r of Jesus.]

[Footnote 37: This is the most approved form of speech among well-
educated Persians whenever any allusion to the mysteries of the harem is
intended.]

[Footnote 38: A piastre is about two shillings.]

[Footnote 39: This dye is used throughout the whole of Asia, and
produces a strong orange or auburn colour. The Persians dye the whole of
their hands as far as the wrist with it, and also the soles of their
feet. The Turks more commonly only tinge the nails; both use it for the
hair.]

[Footnote 40: The Yezeedies are a tribe of the Curds, who are said to
worship the devil.]

[Footnote 41: The Persians give the most magnificent names to their
negro slaves. Thus Nur Jehan means "light of the world."]

[Footnote 42: Khanum is the title usually given to a Persian lady, and
is equivalent to "madam."]

[Footnote 43: The priest is so called who invites the Mohamedans to
prayers from the minaret, or from the roof of the mosque.]

[Footnote 44: This no doubt relates to certain mysterious and obscene
customs which are said to be practised among the Yezeedies, at the
village of Kerrund, in the Curdistan, and peculiar to the tribe of
Nusiri, commonly called Chiragh Kush, or lamp extinguishers.
Antiquarians pretend in them to trace a resemblance to the abominable
worship of Venus, as practised by the Babylonians, and recorded in
Herodotus, book i. sect. cxcix.]

[Footnote 45: The _cherkajis_ (literally wheelers about) in Oriental
armies are skirmishers, who are thrown out from the main body to engage
in the fight, and are generally esteemed the most expert horsemen and
the best soldiers.]

[Footnote 46: The point to which the Mohamedans turn in prayer.]

[Footnote 47: Light of the world. The Persians are apt to give high-
sounding names to their slaves, and particularly to the guardians of
their women.]

[Footnote 48: Aga is used in the sense of master.]

[Footnote 49: The surme is a collyrium.]

[Footnote 50: The sham is, in truth, the evening meal, and is served up
at sunset.]

[Footnote 51: The ceremony of the _pahendaz_ consists in spreading rich
stuffs for the king to walk upon.]

[Footnote 52: This is an ancient Persian custom, and is supposed to
secure good fortune--sweetness, and consequently sugar, being an emblem
of felicity.]

[Footnote 53: The _musnud_, in Eastern acceptation, is, in fact, the
throne; but on occasions such as the one here described the mode of
making a musnud is to dou