'Through Persia on a side-saddle' [‎175] (208/360)

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ARABABAD AND SAGOTCH
175
it is considered that a man by killing himself has destroyed
unborn generations to which he might have been the
ancestor, and the mollahs beat his dead body with many
stripes, predicting much suffering for the deceased in the
next world.
At his death a man leaves double the portion of
property to his sons that he does to his daughters, and so
far does this division go, that I heard that a most beautiful
carpet had been cut into pieces by a family to whom it
was willed.
In the case of a Government official the chances of his
heirs are indeed poor, as, in all probability, the ruler of the
province will swoop down upon the deceased man's
property, on the time-honoured pretext that his accounts
are out of order. Even if it be subsequently proved that
everything is correct, yet the survivors will never be able to
recover the full amount of which they have been mulcted.
When a Persian lady is advanced in years, she often
becomes very devout, frankly telling every one that she is
preparing for the next world, and to this end she insists on
going on a pilgrimage. If possible, Mecca or Kerbelah
will be her goal, though, if want of means put these shrines
out of the question, she will perforce content herself with
Meshed. The journey is a serious affair, as she must
travel in the jolting kajaveh, or pannier, strapped on to a
mule, if she cannot afford the expensive takht-i-ravan,
and must keep herself veiled the whole time, however hot
the weather. Usually when the place of pilgrimage is
reached, the lady and her servants will settle down for a
year, and she will visit the mosque daily, present offerings