VALUING BEAUTY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1778, 1 November 1879, Page 2

VALUING BEAUTY.

The Persian Ambassador, Mirz Aboul Hassan, while he resided in Paris, was an object of so much curiosity, that he could not go out without being surrounded by a multitude of gazers, and the ladies even ventured so far as to penetrate into his hotel. On returning one day from ride, he found his apartments crowded with ladies, all elegantly dressed, but not all equally beautiful. Astonished at this unexpected assemblage, he enquired what these European odalisques could possibly want with him. The interpreter replied that they had come to look at his Excellency. The ambassador was surprised to find himself an object of •uriosity among a people who boast of having attained the acme of civilisation ; w ? s not a little offended at conduct which, in Asia, would have been considered an unwarrantable breach of good breed: m ?* 116 accordingly revenged himself by the following little scheme: — , , The illustrious foreigner affected to be charmed with the ladies. He looked at them attentively, alternately pointing tolthem with his finger, and speaking with great earnestness to his interpreter, who ho was well aware would be questioned by hu fair

visitors, and whom he, therefore, instructed in the part he was to act. Accordingly, the eldest of the ladies, who in spite of her age, probably thought herself the prettiest of the whole party, and whose curiosity was particularly excited, after hia Excellency had passed through the suite of rooms, coolly enquired what had been the object of his examination. “Madam,” replied the interpreter, “I dare not inform you.” “But I wish particularly to know, sir.” “Indeed, madam, it is impossible.’’ “Nay, sir, this reserve is vexations, desire to know. ” “ Oh, since you desire, madam, know, then, that his Excellency has been valuing you.” “Valuing us! How, sir?” “ Yes, ladies, his Excellency, after the custom of his country, has been setting a price upon each of you,” “Well, that’s whimsical enough. And how much may that lady be worth, according to his estimation ? ” “ A thousand crowns.” “ And the other ? ” “ Five hundred crowns.” “And that young lady with fair hair ? ” “ Three hundred crowns.” “And that brunette ? ” “ The same price. ” “ And that lady who is painted ? ” “ Fifty crowns.” “And pray, sir, what may I be worth in the tariff of hia Excellency’s good graces ? ” “ Oh, madam, you really mast excuse me, I beg.” “Come, come, no concealments ! ” “ The prince merely said as he passed yon “Well, what did he say?” inquired the lady, with great eagerness. “ He said, madam, that he did not know the small coin of this country ! ”