[111]. These disembodied “voices” speaking either naturally or through instruments are a recognised phenomenon of the so-called “Spiritualism.” See p. 115 of “Supramundane Facts,” &c., edited by T. J. Nichols, M.D., &c., London, Pitman, 1865. I venture to remark that the medical treatment by Mesmerism, Braidism and hypnotics, which was violently denounced and derided in 1850, is in 1887 becoming a part of the regular professional practice and forms another item in the long list of the Fallacies of the Faculty and the Myopism of the “Scientist.”
[112]. I may also note that the “Hátif,” or invisible Speaker, which must be subjective more often than objective, is a commonplace of Moslem thaumaturgy.
[113]. It may have been borrowed from Ulysses and the Sirens.
[114]. Two heroes of the Shahnámeh and both the types of reckless daring. The monomachy or duel between these braves lasted through two days.
[115]. The “Bágh” or royal tiger, is still found in the jungles of Mázenderán and other regions of Northern Persia.
[116]. In addressing the Shah every Persian begins with the formula “Kurbán-at básham” = may I become thy Corban or sacrifice. For this word (Kurbán) see vol. viii. 16.
[117]. The King in Persia always speaks of himself in the third person and swears by his own blood and head, soul, life and death. The form of oath is ancient: Joseph, the first (but not the last) Jew-financier of Egypt, emphasises his speech “by the life of Pharaoh.” (Gen. xiii. 15, 16).
[118]. Another title of the Shah, making him quasi-divine, at any rate the nearest to the Almighty, like the Czar and the Emperor of China. Hence the subjects bow to him with the body at right angles as David did to Saul (1 Sam. xxiv. 8) or fall upon the face like Joshua (v. 14).
[119]. A most improbable and absurd detail: its sole excuse is the popular superstition of “blood speaking to blood.” The youths being of the royal race felt that they could take unwarrantable liberties.
[120]. This is still a Persian custom because all the subjects, women as well as men, are virtually the King’s slaves.