Note 103 — HASSAN OR THE CHILD OF THE PYRAMID (continued 5)

Wrestling-matches (called musàara in Arabic and kushty in Persian) are a very favourite exercise among the populations of both countries, and at them, as at the games of cricket in England and curling in Scotland, the higher and lower classes contend on a footing of equality. A highly respected and talented British Minister at the Court of Tehran used frequently to “try a fall” with some of his own servants at a gymnasium near the mission residence. We insert this note in order to prevent our readers from supposing that our hero had degraded himself by accepting the unexpected challenge of the Darfouri.