The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-10-09

plaster, and with a ceiling of gorgeous
painted wood, rising in arches and domes
of intricate carving and delicate color
Here puzzling geometric design of gilded
beams, and there falling in stalactites
to end in drops of gold or disappear into
the projecting designs of tile or arabesque
Now, at last, one cannot help thinking,
the land of the Arabian Nights" is reach
ed. In domed recess in the garden, lit
with fantastic lanterns, are the musicians
their voices and music at this distance ris-
ing and falling in weird harmonious ca
dences
Dinner is announced, and, led by the
vizier, we pass down the length of the gar
den, among courtiers, soldiers and slaves,
and find ourselves entering a second and
even more gorgeous apartment than that
we had just left Under the arcade of
arches that gives entrance to this room
stood our dinner-92 huge covered dishes
of earthenware filled with all the delicacies
that native cooks know SO well how to pre-.
pare. Within stands the dining table, load
ed with fruit and flowers and sweetmeats,
with candelabra and dessert dishes and set
in European fashion as strange an anomaly
in so oriental scene as the furniture which
lies scattered about the room. At either
extremity of the large apartment stand
four posted bedsteads of French empire de-
sign, In ebony and walnut respectively,
and mirrors Of every shape, form and de-
sign, from handsome construction in
" buhl y to the most fashy of modern gilt
hideosities. Clocks of many shapes and
designs tick against the walls, while the
floors Of marble and tiles are strewn with
antique carpets of the country and modern
brussels Of suicidal hues; the candelabra
on the table of inferior pewter, the forks
and spoons of handsome silver gilt-every-
where the same strange mixture of orien-
talism and civilization, of wealth and shod-
diness. Nor was the company less diverse,
for next to her majesty s minister, in even
ing dress and decorations, sat tall figure
swathed in white wool and silk, while be-
hind young officer in the mess kit of the
grenadiers stood group of Moorish serv-
ants IN scarlet and gold, black slaves and
soldiers in their crimson fezes.
The perplexity of the English butler
who was shown close upon hundred
dishes and told to serve dinner was o fea-
ture in the entertainment, but fortunately
there is no routine in Moorish feasts, and
one eats promiscuously of spiced meats
young pigeons richly stuffed, fowls roasted
with lemon peel, and "kooskoosoo, the
national dish, to mention but very few
of the many delicacies prepared. No wines
are ever given at these entertainments,
and one falls back upon one s own supplies
brought for the purpose, for the Moors are
by religion, and generally by practice,
stanch teetotalers. Nor would those who
do imbibe in secret venture to do so at "a
public feast in the presence alike of Euro
peaDs and their own compatriots.
We did not do justice it must be con-
fessed, to even a small proportion of the
repast prepared, excellent though the
dishes were. Nor is one expected to do so,
for the number of cooked dishes is sign
of honor and hospitality, and one tastes
rarely of those which ones servants think
most according to their masters govt, the
rest being carried away to the different
apartments in which the vizier is enter
tanning his fellow members of the minis
try and the court in general, for only the
chancellor of the eXchequer and two of the
table. A lull in the music in the garden
without tells us that the musicians have
not been forgotten, but are feasting apace.
Then back once more to the reception
room, TO seat ourselves upon a semicircle
Of chairs arranged at equal distances one
from the other, where we are sprinkled
with rose and orange water from long
necked silver sprinklers and refreshed
with the heavy scent of incense, Trays OF
green tea in minute cups and tumblers
such as we would use for liqueur follow
tray after tray, until the three cups
prescribed by Moorish etiquette are
| Then the musicians approach and
themselves under the arcade withol.,,
long row Of men with inlaid guitars and
violins and strange instruments that have
no name in English. But the proximity
| is too great, and what was music at dis
tance becomes noise at close quarters Be
| yond them is the garden, seen through the
arches, half lost in shady gloom, half ap.
parent in the bright moonlight and bright
er flash of numbers of lanterns Again
the white robed figures come and go, pass
ing and repassing each other, like ghost:
among the trees and the members of the
court and their attendant soldiers and
slaves wander at will along the tiled paths
A move is made, and, bidding our adieu'
TO our host, we mount once more and sur
rounded by soldiers and servants bearing
lanterns seek our home in the Maimouuieh
palace.-St. james Gazette.
In England clergyman usually takes
| r