‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎217v] (441/722)

the Persians are of this ornament. All the young men sigh for it, and
grease their chins to hasten the growth of the hairs; because, until they
have there a respectable covering, they are supposed not fit to enjoy any
place of trust.
“ Another singular custom is that of dyeing the hands and feet. This is
done bv the abovementioned henna, which is generally put over every part
of the hands and nails, as far as the wrist and on the soles of the feet, the
toes, and nails/"’
The condition and treatment of the women of Persia is thus fully entered
upon by Sir John Malcolm :—
“ In Persia the lower classes deem females important in proportion as they
are useful in domestic duties; the higher consider them as born for their
sensual gratification. Women have, in fact, no assigned place in this com.
munity, but are what their husbands, or rather lords, may choose to make
them. A favourite may, by the power of her mental or personal charms,
establish an influence over her domestic tyrant, or she may obtain peculiar
respect on account of her superior birth, and the consequent dread which
her husband entertains of her relations. Other ties may produce still more
remarkable effects ; and habit and affection combined may lead a. son to
continue an attention or obedience to his mother that gives her an import
ance bevond the walls of the harem. But these rare instances, though they
sometimes form women of superior knowledge and character, yet can have
no effect in counteracting the evil consequences, which their total exclusion
from society has upon the manners and morals of mem
“ The natives of Persia, like all Muhammadans, consider themselves entitled
to an unlimited indulgence in the pleasures of the harem ; and though they
are restrained by religious considerations from marrying more than four
wives, they conceive themselves at liberty to increase the number of females
in their family to any extent that suits their inclination or their conveni
ence. The priesthood are expected to be the most moderate in their use
of the indulgence granted by their Prophet; and we may judge of their
habits by the remark of a very grave historian who, after an animated
eulogium upon the character of a priest of high reputation, concludes by
observing that ‘ the continence of this virtuous man was so extraordinary,
that it is affirmed that during his life he never had intercourse with any
other females except his four legitimate wives ! ! *
“ The Persians are entitled by law and usage, to take females, not within
the prohibited degrees of kindred, in three different ways—by marriage, by
purchase, and by hire. Their marriages are made according to prescribed
forms. The female is betrothed by the parents. She may, however, refuse
her consent when the priest comes to require it; and the marriage cannot
pi'oceed if she continues averse to it. But this rarely happens, as the
parties never see one another before they are united; and seldom hear
any reports of each other but what are favourable. A woman has this
and many other rights according to the Muhammadan law; but a being,
who is first immured by her parents, and afterwards by her husband,
and whose name it is almost a crime to pronounce, can practically have
little protection from these useless privileges. The nuptial ceremony
must take place before two or more witnesses. The contract of marriage is
regularly made out by an officer of the law, who attends. It is then attested
and given to the female, who preserves it with great care; for it is also the
deed by which she is entitled to her dower, which is the principal part of her