34 
PERSIA. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern). 
By LEONARD FLINN. November 16//?, 1915. 
Mr. Flinn began his lecture by calling attention to the 
geographical features of Persia. Two-thirds of the country 
consists of a stony and salt desert ; to the east of Teheran 
is the most arid desert in the world and what few villages 
there are in this region are little more than oases in the vast 
and silent waste ; there are no railways in Persia and only 
one navigable river, while in all parts of the country the 
roads are mere tracks. The sole seaport in Persia is Bushire 
and even here only lighters of shallow draught can enter- 
ships having to discharge their cargo some seven miles away 
from the port. Persia is divided politically into three “spheres 
of influence ” — the Russian, the English, and the neutral 
areas. 
The history of Persia as a nation goes back some 2,500 
or 3,000 years, though her native poets and historians in their 
myths and legends penetrate still further into the “ dark 
backward and abysm of time.” The lecturer passed under 
review the various dynasties which have held sway in Persia 
and illustrated his remarks by slides shewing ancient sculp- 
tures of dynastic notabilities, the ruins of Persepolis, old 
palaces and monuments, many of which closely resemble 
in their workmanship, the main characteristics of Assyrian 
architecture. The story of Persia is the story of a country 
which has ever been the prey of foreign agression ; it has 
often been overthrown but in spite of all its varying fortunes, 
the character of its people has been very little changed. 
The Persians, said the lecturer, are suave, eager to be agree- 
able at all times and in all circumstances, but much given to 
lying and deception. As far as mendacity is concerned their 
moral code is well represented by the saying of the greatest 
of Persian poets, Sadi, “Falsehood mixed with good inten- 
tions is preferable to truth, leading to strife.” 
