THE SHAH'S DIARY.

Evening Star, Issue 3822, 25 May 1875, Page 3

THE SHAH'S DIARY.

The Shah of Persia seemed much impressed with everything he saw in London, especially the four-wheeled cabs, which showed he said, the veneration entertained by us for anything of an ancient character. 1 It was from the respect in which the drivers were held that they were allowed to make what charges they pleased. He found the English were great worshippers. They would worship anything. Even Lord Gladstone worshipped an idol known by the name of Homer, who was a wine merchant in London. The common people worshipped several idols, known as Bheer, Ebum, and Ghin, in whose honor thousands of magnificent temples were erected, all ot which were brilliantly lighted at night, for the convenience of worshippers during the ceremonies taking place therein. He was much impressed by the affectionate disposition exhibited by the married English. Among the nobles and wise men it was the custom for the men to stop out late at p'aces of intellectual sffidy, called clubs, so that they might not interfere with the domestic avocations of their wives, who were generally employed in the kitchens, preparing the family meals, under tho superintendence of police-constables, engaged expressly for the purpose, and who were regaled with cooked sheep’s flesh and bheer. Among the poorer people, it is the custom for the husband to display his affection by knocking bis wife about in a playful manner. It is, however, a dangerous kind of , amusement, and often attended serious results. The dress of the people is sometimes very curious The women are fond of wearing large quantities of false hair, called “chiknons,” on the top of which were placed little ornaments made of flowers and lace, called “ bonnehts.” They also wore high heels to their shoes, by way of penance for the sins committed by them when young. But what struck him the most was the singular habit of the women in appearing undressed at the grand parties given in his honor. He was informed that this was a regular custom, but that they were always properly clothed when at homo. He found that they were not in the habit of paying wages to their servants, for they were always asking for money to purchase food, he presumed. He was much impressed with the magnificence of the liveries worn by some of the footmen. but it sometimes caused him much inconvenience, as he could not always distinguish between the servants and the guests, and on one occasion took tho arm of a Every servant while promenading the grand saloon at Windsor Castle.— * Hornet.’