The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-05-21
SLAVERY IN PERSIA.

The best kind of slaves are the Ha-
basshis, or so-called Abyssinians.
These are of high type. The lips are
thin, the color light brown; there is
often a distinct red in the cheeks; the
hair is long, often nearly straight; both
males and females have considerable
pretensions to good looks. As much as
$50 to 9100 may be given for healthy
Young Habasshi girl. As a rule, these
girls are bought, not as servants, but as
wives. Young Habasshis of both sexes
are purchased by the grandees of Per-
sia as playmates and confidential ser
wants for their sons and daughters.
The girls become the confdantes of
their young mistresses, and ultimately
occupy the position of housekeepers or
wardrobe women. The young Habas-
shi boys are the playfellows and fellow
students Of their youthful masters, Oft
en- fulfilling the duties of whipping
boys / have seen the little slave and
playfeilow OF the lal-u-dowlsh. the
son of the Kings eldest son, child of
3, wrestling with his infant master, to
the great amusement of his father.
The two children seemed quite like
brothers, and | was told that the only
way of keeping the young Prince in or
der was to threaten the slave with a
whipping. That little black boy, some
day or other, viii be a great parsonage,
as, in all human probability, his master
will be Shah of Persia. From this
class of slaves are taken the eunuchs
(fCw nowadays) maintained by the no.
bility. The few eunuch children i'm
ported are eagerly purchased at double
or treble the price OF ordinary slaves.
As a rule the Habasshis are delicate,
and feel the severe winter of Central
ard Northern Persia. The greatest
care is taken of them. They do no real
work, and it is not expected of them.
They are well clad, and often the mas
money on the dress of a favorite slave.
Sometimes & Persian, by fall in
rank or through money losses, becomes
unable to keep his slaves. Does he
sell them? No; that would be too de-
grading He simply frees them, and,
as a rule, the slave is made freed
man very much against the grain. The
Persian slave, then, is treated more
like a child than a slave. His master
does not hesitate to mate him with his
own daughter; and frequently a prepos
sessing slave may become the legiti-
mate mistress OF a household or even
favorite wife, ruling her less fortunate
white rivals. The servants have to
take their chances; the warmcst corner,
the best food, the most solid and stylish
clothing are kept for the slave.
Eunuchs are owned only in the
houses of the great and rich. Save in
the harems of the Shah and his sons,
one eunuch rules only over the flock of
ladies, servants, slaves and children,
who are all under his absolute author
ity. | have only known two white
eunuchs in a long experience of Persia,
and these men had probably been po-
litical offenders or the sons of political
criminals. Political pretenders are al
so frequently blinded for in the East a
blind King cannot reign The cuuuoho
generally have their quarters in the
harems themselves, and as a rule they
seldom quit their precincts. When
they do they are treated with great
respect, on account of the powerful in
huence they WELD.
The ladies themselves always treat
their guardian with the greatest re-
spect, address him as Master" and
invite him to be seated. Like the high
officers OF state, he carries a long wand
of Office, and this wand is often en-
crusted with gems. lie often attends
the daily council of his master if he be
a provincial Governor, and there his
advice IS listened to with respect; and
he takes precedence of all except the
minister, Vice Governor or Wuzeer.
OF course he plunges his hand into the
political pie, much to his own advan-
tage. He never refuses bribe. He
may do nothing for it, but his hand is
ever open. Ihe second eunuch of the
heir apparent Of Persia is a good horse
man, Il favorite boon companion and a
clever shot, generally popular as the
prince of good fellows. But the eunuch
ages soon. He is an old man at 40;
and once seen he is never to be mista-
ken-his sunken shoulders, his beard
less face and his hollow cough mark
him out distinctly.
In Persia slaves are well fed, well
clothed and well treated; the people
look on them as equals, not Interiors;
color is no degradation; they are not
put to hard labor, the law is the same
practically for them as for others.
Mothers are not separated from their
children, or husbands from wives.
They soon become absorbed by mar
riage among the Persians, and l can
fancy no happier lot for the en-
slaved black than to be sold in Persia.
London ST. James G0zette.