fagergren'
Svede IN Persian employ. whohad been twenty-five
wears in Shiraz, to tho effect that scorpions. when
they see no chance of escape commit suicide anu
he told me that whom one was surrounded by
circle of live Goals II rau round three times anu 'neh
stunc itself to DEATH did not credit this suppos-
ino that tho insect was probably scorched, ana 80
died. I happened Que day to catch an enornions
scornion of tho black variety. In Persia tney sro
of two kinds black, and light green or green'sn
yellow: the black variety being supposed 10 DO
,puch the mora yenomous. The full-grown scorpl-
nm. GENERALLY are from two to three inches long
have seen ono five inches when extended from 'he
tin OF the claws to the sting. but no was pnonoi0
nal. Tho ono caught was very large ana u .ry
the accuracy of what supposed to be popular
superstition l prepared IN my courtyar circio OF
live charcoal q yard in diameter. cooieu 'no
bricks with water so that the scorpion could not
ha .corcbed and tilted him from tho fnger-glass in
which he was imprisoned unhurt into tho centre OF
tba oman spsce he stood still for moment, them to
v ACCOMPLISHMENTS ran rapidly round the circle three
times came back to the centre turned up his tall
( here the sting ISL and deliberately by tree blows
stabbed Or stung himself In tho head he was dead
m an instant OF this curious scene was an eye
witness, and have seen 1t repeated bv friend In
exactly the same way since. on my telling the
thing. and with exactly the same result. For the
truth OF this statement am prepared to vouch."
DIR. Wills represents the Persian as an easygolng
person with q wish to make things pleasant gem
orally. He is obigiug. gracious in hospitality
honest after fashion, likes foreigners, ana IL nc
be high official does not cut threats and oastnado
more than picturesque Persan is expected 10 no.
He IA the best of sons, hesitating even to
sit in the presence of his honorsd father
never marrying contrary to his mothers adj
vice. and taking particular pleasure in
the company of his motber-In-law The Persian
mother is devoted to her children and she is to the
last day of her life the most important member OF
tho household Generosity is characteristic OF this
people many of the rich having regular
pensioners among the poor Servants ana
slaves are treated with such great kindness
that to give an untrustworthy slave his liberty and
lat him earn his own living is the chief punish
ment that can be administered. A Persian when
he becomes poor win sell his shirt before he VIII
cell his slave Persians courteous. and they are
clean, Washing themselves and their garments ire
uuently and enjoying neat and handsome ATTIRE
Ill If f,ai fin
One of the most dsagrseable traits of this people
is procrastination They always exhibit dislike to
written contract binding the parties to fixed date;
and In short, they pass through life on the principle
of snever do to-day what you can put off till to-
morrow A tendency to poetry" is another trait
of the native. "Afrer time" says the Doctor,
:" one learns to mentally discount the statements
made by the natives, and habit generally enables
one to do this correctly"
All ranks of society exageerate and draw the
long bow curious instance OF this occurred 10
khiraz was cOnversing on the subject OF hunt
inc with the kings son. and large circle of court
lers and priests filed the ROOM =,
The prince narrated his exploits In hunting the
antelope the previous day, and gravey stated that
while pursuing pair of . ahu." when riding very
resiive horss that he had. his heads broke.
What should you nave done doctor .
al should have tried to stick on as long as the
ground was good, and, expecting an accident nave
awaited IT." T., \,
n.
aaid leaut forward, and unclasping M belt,
placed 1t Ia the horses mouth as bride. and thus
directing him, pursued my game and Killed Dotn
All The circle applauded las of course they were
bound to do. was silent 49,,
aYou don't mean to say You don't believe that'
said the prince.
aspsak out il you don't shan't be offended in
We'll, your RICHNESS I don't believe it,"
sOuite right, darogh bood" ut was liel. IN
blnshingly replied his Royal Hghness. and burst
into fit of laughter quite unabashed the circle o.
courtisrs, of course. were convulsed.
The giving of the lie IS no insult ID Persia
among the natives common expression is. i9 .,
asseverate the statement by an oath. no indigna
ton whatever being shown at the charge.
Education Of simple sort is universal in Persia
Every village has school, the teacher being paid
at the extravagant rate of from a sxpence to
shilling mouth. Only the three Rs are attempted
caligraphy receiving special attention. rs goo
writer Is always sure of his living in the iant
of Saadi. The grown-up vilIsger, however muci
the bastinado may have enlivened his school days
generally remembers little of mis- learning beyon'
q few prayers and passages from the Koran, wit
some scraps of poetry. Everybody quotes poetry
from governor to slave and in the midst OF tn
,rost mosaic talk. DR.. Wills records tina
bs seryants would often pass their evenings listen
ing to the defamation of verses of Firdusi as in
toned by the cook. Those few urchins intende
for the priesthood for the law, or for medicine g
TO college after leaving school. There they stud.
Arabic, read commentaries on the Koran and
great deal of poetry. and spend the rest OF thei
time in sitting obsequousy at the feet ard learn
ing the ways of the local heads of lay
aud religion. In Tsheran education moreambitiou
Il administered in college manned by English an
French professors. Here Government employees
diplomats, and the chief officers of the army arr
instructed
The ability to write a letter and read the Kora
I'm Arabic) without comprehension of one word
ali that most Persian gam from their study
Only the daughters of the rich and learne
nre taught. Some of them are fond
~ x,oafrv and ayen write IL. and they q