Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-17
SHAFTS HUMAN SIDE.
Courteous to Subordinates and Fear
full of Giving Pain.

Paris Corr. London Truth
I had an opportunity Of studying the
shah the other day for some time and
at close quarters. at the entertainment
given him at I.ongchamps by the Automo-
bile Club. He seemed among his khans
the ideal bon tyran of Renan The grand
vizier. who remained at his elbow. spoke
to him unceremoniously. as might a fore
man in factory to an employer who had
himself once been among the employed.
The shah looked constantly desirous Of
keeping on terms of mutual amiability
with his attendants. and they seem really
fond of him. l felt sure. on seeing how
they stood toward each other, that II
would grieve him nightly to see he had
hurt the feelings of any Of them. When
ever he showed impatience or said some
thing curt to any Of them his conscience
or his heart or Sensibilities quickly re-
preached him, and his manner at once
grew soothing and almost affectionate.- I
assure you that. tired I of cabotin-
age in high places. l thought the shah.
poseful monarch. The only limit to his
frankness Is his amiable wish not to hurt
the feelings of those about him. He is
absolutely free from varnish or any as
sumed quality or desire to make believe.
The coat seemed to me shabby. and the
boots-patent leather-not comfortable Tor
equity gentleman who is on the shady
side of fifty. But he wore a solitaire dia-
mond in the head Of his cravat pin which
seemed a blazing point wherever he went.
1t. perhaps, was as large as the whole
Mazarin set put together. At any rate.
1t struck us all as a junior regent. The
cravat was Of soft gray silk OF the
shade that elderly Quaker ladies were
fond of In the early years Of Queen Vic
toria's reign
Wet weather severely tries him. and
rain is thought sufficient reason for
canceling his appointments. On rainy
days he lies couch listening to
music. His favorite instrument in the
house Is the Erard grand piano. which a
Persian pianist, who studied at the Vienna
and Paris Conservatives, wakes up. The
shah Is himself an excellent musician. He
is fond of light, gay music and cannot
endure nocturnes, dead marches-though
Chopin composed them-or sadly senti-
mental things. All the cottages that ring
his summers in Persia are provided with
pianos. and the situation Of piano tuner
to the court is no sinecure. These cot
tages are the abodes Of the wives Of the
late shah, of princes Of his family, or Of
wives of his own who have been placed
on the retired list. The daughters Of these
ladies are given musical professions, and
the sounds of piano playing steal over
the lake from its different shores. Dis
lance and the effect of the water prevent
the Dutch concert effect.
The shah. in visiting Bon Marche, re-
membered the tenants Of those lacustrian
cottages. and bought goods enough to
freight a steamer. which has been char
tered for him at Marseilles. They are to
be taken Persia-ward by sea as far as
the vessel can go. and then by Russian
railways and such conveyances as the
Persian roads admit Of Armoires a glace
form an important part of this cargo. The
Persian lady is not less DESTROYS Of having
a mirror wardrobe than the pretty Paris
enne in humble life who wants to be dams
SEES meubles