Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-12-28

great event they are engaged IN prepar-
ing for its coming. If for no other reason
because every Persian, be 10 man, WOm-
~ or child. expects TO come ont then In
"A brand new Suit of clothes. Those who
have not the ready money for the occa-
sion place Jewels, embreiderie> or other
choice articles in the hands Of the del
lals, or Inherent merchants. 20 sell for
them and great bargains may be picked
up az that time.
OF course the weather is bound TO be
fine, for the short winter is over, the
roses are all in bloom. and for six
months no least there will be little or no
change. The evening before, after sun
set, the people gathered around heaps
of brushwOOd placed in q row in the
gardens. set fire to them and then leap
over them i'm succession. Does not this
remind one of the statement in Scrip
ture that the Jews when following the
idolatrieS of neighboring nations "cauS-
cd their children 20 pass through the
fire." This scene is provocative OF
much mirth. As one after another aw6-
wardly Jumps over the burning bushes
and tumbleS sprawling this or that
way in his anxiety TO escape being
burned.
The hour when the sun crosses the
line, Doe il day or night, is the momen-
tous period of No K0oz, and is cele-
Lratcd by an impressive ceremony at
the palace. As the hour approaches the
high officers and mobiles of the realm
gather in the great throne room or au-
dience chamber, where, surrounded by
the trophies of past ages, the Shah gives
audience TO his courtierS. Arrayed in
their coStlicSt robes they assemble and
range themselves on each side OF the
hall according 90 rank. First in order
are the NOllahS or prelateS, who
seat themselves on the teSSelated floor
Persian fashion, that is, on their knees
ana heels. Next TO the MtllahS follow
the uncleS of the shah, the Sedr Azom,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs: and the
Minister Of War. the last two facing
each other. Then follow other high
diguitaricS. including the official
head of the Khaiar, 20 which the pres
ent dynasty belongs. All remain stand
ing except the MOllahS. Then, between
the double row of dign.tarieS. the shah
slowly proceeds and seats himself ON a
carpet of pearls before the peacock
throne.
Then the chief of the Khaiar> 10y order
of the Shah goes from one TO the other
followed by servants bearing trays OF
small silver coins from which each enc
present receives pinch Of coin in order
that they may welcome the New Year
with the good augury of money in their
hands. While this ceremony is proceed
ing high officials Superbly arrayed place
Salvers before the Shah containing spec
linens OF the fruits OF earth and water,
or heaped with dazzling piles of inter
mingled gold and silver coins fresh from
the mint.
His Majesty then burns incense on a
brazier. The royal astrol0ger i'm the
meantime is carefully studying his IN
struments watching the expected tran
sit. As soon rs the event = announced
the Shah ScizeS q magnificent Koran ly
ing on q cushion before him and presses
il rcverently 20 his forehead, lips and
bosom; bee then turns 90 the Mollah>
and earnestly proc.a.m>. "Nomoarek
bawshed, may 10 De- proQ.uouS Co YOU
4 priest then arises aad chants i
solemn invocation Co tLc Almighty
Bach courticr, according to rank, ncNi
approaches and knecls before his >oNer
cicn. receives from his hands share OF
the now co,u, and rctircS from the hall
until AN arc gone and the King is let
alone in his glory. To me there is
something extraordinarily impressive
and original in this custom of leaving
the shah alone ia his audience chamber
This grand ceremony, which In It's 90
servance of the suns crossing and 10y
the presentation of traits. Of the earth
evidently far antedateS the Mohamme
dan conquest, IS only very rarely seer
by Europeans and Christians.
About an hour before noon Of the