Page 562 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

does not seem to understand it in the least. M went to call on Ayesha and took James with her. Prior and
Parke came to dinner and afterwards I went down the town with them to look on at some of the Matems
where they have the special Muharram preachers. It seemed to me rather a poorer show than last year,
people are all so poor this year that they have not been able to hire such good men. We didnt stay very long
and the most interesting part is later on when they get worked up, that we missed. The procession at night
through the narrow streets with people carrying torches and all the queer sort of symbolical biers and things
looks very effective. Had a great many very nasty sweet drinks which made me feel rather sick. Some of the
old Matems are very like old country churches with pillars and arches and in some cases carved wooden
pillars which are very handsome. The preacher sits on a high sort of throne in the centre and the people sit
on the floor, on mats, all round, during part of the time they can smoke and drink coffee but later on this is
not done. There was a lot of fuss about some of the people using some of the musical instruments belonging
to the school for the procession, the ones who had not thought of it were very angry and said they would
smash them if they appeared.

Sunday 19th Muharram [8 June]

Went to the big show, the procession, in the morning with M and Dr Tiffany, neither of them had ever seen
it. As usual it was very late beginning. I put them on the top of a roof and then waited in the Municipal
offices till it started. It was a far smaller show than usual mainly as the Persians dont come here in such
numbers now a days. I found I had fever when I got back so retired to bed for the rest of the day. I had a bad
foot, a mosquito bite gone wrong which was the cause, felt quite ill and stayed in bed.

Monday [9 June]

Didnt go to the office and spent a lazy day indoors. My foot is much better after having been properly
attended to. The doctor came over though he himself is very seedy. Prior looked in. There was a dinner at
one of the Zayanis but I didnt go out.

Tuesday [10 June]

Office, felt rather limp. A violent shamaal wind, they say that the Bara wind started on Sunday, it is supposed
to last for about 40 days. Rashid bin Mohamed called about the house, he is the Shaikh's wife's father, he
was very violent about it and said they would do anything to prevent the other side from getting it. My
sympathies are with him as the others are always against Shaikh Hamed and one of them is the poisonous
relation who tried to murder him. Went to the Customs. Our tennis court is getting very broken up, such a
nuisance. Had tea at the Mission but did not play tennis. Down mail in. Drove to Rafaa. There is a rice boat
in from Calcutta which is bringing us a good deal of revenue. Decidedly limp after having fever, I had a
temperature of 103. My foot is practically recovered.

Wednesday 12th June