PERSIAN MANNERS. 
237 
plastic Asiatics. A couple of huge, heavy, and ill-proportioned 
candalabra, stood opposite to each other in the middle of the 
floor, their lights being fed with oil, or any other convenient 
unctuous matter. In a small chimney, at one end of the room, 
blazed a lively wood fire; and to increase the heat, a brazen 
dish full of glowing charcoal, was placed at the answering- 
extremity. 
A few minutes elapsed before our host made his appearance. 
On his entrance we all rose ; and on being re-seated, he bowed 
to each person according to his rank, uttering at the same time 
a compliment befitting the esteemed importance of the guest. 
The routine of the entertainment was then as follows : kaliouns 
were presented; then coffee, served in very small cups, and 
without cream or sugar. Kaliouns succeeded; then tea, in 
larger cups ; and this over, conversation filled an interval of ten 
minutes, when the minister gave a signal for dinner to be 
brought. Several servants immediately entered, bearing a long- 
narrow roll of flowered cotton in their arms, which they laid 
down, and spread before the whole company, who now occupied 
both sides of the room. This napery was placed close to our 
knees. The next service was to set a piece of the thin sort of 
bread or cake I formerly described, before each guest, to be 
used as a plate and napkin. Then came a tray, between every 
two persons, containing the following articles of food : two bowls 
of sherbet, each provided with a wooden spoon of delicate and 
elegant workmanship ; a couple of dishes of pillau, composed 
of rice soaked in oil or butter, boiled fowls, raisins, and a little 
saffron. Two plates, with melons sliced ; two others, containing 
a dozen kabbobs, or morsels of dry, broiled meat; and a dish, 
presenting a fowl, roasted to a cinder. The whole party along 
