Prayers on a Steamboat in Persia.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 573, 22 January 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

Prayers on a Steamboat in Persia.

But whether the view waa clouded with pitiless raiD in the northern passage or brilliant toward the end of our long journey, never did some of the Persian merchants omifc, about the bout a of sunriso and sunset, to stand with uncovered feet and make their prayers and obeisance toward tbe East. How could man be more picturesque than this Persian merchant, to whose naturally great stature is added a conical fur hat as large as the bearskin of a guardsman, who, pressing it firmly upon hia brows aga nst the wind, strips off his robe of Astrakhan goatsfcin, which he spreads as a prayer carpet on the high deck ? Observed, yet seeming to feel unnoticed by all around, he lays aside hia boots, and steps in his stockings upon his coot. Then drawing his bright green tunic more tightly within h ; s silver waistbelt, he places both hands upon his loose trousers of black satin, and gazes in rapt attention upon the eastern sky. Hoon he falls upon his knees, and presses his forehead upon the deck We know how much higher and better Christianity is than Mohammedanism, yet there can be no doubt in our miuds that the outw&rd respect of hifl prayer is far nobler than that of the Rusuians, with their farthing tapers, and their bowings and kifising of books and picture*. — Extract of a Letter from an English Traveller on the Volga