Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-18
DINING WITH THE SHAH.
The Novel Experience of an American


The Novel Experience of an American in
London.
have dined with the Shah of Persia.
It was in the jubilee year when the
Persian pOtentate visited Europe. The
dinner was given in London, and there
were present large number of we'll
known men.
The affair was gorgeous and ceremo-
NOUS The foods were rich and rare.
When the table had been laid, all the
titled personages present gathered on
either side of the door leading into the
banqneting-roOm, while further down
the hall were grouped the less conse-
quential people, of whom l was one.
The shah, accompanied by his suite,
passed down between the two rows OF
people and into the dining-rOom, taking
his place at the head of the table. After
him entered the Prince of Wales and the
more prominent guests. On the shah S
right sat the prince, and on his left a
little black fellow, with the euphonious
name of Azezses, who is the shah's
special favOrite. He is a great pet, and
is looked upon as a sort of mascot.
Frequent visits to civilized countries
have suficed to make the shah some
what like a European in his manners.
On the occasion of his first visit, he in
sisted on having piano placed on the
backs of half dozen of his suite, in
stead of on the floor. Now hs is con-
tend to have it stand on it's own legs.
He has not yet acquired the knack of
holding his knife and fork like an ex-
pert. In many respects he seemed to
be uncertain as to his manner of eating.
On such occasions, he would observe
his neighbors and follow their example.
Etiquette demands that the shah only
converse with persons of nobility; so
that your humble servant didn't have
an Opportunity to speak to him Most
of the talking was done through an in
terpreter, as the shah is not much of
linguist- BE has picked up a smatter-
ing of French, but not enough to sus-
tain him in conversation. He spoke
much to the little black fellow at his
side. This boy is great mimic, and is
a source of much amusement and di-
version to the shah.
The manner of this Oriental ruler was
calm and unassuming. He did not ap-
pear to take much notice of what was
going on, but in reality he is a sharp
observer. He is a man of advanced
ideas, but owing to the indOlent tenn
perament peculiar to inhabitants of the
east, he does not impress one as being
in possession of more than ordinary in
telligence. This is far from being the
case, however. He has much reserve
force. Though unassuming in de-
meanor, he has mighty big opinion Of
himself, and considers himself the equal
of anybody.
In his own country the shah is called
lord of lords" He has no end of titles,
all big words, list of which would take
up too much valuable space. He rules
over s, ZOO, 900 people, and his dominions
extend over an area of $4,000 square
miles A visit to Persia would be like
living in Europe in the seventeenth or
century. There are no thea
ters, no opera houses, no modern insti-
tutions whatever. There are six miles
of railroad, but there is no traffic over
them. Since an accident occurred In
which two or three men were killed, the
road has stopped running. The priests
had much to do with this They are ex-
tremely conservative, and look with dis