The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-06
linking B ith The Sinh.

Persia is the buffer State in Asia, so
called because il is the wall which marks
the boundary of Russian ambition, and Is
the safeguard OF British interests In
India. Its government Is despotic; the
country, nevertheless, Is more democrat L
ic than any in Europe or Asia. Inc
Shah is himself the government but his
advisers and officers come direct from
the people. and are in the majority OF
cases men of humble origin. The shan
IL a member Of the Kadjar tribe and II
is a curious fact that Notwithstanding
that he is ruler of Persia, he Is not the
politics, and ii is well for him that ne
has, since between the pulling and haul
ing of Russia and England he may well
sOliloqui2e that uneasy rests the head
that wears the crown" Nasr-ed-Din de
fender Of the Religion shah In shah,
king of kings, centre of the world, hghl
greater than that of the planet saturn,
are but a few OF the numerous high
ruler of the land Of the lion and the
sun is known. An audience with this
potentate is most interesting expert
ence. Our legation in Persia Is one OF
our few diplomatic posts that is officially
supplied with horses and carriage The
fact is noteworthy, since, for a wonder,
this necessary provision has been con-
ceded even In the face Of the cheese-par-
ing and penny-wise policy followed in
connection with our foreign service. Tho
legation carriage-a victoria drawn by
two coal-black Orlof stations. and ac-
companied by numerous outriders in le-
cation lyery-plays no insignificant part
In the ceremonies consequent TO an i'm
perial audience. Attired In evening dress,
for lack Of other official costume. the min
lister and | were driven from the legation to
the gate of the arc of the palace. Here
we were met by the divlOudars, or run
nerS. They were twelve in number, dress
ed in bright red, with most fantastic
headgear of feathers They took up their
station. six on each side of the carriage.
and kept up with IL on a dead run. These
runners are an institution peculiar 10
the court of the Shah. They always ac-
company his majesty and II Is an especial
compliment 10 have them sent and one
that is paid only 10 a representative Of
foreign State At the palace proper
score Of officials, arrayed in their official
robes, met US, and We were conducted 10
the apartments of the master OF ceremO-
MES. We were RECALLED with tea, ices,
sherbet. and cigarettes, and at inter
walls the kalian. or Persian waterpipe.
was passed around No Interpreter was
present during our stay in the rooms OF
the master Of ceremonies, and the con-
yersation was therefore. very limited.
His EXcellency, who is called the Seriah-
DOwleh, and Is son-in-laW OF the Shah,
asked In Persian: "Shuma Farsi harf-
C"Do you speak Persian?).
our reply was a negative gesture. Upon
the announcement tnat the shah would
receive us. we proceeded 10 his Majestys
apartments.
Arriving az the threshold the master OF
ceremonies paused and removed his shoes.
an attendant placed the robes of honor
over his shoulders and he exchanged
his kolla. or lambslIin fez. for ieweled
turban. our own preparation was per-
formed more synbolically than
really. We did not remove our
shoes, but we wore galoShes,
and these we took off. We retained our
high hats and were most careful 20
place them firmly on our heads 10 avoid
the otherwise embarrassing situation
should they happen TO fall or during
the bowling and scraping incident to the
reception. Etiquette required us 20 bow
three times. The shah was standing az
the end OF the room and was occupied
In writing as we entered he did not
lock at MS until we had approached with
In few feet OF where he stood. THIS
not only gave opportunity To observe nm
closely. but made the entrance less en-
barrassirg.
Our interpreter was the Nasru!. Mulk,
who spoke English perfectly, which was
a great comfort. MIR. Beale had nad
several audiences previous TO the one
Of which i am speaking. ana me snah /
received him with great cordially. Ills
majesty inquired at once after the health |
Of the President, and compiim snts were
exchanged generally for ley minutes;