'Through Persia on a side-saddle' [‎16] (27/360)

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INTRODUCTION
nothing of the authorities. But a natural explanation of
the circumstance is afforded. The travellers had found
there " a delightful change from tent life .... comfortable
rooms .... a huge budget of letters and papers," and
other means of passing a pleasant week. The English
home to which they were welcomed by the Vice-Consul
and his lady, and a glimpse of European society, were
irresistible in their way. In my time such an episode of
travel would have been indeed unexpected. I saw no
Vice-Consul at Yezd, nor was there any talk of the
appointment.
It would hardly be fitting to select passages for extract
from this pleasant and instructive little volume, which may
well be left to tell its own tale. Now reproduced in an
abridged form, it still remains a faithful portraiture of
Persian life and manners, and is by no means discouraging
to those of our countrywomen who, like Miss Sykes,
have been led by the course of events to take up
temporary residence in Asia. Miss Sykes has asked me
to speak of her book in the light of my own experience.
Should I have done so in a manner which may appear
perfunctory, I must ask excuse in the fact that fluency
might involve repetition and be otherwise inexpedient.
One word in conclusion. " Of course the Oriental point
of view is not the European one," is one of the many
naively but forcibly expressed truths in the volume under
consideration. This cannot be too frequently inculcated
on statesmen, secretaries, and others in any way responsible
for our relations with Persia — and vice vevsd, ought
perhaps to have been added, as implying a caution of
which all Englishmen may stand in need equally with
diplomatists. p q