their local leaders, but with all events in the civilized world. The establishment of newspapers had done much. Some of the titles of these organs of more advanced thought are significant — among them are the * Majlis ' (Assembly), ' Progress,' ' Gabriel's Trumpet,' * New Iran,' and a dozen others — while the growth of expressed public opinion and the utterance of the hitherto unknown watchword of ' liberty, equality, and fra- ternity ' are notable evidences of the new spirit that prevails.^
Signs of progress were equally noticeable in the introduction of municipal regulations and the improvement of matters of domiciling. Buildings of two stories were not wholly unknown as modest forebears of a possible future generation of sky- scrapers; houses were numbered; and names of streets were indicated. The quota of phaetons that gave accommodation for driving about the city was notably increased, and the prices tended more to conform to a recognized tariff. The main thoroughfares were occasionally sprinkled and cleaned, and reg- ularly mounted guards (unfortunately still necessary) patrolled the streets at night to preserve order. Minor municipal regula- tions had been introduced in increasing numbers and met with better observance, while even so modern an institution as the Western diversion of ' moving pictures ' and the entertainment of the gramophone had been introduced to stay. These are but trifles, and undoubtedly they seem so to the more casual reader ; but to the observer, who turns to look at the last page of the story of advance, they are signs of the times, veritable omens by which to forecast the future.
By way of general judgment, this may be said : If the re- form movement, so well instituted, and the preponderance of liberal ideas are to succeed in the Land of the Shah, then there must be more education in Persia. Only in this way can the masses, who are yet unprepared, be made capable of administer- ing the privileges of government that are already in their hands. The outlook in this respect is not unpromising. Furthermore,
1 See Wishard, Twenty Years^ p. 335 ; Browne, Persian Bevolution, p. 143.
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