414 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



Persia, or in Persian, must be considerable; but the exact figure is 

 unknown. The designation of publisher is a misnomer in this coun- 

 try, unless the writer who pays for the printing of his own books 

 comes under that denomination. Every man who writes a book, if 

 he wishes to bring it before the public, has to undertake the whole 

 cost of printing and binding. Original authorship, however, like 

 paper making, is at the present time an almost extinct art in Persia. 

 A few translations of foreign books are made, but neither the num- 

 ber nor importance is great. 



The increase in the consumption of paper in Persia depends upon 

 such a variety of circumstances and conditions that it is impossible 

 to forecast the future with any degree of certainty. The increase of 

 trade or of educational facilities, the development of the resources 

 of the country, and the establishment of manufacturing industries 

 would all have a quickening effect on this particular branch of com- 

 merce; but so far, no herald has announced their appearance. 



Most of the note paper is of French manufacture, whether im- 

 ported from England, India, or Constantinople; but that used for 

 publishing purposes is a Russian article. The paper used for fir- 

 mans, contracts, deeds, wills, and documents of a character needing 

 durability is made in Cashmere, and has taken the place of the old 

 Persian product. 



PRICES. 



As the trade in paper is almost entirely in the hands of natives, 

 the price depends on the knowledge or ignorance of the parties to 

 the bargain. The dealer always asks considerable in excess of what 

 he is prepared to take, whether the quantity be large or smaH, and 

 if the purchaser is ignorant of the trick he falls an easy victim. 

 Plausibility and a liberal use of solemn oaths are the principal arti- 

 cles of the trader's creed. The general practice for natives, how- 

 ever, is to add 50 per cent to the original cost price for transport 

 expenses and profit. Foreigners in nearly all mercantile transactions 

 add upwards of 100 per cent to the manufacturer's price. 



BANKING, TELEGRAPHIC, AND POSTAL FACILITIES. 



The facilities for financial operations between Persia and most 

 foreign countries are good at present. The Imperial Bank of Persia 

 is an English institution, with the head office and principal sphere of 

 business in Teheran, but with branches at all the cities and towns of 

 any importance throughout the country. It has, besides, its board 

 of management and controlling offices in London, and correspond- 

 ents in most of the chief centers of trade throughout the world. 

 The Bank de Preto and the Commercial Bank, both Russian, provide 



