The Bairam and the Nurooz are the two great festivals of the Persians; and they are more fortunate than other Moslems who have only the former. Many of the observances of the season are very pleasing. I used to take great satisfaction in walking about in the streets on the first day of the Bairam, and see the people passing to and fro in their best clothes, and their countenances full of real delight in having got clear of that terrible fast. Then when acquaintances meet in the street, they kiss each other upon both cheeks, and utter mutual wishes for prosperity and health.

J. Men kiss each other, Uncle !

U. O. Yes and the custom is not peculiar to Asia, but is frequent also in Europe, particularly among the Germans. During the Bairam, the Persians give entertainments, and divert themselves with all sorts of sports and merry makings.

H. All sorts! not our sorts?

U. O. Yes: many of the amusements at this and other public feasts in Persia resemble those which are used on similar occasions in England and other countries. Very few of our common amusements are peculiar to our own coun

try; and some may be traced not only to other countries of Europe, but to ancient Egypt and the remote East. Those of the Persians are illuminations, fire-works, wrestlers, jugglers, buffoons, puppet shows, musicians and dancing boys. Most of these amusements would only interest the lower classes in England; but in Persia they give as much satisfaction to the highest as to the lowest. Among their public amusements, I was surprised to discover a machine like the roundabout at English fairs, only of a much ruder construction. It consists of two rope seats,

hung like a pair of scales from a large stake fixed in the ground. I used to see the seats crowded with full-grown men, who, like our own boys, enjoy the continual twirl in which a man labours to keep the machine.

F. Well I should never have thought to find a round-about in Persia.

U. O. Nor had I thought to find in the East so many things as I did find resembling those of the West. This is a great pleasure to a traveller in remote countries, who is delighted with any thing that brings to mind his own home and country. On this principle I have been much more gratified to discover a nettle grow

ing in some solitary ravine of distant mountains, than I should have been to find mountains and valleys covered with rose-trees.

F. I can understand that. U. O. I am glad you can. There is another remarkable feast held by the Persians and all Mohammedans in the last month of their year. The feast is called the "Little Bairam" by travellers; but the Persians call it Eed-ul-Korban or the "feast of sacrifice," as it is said to be observed in commemoration of Abraham's intended sacrifice of his son Isaac. On this day men of great consequence, as princes and governors of provinces, go forth from the gates of the towns in great state, and slay richly-caparisoned camels with their own hands. Pieces of the flesh are roasted on the spot, and distributed to the principal persons present, who eat it with great avidity. If this is at court, the first pieces are reserved for the king and the royal family. I believe it was formerly the custom for the king himself to strike the first blow at the victim.

J. Do they eat up all the camel in this way? U. O. No: after the principal persons have satisfied themselves, the rest is abandoned to the poor. They live well at this time; for it is

the custom for every one who can afford it to kill a sheep, lamb, or goat; in consequence of which such great quantities are killed, that the inhabitants are often unable to consume the meat before it spoils, which it does very soon in Persia.

F. Then what do they do with it, Uncle?

U. O. I have been told that men from the wilder sort of tribes come to the towns on such occasions, carry away the carcases, and dry the flesh for future use. At this festival, as at the other, the inhabitants dress in their best clothes, and embrace one another in the streets, wishing a happy festival. The lower classes are particularly joyous on this occasion, as they get as much meat as they can eat without paying for it and I have always observed that in countries where animal food is not common, a good mess of it seems almost intoxicating, being received with such visible exultation and delight, as can only be compared to that which a vessel of strong drink would produce in England.

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This is enough about fasts and festivals; let us now inquire about their prayers. Prayer occupies a considerable part of the daily attention and time in Moslem countries. There is

this passage in the Koran: "Glorify God when the evening overtaketh you, and when you rise in the morning; and unto him be praise in heaven and earth; and at sunset, and when you rest at noon."

H. That is four times.

U. O. So I should understand; but there is something in the form of words has led the expounders of the law to decide that five times are meant; and there are accordingly five fixed times of prayer every day in all Moslem countries. The first is in the morning before sunrise; the second, when noon is past; the third, in the afternoon, before sunset; the fourth, in the evening, when the sun has set; and the fifth, when night has set in. You may easily imagine that it must be a great burden to them to be obliged to say the same words, and to go through the same postures and ceremonies five times a day all their lives.

H. But does every body do it?

U. O. No: but a greater proportion of the people do so than one would suppose likely ; because they believe that their going to heaven hereafter depends very much upon their punctuality in this respect. I think there are few