Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-23

ed up IN long line, and they also
ssluted, while the band played, then
joining the procession in the rear. To
both sides Of the broad streets the
populsce was swarmipg thick, the veil
ed women often lifting corner Of their
gsuze fsce-covering to have better
look, and women, men, and boys 10
gay-colored holiday attire. A little In
cident that happened as We passed
through the tall tiled gate into the
city proper deserves passing mer-
ton. One of the choicest specimens
Of that gentlemanly creature yclept
bowling dervish sat within the gate
actively engaged smoking ghalyan.
His bare head exhibited luxurious
ness Of tangled name seldom equalled
even among the brotherhood OF which
be Is undoubtedly an ornament; his
long, raven.black beard fell down to
his breast and partially concealed its
brown, callous skin, covered with hir-
suite excrescences OF alarming length,
and his bewildering rags were in the
last stage of decay on his gaunt
body, emaciated by too frequent indul-
gence in the frenzy-breediDg hasheesh.
This gentleman, stopping to take inter-
mediary whifs from his ghalyan, lifted
up his cracked voice and intoned q
sombre incarnation TO Allah and his
prophet to protect and guard the great
Weir Mukhtar ambassador from
Yengi-Dunio (the New World). The
Minister did not quite understand, but
caught the drift Of his remarks, pulled
out big gold coin from his vest-pocket,
and babe one Of the runners near him
carry this to the holy friar, who, on
receipt Of the gift, lifted up his
voice thrice as strongly. This made the
American Minister at once solid with
the pious portion of the community, and
before shutdown his Majesty and all the
town knew Of the occurrence, and the
praises Of the Minister rang out loud
and uniform from everybody's mouth.
Whoever knows the insane yeneration
in which these strolling vagabonds are
held in Persia will not be astonished at
this. The procession mean while passed,
going through the street mainly in
habited by the European colony, and
through several more gates and over
the magnificent square where the
yawniDg cannons remind the behold
er that the Kadjar dynasty in Persia is
secure through its military power, and
lastly down the fine street in the mid
die of which stands the American Le-
CATION. There another regiment aud
another band were stationed, the latter
striking up " Star-Spangled Banner "
on our approach, and very we'll indeed
they played it. The soldiers outside
and the guard inside the court present
ed aims, and the servants, bareheadcd,
as well as the dragoman, babe their
rev master welcome to his new home.
A brief reception followed in the par
Tor, and then the ceremony-about the
tenth Of it's kind since the landing at
Enzels--was over.
On Monday the 5th the first audience
with the Shah took place. I'll skip
The Introductory portions Of this fes-
tivity. The Shah had again sent splen-
did horses from his stables, and the
procession, il less numerous, was e'eD
more gorgeous and choice than two
days before. The master Of ceremo-
MES, who is a son-in-law Of the Shah,
and handsome and pleasant gentle
man, together with the chief dignitaries
of the kingdom, received the Minister in
large and fDely-furnished hall of the
Shah's palace, the most noteworthy
thing of which was the portraits Of his
Maiesty's ancestry on the wall. The
paintings were all i'll the Persian style,
taking strict account of all the minutie
Of PERSONS appearance, even to the
last button, and very exact and liielike,
but utterly oblivious of all laws OF per-
spectiye. Thus in one picture the front
lady was no larger than half dozen
behind her, who were supposed to be
at quite distance. The founder Of the
dynasty, a gentleman Of extreme fierce
ness of mien, with thick eyebrows
Joining over his aquiline nose, piercing
black eyes, and a virgin forest
OF a beard that covered all his face
up to the eyes, occupied the place
Of honor in this family gallery. After
some time the stranger from America
was summoned before his Majesty. The
throne-room where the audience took
place was quite fine hall. Some au-
thorities maintain that it is the largest
and most ornate throne'room in the
world. At any rate it is very hand
some. The Shah was standing notion
less at the remote end of it when Mr..
Winston entered, attired in nothing but
his native dignity and broadcloth suit.
After the reception Of the credentials
on q golden salver the Minister made
the following little speech in English,
which was afterward orally translated
by an interpreter into Persian:
MAY It Please Your Majesty: The
great nation whose country extends
from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean
and contains sixty millions of free peo'
pie has commissioned me to bear to
YOU, the mighty monarch Of the oldest
kingdom on earth, words of love aud
friendship. feel most highly honored
in being Entrusted with such a mission
by a Government so young and so
powerful as mine to King SO exalted,
80 able, and so accomplished as your
Majesty. The choice Of the President
of the United States for this most honor
able office has fallen on me because of
my great love for Persia and my ad-
miration for the exalted qualities OF
heart and hand Of your Majesty. No
questions are now existing, nor are any
likely TO arise, between the two nations
to cause any unfriendly feelings now or
hereafter. The two countries are more
than 5000 miles apart, and we have
and can have no interests which can
ever be sntagonistic to those of your
Majesty. 1t will be my object, there
fore, during my sojourn at your capt.
tai, not only to cultivate and foster
tha most friendly feelings which