Manuscript of Persia and the Persian Question (Continued) [‎217r] (433/690)

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of remittances, arising
in the main from the constantiy fluctuating rate
of exchange—a point in which the institution of
banks in Persia may be expected to afford some
relief. Another is the utter contempt for the most
elementary principles of contract that is freely
displayed by tne Persian merchant. The
Persian’s conception of a contract is an agreement
which is only to be adhered to if attended with
certain profit to himself, but which may be
hilariously repudiated if a fall in prices or some
other oscillation in the market renders his own
share in the bargain one of dubious issue. He
will call upon the other party to the contract, and
coolly inform him, over several cups of coffee and
amid repeated f^aliam, that he declines to take the
articles agreed upon, which have very likely been
ordered all the way from England, ana are perhaps
on the verge of arriving at their destination.6? Ko
scruples of morality, no stings of remorse, not
oven any fear of the consequences, affect the com
placent egoism of the Persian trader ; and, in
the absence either of any code of commercial
honour or of any tribunals for enforcing legal
obligations, the deluded merchant must grin
and bear it. Sometimes no excuse whatever
is forthcoming. I bought some articles myself
of a dealer for the sum of 200 krans. Upon my
sending the next day to inquire why they had
not been delivered, the reply was returned that
the owner had repented of the bargain and
refused to part with them for less than 400
krans. Fraudulent bankruptcies, effected under
the sanction of a mujt^hid who has been bribed,
are another favourite device of the Persian who is
reluctant to pay. In fact, a commercial law, how
ever rudimentary, is greatly needed to protect
foreigners in their dealings with this amiable but
ultra-ing enious people.
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