PECULIAR COURT ETIQUETTE

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 374, 6 October 1874, Page 3

PECULIAR COURT ETIQUETTE

The rulers of Morrooco have no divan or inidjcils, and the court etiquette is extremely strict. Only some persons are allowed to be seated — viz., the princes, governors of the provinces, and influential Schufta, whilst common mortals mu-t either kneel or aquae in the presence of the Sultan. Petitioners who Lave obtained an audience must prefer their requests from a distance in a kneeling position, after first kissing the ground. In order that the Sultan may never be ie mnded of death, the word " dead must not be mentioned in bis presence. To get over this difficulty it is the custom if anyone wishes to indicate the decease of a person, to say that he has fulfilled his destiny. Likewise the number five must never be spoken in the Sultan's haaring ; the speaker must §ay "four and one," or three and two." Tins strange custom is thus explained :—": — " Five is the number of the fingers of the hand, and the symbol of despotic power. In all Mohammedan countries one frequently sees a red painted hand on the outside of the houses ; this is supposed to act as a charm against violence, and a3a protection to property. The dwelling is thereby placed under the imisible power of a strong hand. If anyone wishes to speak of a Jew in t In* presence of the Sultan he must first of all a»k " haschak " or " parden," the Jews being considered ns unclean. No one is allowed to appear before the Sultan with his slippers on, though the chief officers of State are permitted to wear their small yellow leathern boots. There are no decorations in Morocco, though in the year 1864 it wae proposed to found an order, that of Sultan Solomon (the Jewish king) and medals irere formed like those which King Theodore of Abyssinia had made. The greatest distinction the Sultan shows anyone is when he takes off his burnous or cloak and presents it to them. Persons of rauk are allowed to kiss his hand; his brothers, hii children, and his especial favourites may also kiss the palm of his hand. The following amusing story of an English nobleman, recently deceased, is told by the correspondent of a contemporary. "The duke," he says," was once in church when a collection was announced for some charitable object- The plate began to go round, and the duke carefully put his hand into his pocket and took out a florin, which ho laid on the pew before him ready to be transferred to the plate. Beside him sat a snob, who, noticing this action, imitated it by ostentatiously laying a sovereing alongside the ducal florin. Thii was too much for his grace, who dipped his hand again into his pocket and pulled ont another florin, which ho ltid by the first. The little snob followed suit by laying another sovereign beside the first. His grace quietly added a third florin, which was capped by a third sovereign on the pnrt of the little snob. Out came a fourth florin to swell the Duke's donation, and then the little snob triumphantly laid three sovereigns at once upon the board. The Duke, not to be beaten, produced three florins. Just at this moment the plale arrived. The little snob took up his handful of sovereigns, ostentatiously rattled them into the plate, and then turned defiantly towards his rivul, as if he would say, " I think that takes the shine out of you,' Fancy his chagrin when the Duke with a grim smile, put one florin into the plate, and quietly swept the remaining sis back into Ins pocket. A well-known member of the bar, whilst severely crossexamining an applicant for his discharge in the Bankruptcy Couit. receivpd a very brief, if not satisfactory, reply to some of hi* inquiries from the insolvent, who, from the " wirettfii liidonation nut vich he spoake de English language," could not well be tn ken for an Irishman. 'What property had you previously to going into business?" inquired the barrister* "De same as vot I've got now," replied tho bankrupt. "Ah ! and what may that be pray?" continued the legal gentleman. " Uotings," quietly responded the questionsd individual. The barrister changed the line of inquiry, amidst a general laugh, which was not confined to the floor of the Court, and in which he good-naturedly joined.