The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-07-29
IN PERSIA.
An Interesting Account of This PARKWAY
Land.

! NaSr-ed-dln, the Shah (that is, the
king of kings), has reigned over Persia
for nearly forty-four years, and is the
SHINE despot and cruel tyrant as he was
i'll the earlier days of his reign. Yet
Nasr-de-din has had the advantage of
European travel. and if he had used his
advantages, might have been an err.
lightened ruler
Some sixteen years ago he made his
tour of Europe, and it is amusing to
hear how, with great perseverance, he
strove to initiate himself into the WAYS
and customs of the civilized world, ere
he left his capital for the first time.
series of court dinners were given
at his palace in Teheran. to the head /.
of departments and to members of the
several legations, in order that the
king of kings might perfect himself in
the minor details of civilized life, such
as eating with knives and forks, instead
OF fingers; sitting on chairs, instead of
crouching on the ground, and other
small points of etiquette.
! AT the time that the Shah was thus
eugrossed in assuming European man
ners, was invited by princess and
her sister to breakfast with them in
/ Teheran. The hour fixed was twelve
o'clock, and on arriving at the house |
was greeted in the outer courtyard by
four women servants, and conducted
by them TO the garden, in the center of
winch was the usual tank. inlaid with
turquois- blue tiles; shading the running
stream stood rows of gaunt poplar
trees, and briers mxuriant with golden
blossoms filed the air with their fra
GRANGE.
Here the princess and her sister
rushed out to meet me, and, after many
affectionate salutations, led me up a
flight of steep stone steps into long,
bare room, where other guests TALL Per
sians) Were assembled, who saluted us
courteously as we entered.
The walls of this room were decorated
with deeply cut plaster-scrolls and
howers in white. ON a ground of pale
green; the heavy wooden window-frame
was carved in old arabcsQue patterns,
and inlaid with colored glass. On the
floor were strewn the richly-traced car
pets, that Persia only can produce. and
lying in one corner were cushions and
mattresses, on which the Persian lady
takes her sicsta daily.
The princess, among her friends. was
considered a great beauty. Her shin
ing, rosy face was as round as the full
moon: her dress was decidedly Oriental.
A short cashmere jacket, open in front,
and showing a clear muslin dress be-
meath. covered her shoulders; round her
hips hung innumerablc layers of short
skirts, braided in gold and frilled and
pulled: on her head was three-cor-
nered cotton handkerchief. surmounted
by an emerald aigrette and fastened
under her chin with large diamond
brooch; short cotton socks completed
her toilette,
At the announcement by little black
slave that breakfast was ready. we
We're escorted into another room still
more unfurnished than the last. Our
breakfast, around which we were mar
shaded, was spread upon a carpet in the
certer of the floor. and. at the word
"Bismillah' C'In the name of God")
from the princess, we all, with one ac-
A variety of dainty viands was set be-
fore us-fowls stewed in the juice of
the pomegranate, mince folded in vine
leaves, a large turecn of curdlcd milk.
honey, pickles, preserves, and large
china bowl OF shcrbet, for the use OF
all, stood at one end of this array.
Persian etiquette demands on these
occasions that the hostess should care
fully prepare, before any of the guests
partakc, small portion from any or all
of the dishes before her, and present it
TO the principal guest
soon saw that was unfortunately
the individual for whom this honor was
intended, and it was with but little
pleasure that watched the prepara-
ton of this somewhat unsavory mix
ture. She first tore off shred of fowl.
then scraps of almost every dish fol-
lowed, and, finally adding relish of
pickles and honey. she rolled them all
together in the palms of her henna-
stained hands and held out to ME this
very incongruous mixture.
Disgusting my feelings accepted the
Offering graciously, and telling her that
her politencss was excessive" and
trusting that her shadow might never
become less" with the aid of glass of
sherbet swallowed the nauseous pill.
Breakfast lasted nearly two hours.
Silver pipes were handed at intervals
during the rcpast, and, finding did not
smoke, they all cried out, Not smoke,
Why, how do you pass the day"
At the close, coffee in small china
cups, in gold stands, set with turquoise
and pearls, was brought round, and
rose-water, in copper ewers, wherein to
wash our hands,
As yet civilizing influences have made
but little way in Persia, and the cere-
monies and customs of a past age. in
spite of certain concessions to foreign
powers, still remain untouched. though
there is no doubt that the anxiety of
the shah to become further acquainted
with the manners of Europe will in
time bear fruit, and that Persia has
many changes in store for her at no very
remote date.-Goldcn Days
Innovations Dress.
There are two innovations TO be
pointed out in the way of feminine
dress One is the coming suppression
of the trains in n-,o,,,epa3a D,s,,,,,o.