708 
FAST OF RAMAZAN. 
The fast of Ramazan occurred during my visit to Shiraz, 
which afforded me several instances amongst my own Persian 
attendants of the laxity of principle just described. A strict 
observance of this month of abstinence, is enjoined as a most 
sacred duty, in commemoration of God having sent down the 
Koran from heaven to earth at that season of the year; during 
its continuance, every true believer must refrain, from day-break 
till sunset, from eating or drinking; none being in any way ex¬ 
empted from this obligation, excepting sick persons, women who 
are nurses, and persons encountering the extraordinary fatigue of 
necessary travelling. Some observe the fast so religiously as never 
to touch their lips with any liquid from sunrise to sunset; an 
abstinence amounting to almost intolerable pain, in this ex¬ 
tremely hot weather. Persons employed in laborious works are 
permitted to bathe their parched mouths with a little water ; 
but if a drop glides into their throats, the fast is broken for that 
day, and an answering vigil must repair the breach. The indul¬ 
gence to travellers allows them to defer the rite till the journey 
is completed, and some of my attendants were not backward in 
seizing the privilege. They chose to construe the shortest morn¬ 
ing excursion into the travel of a day; and, accordingly, lost no 
time in regaling themselves with bread, water-melons, and ka- 
liouns. Those who so promptly find excuses for slipping the 
bonds which gall them, are not likely to volunteer a re-entrance, 
while there is risk of much pain in the yoke : but scrupulous 
observers of the fast frequently endure the utmost personal 
misery. The day, at present, (about the middle of July,) is fif¬ 
teen hours long, and the atmosphere like a furnace. Nourish¬ 
ment of no kind must touch the devotees’ lips during all that 
