and it is Frank's turn next, I will tell him some questions I wanted to put.

J. You can keep some for my turn too, Henry, if you like.

H. So I will, dear, if there are then any more that I want to ask.

F. But, Uncle, you have not said any thing about the civility of the Persians, which I mentioned.

U. O. Never mind: it is your turn next time, and then you can have it all your own way.

320

CHAPTER XXII.

CHARACTER AND EDUCATION.

Uncle Oliver. Here we are! Now for it, Frank! I hope you have been considering your questions?

Frank. Yes, Sir, I have. I wish first to know if the Persians are so civil as I have read ?

U. O. You cannot have read any thing which says too much of the civility of the Persians. I met with nothing comparable to it in any other country. I have said something of this more than once already, and need not dwell much upon it now. The Persians are a people who in all ages have been inclined to look up with a feeling almost like idolatry to those above them -to kings, princes and nobles. They are also very ceremonious; and while every man is careful to render abundant honour to those above him, he is still more careful to claim with great strictness from those below him, all the honour and attention to which he thinks himself en

titled; nor does he forget to be very careful to prevent any of his equals from obtaining more consideration than himself, while he strives to get as much to his own share as he can. For example:-if two equals are riding together, and have both to alight at the same place, they are studious to dismount exactly at the same moment; because they consider that were one to reach the ground before the other has left his horse, he would put himself below the other. Henry. How silly all this is!

U. O. I grant you, Harry. Now it so happens that as all the Persians are constantly saying to those above them the finest things they can invent, as they, like other Eastern people, are fond of figurative language, and as, above all, they are great readers and hearers of poetry, which is full of such language,—it happens that they almost constantly use phrases much too big for the occasion, but the real meaning of which is well understood by those who hear them. The case is different, however, when they come to use such complimentary terms to a traveller from Europe. He is used to take things in their plain meaning; and when he finds that by all the high-flown compliments which a Persian

offers, little or nothing is meant, he is apt to be vexed and disappointed: and, likely enough, he puts down in his book that the Persians are an insincere and deceitful people, in whom no confidence must be placed.

H. And isn't that right?

U. O. Not entirely. When a Persian tells you that the whole country rejoices at your arrival, that he is himself the humblest of your slaves, that he makes you a present of his house and all it contains, and that the city and all the people in it are perfectly at your service, - he means nothing of all this: his only meaning is to be civil to you, and to put you in a good humour. Most assuredly, if you ventured to act upon any thing of this sort which is said to you, it would not be long before you learnt what it really meant.

F. But it must be very provoking, I think.

U. O. It may be so to those who do not understand that such phrases mean nothing except an intention to show civility and respect. The Persian would have more right to be provoked if the traveller took him at his word; although certainly I do not approve of complimentary phrases which have no meaning in

them. But here now (puttiny his hand in his pocket) is a note which I received this morning from Sir Robert Wilton; you see it ends in the usual style, "I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient and very humble servant, ROBERT WILTON." Well now, what does this mean? Shall I send to tell Sir Robert that I accept his services, and that I expect him to brush my coat and shoes in the morning, and wait at table in the afternoon?

All. Oh, no, no! He does not mean that.

U. O. No more than a Persian does. Would he be displeased, think you?

H. He is good-natured, Sir; but I think he would not be pleased.

U. O. No more than a Persian. So you see we may as well look at home a little in these matters. The principal difference is, that the Persian more frequently, and by word of mouth

— not merely at the end of a letter—is accustomed to use such compliments of no meaning. Yet, the truth is, that the Persian will carry out his compliment further than an Englishman. He will serve at table the guest whom he delights to honour. When a king or prince visits person, the master of the house

noble or other