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THE NOWROOSE. 
Amongst other gratulatory testimonies of good will, eggs 
dyed, or gilded, are mutually presented by the assembled 
multitude at this feast, in the same way that they are interchanged 
at the festival of Easter, by the members of the Greek church. 
I recollect the same custom, at the same sacred anniversary, in 
the northern counties of England. But I have never been able, 
abroad nor at home, to obtain any explanation whatever of the 
usage ; and the only conjecture I can offer is, that eggs made of 
gold, having been a very ancient mode of tribute in the East; 
eggs, natural or artificial, might originally have been brought, in 
this character, by various degrees of persons, to be paid to the 
sovereign presiding at the great spring festival; and afterwards, 
when Christianity was introduced to this part of the world, and 
Easter instituted, the sign of former homage to one man, might 
change its direction, and, dispersed about, become a mark of 
common brotherhood. 
I shall now describe the great ffite of Persia, as it is celebrated 
in these modern times. On the evening preceding the day of 
its commencement, the King sends abroad his kaalats, shawls, 
&c., as badges of honour, to the persons highest in his con¬ 
sideration ; and the British Charge d’Affaires, with myself, were 
included in the honourable distinction. Next morning, we 
equipped ourselves in the royal insignia, wearing it over our 
uniforms ; and awaited the arrival of the officer from the court, 
who was to conduct us to the presence. This was no less a 
personage, than the chief executioner; and such an attendant 
was to be esteemed one of the greatest marks of respect which 
could have been shown by the Persian monarch. 
It was a fine morning, and at eight o’clock we mounted our 
horses; proceeding through narrow streets, and a part of the 
