The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-04-03
DINING WITH THE SHAH.
The Novel Experience of an American In
London.

London.
have dined with the Shah OF Persia
1t was in the jubilee year when tne
Persian potentate visited Europe. Inc
dinner was given in London, and there
were present a large number OF we'll
known men.
The affair was gorgeous and cere1no-
NOUS. The foods were rich ana rare
When the table had been laid, all the
titled personages present gathered on
either side of the door leading into the
banonetinp-room. while further down
the hall were grouped the less conse-
ouential 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, taxing
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 euphonlous
name of Azezses, who Is the ShahS
special favorite. He is 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 dozen of his suite, IN.
stead of on the floor. Now he is con-
tend to have it stand on its own legs.
He has not vet acquired the knack OF
holding his knife and fork like an eX-
pert. In many respects he seemed 10
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 a
linguist. He has picked up smatter-
ing of French, but not enough to sus-
tain him in conversation. lie 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 APP
pear to take much notice of what was
going on, but in reality he is sharp
observer He is a man of advanced
ideas, but owing to the indolent tenn
permanent 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 5000, 600 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
eighteenth century. There are no thea
tiers, no opera houses, no modern insti-
buttons 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
approval upon all modern innovations.
The shah has over sixty wives, four of
whom accompanied him to Europe. His
meeting with Mrs. Gladstone, who has
been married well nigh sixty years to
the Grand Old Man, drew forth the re-
mark from some one, that it were more
desirable to have one wife for sixty
years than sixty wives for one year.
And this remark l indorse, though not
from experience.
The dinner passed off rather quietly,
as is generally the case at such ceremo-
NOUS functions. 1t was long, tedious,
and far from agreeable. The Prince of
. Wales watched the progress of the shah,
who ate very sparingly of everything,
and when he was almost finished, passed
the word around the table, SO that all
the guests were ready to rise when the
shah arose. The exit was accompanied
, with the same pomp as the entry, and
when the shah and his suite passed out,
the restraint was taken away. The
guests found their tongues and con-
, versed at freedom.
1t occurred to me, as I sat at the table
and watched the shah, who looks for
all the world like a North American In
/ dian, that l would not care to change
5 places with him, in spite of his titles,
wives and jewels. Contentment is a
, rare jewel. Liberty of action, freedom
r of movement and speech, are richer pos
sessions than rubies. A boy who is a
l citizen of this great republic is richer
f than the ruler of whom I have just
: written. The most honorable position
. in the world is within his reach. There
t is no higher honor than to be entrusted
. with the government of sixty millions
S of free people. Of course all the boys
l cannot be presidents, but you never
Y know when you are talking to a presi
t dent nowadays, and l am getting more
e and more deferential to even the news
S boys on the street.-Marshall 2. Wilder
D in Ladies' Home journal.
= The Swiss Guards Mistake.
\ Masquerading is allowed during car
8 niyal time in certain Italian towns be