semble our fairies both in name and nature,) might partake of their good cheer.

Frank. And did the spirits and the fairies eat their dinner?

U. O. No, surely. The fairies are the creatures of the fancy only; and if they indeed existed, we could not know that either they or the spirits of the dead could be present; and if they existed and were present, it is not likely that they would have any appetite for the fare by which our gross bodies are nourished. The Persians did not think that these spiritual beings came and feasted themselves upon the meat, but upon the delicate flavour which that meat sent forth. H. A pretty notion !

U. O. It is a poetical fancy; and such a fanciful way of feeding is a very suitable one for such fanciful beings; but would not do for you and I.

Well: the modern Persians observe the feast now much in the same way as their fathers did, except that they have left out the religious part, and have not put any of their own religion into it. They have also shortened it: it used to last for six days, but is now seldom kept up for more than three; and those persons who have no

money or time to waste, are content to observe the first day only. The happy day is announced by the firing of guns from the citadel about midnight, at the supposed moment when the sun enters the constellation Aries, immediately after which the government band takes the note of gladness, and the drums and trumpets keep up a joyful uproar for several hours. In the morning, every one that meets a friend in the streets, or elsewhere, kisses him, according to the custom of the country, on both cheeks, and wishes him a joyful festival.

H. This seems something like what is done in England at Christmas.

U. O. Very much so: indeed, our Christmas practices give the only resemblance I can point out, to the Persian Nurooz. As at our Christmas, exchanges of presents are made at the Persian feast by all classes. These mostly consist of sweetmeats, of which the Persians are very fond. The poorest compliment one another in this way, exchanging little presents of flowers, oranges, and other articles of small value; they also use, for the same purpose, eggs boiled hard, with their shells painted or gilded.

H. That is odd enough.

U. O. Odd as it is, the same thing used to be done in this country at Easter, and is still, I have been told, in the northern counties. It is quite a common custom at Easter, among the Christians in the East; and I suppose we, in the West, got it from them. - I felt it pleasant to see the people exchanging little tokens of regard in this manner; and I dare say it is a very gratifying thing, when it takes place among themselves: but it is not so pleasant for a stranger to receive such marks of attention from them at this season, or indeed at any other season, as they are not contented with a return of equal value, and the servant who brings it must also have a large recompense. I have been in this way obliged to give as much for one orange, as would have bought a camel's load of oranges, in the market; and as much for some sweetmeats, as would have bought enough to satisfy all the children in London for a

month.

H. But why did you give it?

U. O. Because it would have been a greater evil not to have done so. With this be satisfied for the present, as I shall have to speak on the subject again, by and bye.

The king himself, on this occasion, sends sweetmeats and dresses of honour to the ministers and courtiers.

H. What are dresses of honour?

U. O. A dress presented to a person by the king, or other ruler. It is called kelat, and is much valued, as a mark of royal favour. — In Persia it consists of a complete suit of brocade, with a shawl; to which a sword is sometimes added, for the sake of greater distinction. A sword which the king himself has worn, is a very great honour, particularly as it has his name upon it, by which it is easily known from all others, and thus remains an enduring mark of the royal favour. A present of this sort is carried with some state to the house of the person for whom it is intended, who receives it at the door, and lifts it respectfully to his head, when it is put into his hands. The officer who brings it is entitled to a good sum of money as his recompense; and the amount is deducted from his salary by the king. This is the way in which great men in Persia pay their servants, by sending them with presents to persons, who must reward the servant, not according to the value of the articles sent, but according to the