Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-23
TIE sHAn At p1NNER.


Marshall p. wilder Breaks Bread with
the Persian Monarch--How He Feasts.
ladies' Home journal.
have dined with the Shah of Persia,
writes Marshall p Wilder the humoris..
II 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 ceremonious. The foods were rich
and rare. When the table had been
laid, all the titled personages present
gathered on either side of the door lead
ing into the banqueting-room, while
further down the hall were grouped the
less consequential 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 little black
fellow, with the euphonious name of
Azezses, who is the shah's special favor
lite. He is a great pet, and is looked
upon as a sort of mascot.
Frequent visits to civilized countries
have sufficed to make the shah some
what like European in his manners.
On the occasion of his first visit, he in
sisted on having piano placed on the
backs of half-a-dozen of his suite, in
stead of on the floor. Now he is con.
tent to have it stand on its own legs.
He has not yet acquired the knack OF
holding his knife and fork like an
expert. 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; SC
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 q
linguist. He has picked up smatter-
ing of French, but not enough TO sustain
him in conversation. He spoke much
TO the little black fellow at his side
This boy is a great mimic, and is q
source of much amusement and diver
sion 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 SHARP
observer. He is man of advanced
ideas, but owing to the indolent temper
ament 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 thu
case, however. He has much reserve force
Though unassuming in demeanor, hi
has mighty big opinion of himself
and considers himself the equal of any
body.
In his own country the shah is called
Lord of lords He has no end of titles
all big words, list Of which woulC
take up too much of the valuable space
OF The Ladies' Home journal. HI
rules over 100000 people, and hi
dominions extend over an area Of 80,
I 900 square miles.A visit to Peoria woulc
be like living in Europe in the seven
tenth or eighteenth century. Their,
are no theatres, no opera-houses, nj
modern institutions whatever. Their
are six miles of railroad, but there is nj
traffic over them, Since an accident &C
Cured in which two or three men wer
killed, the road has stopped running
The priests had much to do with this
They are extremely conservative, ant
look with disapproval upon all moderl
innovations.
The shah has over go wives, four o
whom accompanied him to Europe. Hi
meeting with Mrs. Gladstone, who ha
been married we'll nigh go years to tn
Grand Old Man, drew forth the remarl
from some one that it were more de
sirable to have one wife fer so year
than so wives for one year. And thi
remark endorse, though not from ex
perience.
The dinner passed off rather quietly
as is generally the case at such cert
monious functions. II was long, tediou
and far from agreeable. The Prince {
Wales watched the progress of tn
shah, who ate very sparingly of every
thing, and when he was almost finishe
passed the word around the table s
That all the guests were ready to ris
when the shah arose. The exit wa
accompanied with the same pomp d
the entry, and when the shah and hi
suite passed out the restraint was take
away. The guests found their tongue
and conversed at freedom.
1t occurred to me, as | sat at the tab
and watched the shah, who looks fc
gil the world like North America
Indian, that l would not care to chans
places with him, in spite of his title
wives and jewels Contentment is raj
jewel. Liberty of action, freedom
movement and speech, are richer posse
sions than rubies. A boy who is cit
zen of this great Republic is richer tina
the ruler Of whom l have just write
The most honorable position in Il
world is within his reach. There is l
higher honor than to be entrusted wi
the government of 6O,0O0,o00 of fir,
people OF course all the Journal DO,
cannot be Presidents, but you nev
know when you are talking to Pre-.
dent nowadays, and | am getting mo
and more deferential to even the new
boys on the street.
When Won 70 IN buv Hood'a EaraanayiIia