26 APRIL 1873, Page 3

The Shah of Persia started this day week from Teheran

on his visit to Europe, in the presence of 80,000 people, who showered blessings upon him, and evidently regarded his departure as a great era in the history- of Persia. And so doubtless, to some extent at least, it will be. Nothing is more striking than this Eastern exodus in our day from Japan, China, India, and Persia, in search of the great Western instruments of power, which, as the East is only just beginning to realise, may be wielded by the children of the morning as well as by those of the evening. And it will cause a greater revolution still in character if they actually come to adopt not only the Western inventions an I machinery, but the Western hurry and effort in the conduct of life. But probably the change will come slowly. Even telegraphic wires cannot make people think or speak as fast as their thoughts and words are transmitted. And if the East is to be Occidentalised as regards institutions, may yet it dignity and calm be spared.