238 
PERSIAN MANNERS. 
the extended web, being in like manner supplied, the host gave 
the sign for falling to ; a command that seemed to be understood 
literally, for every back became bent, every face was brought 
close to the point of attack, and every jaw, in an instant, was in 
motion. This is done by a marvellous dexterity in gathering up 
the rice, or victuals of any kind, with the right hand, and almost 
at the same moment, thrusting it into the mouth. The left 
hand is never used by the Persians but in the humblest offices ; 
however, during meals at least, the honoured member certainly 
does the business of two, for no cessation could be observed in 
the active passage of meat, melon, sherbet, &c. from the board 
to the mouths of the grave and distinguished assembly. I must 
say, I never saw a more silent repast in my life, nor one where 
tlie sounds of mastication were so audible. In some countries 
it may be “ merry in the hall, when beards wag allbut here, 
l could only think of a similar range of respectable quadrupeds, 
with their heads not farther from their troughs, than ours were 
from the trays. For my part, when ever I wished to avail 
myself of the heaps of good provender on mine, at every attempt 
to throw a little rice into my mouth, it disappeared up my 
sleeve ; so that, after several unsuccessful essays, I gave up the 
enjoyment of this most savoury dish of the feast, and contented 
myself with a dry kabbob or two. 
When the servants cleared away, it was in the order the 
things had been put down. A silver-plated jug with a long 
spout, accompanied by a basin of the same metal, was carried 
round to every guest, by an attendant who poured water from 
the jug on our right hands, which we held in succession over the 
basin, while each individual cleansed his beard or mustachios 
from the remnants of dinner. We had no towel to dry one or 
