The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-08
THE SHAH OF PERSIA.
Life of the Great Oriental Ruler in the Cap
ital of Teheran.

ital of Teheran.
London World.
Probably the most restless man on the face of
the earth rs Nassir-ed- din, Shah of Persia, Asy
lum of the Universe, and King of Kings. These
two titles, as seriously given to the absolute
monarch Of Persia as we apply the more modest
term Majesty, are not inappropriate, for from
the royal fat there is no appeal. Almost
Immediately his accession the Shah had the
good fortune to escape determined attempt at
assassination made on him by band of fanatics
of the Baabi sect. These men, Communists in
the vilest sense Of the term. under the exciting
influence of persecution made bold and nearly
successful attack on the life of the Persian mon
arch 1t was happily frustrated, and it is
needless to add that the unfortunate fanatics
were cruelty put to death. The various
heads of the government departments
petitioned for and obtained the privilege of end
ing their sufferngs; and thus the great noble
men of the kingdom put the poor wretches out
of their misery in the public square by sword,
dagger or pistol. This near escape from death
has caused his Majesty Nassired-din to change
his abode with curious frequency He still
breads the knife of the fanatic. Another reason
sferx the frequent and sudden movements of the
aSARh is his intense devotion to the chase. When
hunting and fshing-and here be it re-
marked that his Majesty is rstrate shot with
the rAe--the King of Persia is happy; and, in
fact, the nomadic existence of his ancestors is
almost necessary to him. Swarthier than most
of his subjects of middle height, his appearance
is SO we'll known since his visits to Europe that
it hardly needs description Very short-sghted
he is seldom without his spectacles, and until he
opens his mouth he gives rather the idea of the
mild Hindoo. But when he speaks in his loud
and imperious way ali idea of nildness
disappears. The loud tone, however, is
more the effect of constant habits of
command and the custom of addressing his
Majesty in a low tone, that is observed on ali oc-
casions, probably tends to make it the more
noticeable by contrast. Although the King of
Persia has larger collection Of jewels than any
other monarch, save on state occasions, such as
the public salaam of the new year, he very sell
dom displays any of them He is strikingly
plain in his dress The full skirted frock coat of
black cloth, or at times the finest cashmere
shawl, which in winter-time is lined and trimmed
with priceless fur, is his usual wear; but the
colors generally dark
In the capital the Shah may be frequently seen
on horseback, and like all Persian gentlemen,
he rides WE'LL his horses, with long and uncut
tails, dyed crimson for some six inches at their
tips (the jealousy guarded privilege of the King
and his sons), distinguished by their value
and beauty. Here, too, the Sbah's quiet taste
is apparent in the sombre materials Of his sad
dlery, though of course each spirited charger has
its pure gold or jeweled necklet and trappirgs,
and these parbaric ornaments certainly do not de-
tract from its appearance Riding alone his eyes
generally on the ground his Majesty still main
tains a staff OF some dozen royal running foot
men, who clad in his state livery of scarlet and
with their iingling ornaments, and each armed
with his silver staff of Office, hover round the
Shah while one remains at his stirrup to indicate
the royal pleasure. Behind come one or two of
the Ministers, then pell-mel the throng of
mounted courtiers, secretaries officials and their
hangers on, while the royal body guard of ir-
regulars, each with his gun slung in scarlet
cloth case across his back, mix promiscuously
among the miscellaneous crowd of one to two
hundred horsemen, without whom the Shah is
hardly ever seen. The royal carriage most in
vogue with his Majesty bears suspicious like
ness to one of our Sherlffs vehicles: eight horses
are harnessed to it, the pairs being ridden by
four Positions in scarlet. AS rule the King is.
alone, the only exception being when accom-
panied by one of his sons or the Prime Minister,
or perhaps some religious magnate. Erratic as
he is in his movements, passing from one
suburban palace to another, the royal route may
generally be ascertained by observing the water
carriers who carefully sprinkle the road the
King will USE Nor is this a needless form, as
the ordinary state of the roads, if they may be
dignifed with that title, around Teheran is SINH
lar to the busiest of Derbus.
The King of Persia is very careful of his
health and his French physician, DR.. Tholozan,
is ever within call, so that the unfortunate
doctor is as great a gadabout as is his master,
the Asylum of the Universe. His Majesty en-
joys very fair health, slight paralysis having
as yet been his only ailment His habits of life
are simple, MS diet plain roasts and boiled. If
he ever INDUCES in the pottle deep po
tations of his predecessors on the Persian
throne, it can only be in the recesses
of his anderun or harem. There is no out
ward sign of any such indscretion. The Kingis
an early riser, A or A. NJ being his usual time
in summer This gives him long day, but he
breaks it by siesta. 1t is the royal habit when
tired to be shampooed by his attendants, and it
is thought no indignty for high official to be
told to assist in the kneading process Of the
delights of shampoong, Europeans, as a rule
have no idea. 1t is real art and is carried out
to scientific perfection by some of his Maiesty's
mere confidential servants.