Outside the door there are generally ropes lying
on the ground, held down by stakes, for the purpose of tying up the
animals when they want to keep them together. There is a way of getting
over or round these ropes that I never learned, but on one occasion the
ignorant breach of the rule on our part excluded us from the hospitality
of the family." The feeling or superstition was in full force in Persia in
the 17th century, at least in regard to the threshold of the king's
palace. It was held a sin to tread upon it in entering. (Cathay, 132;
Rubr. 255, 268, 319; Plan. Carp. 625, 741; Makrizi, I. 214; Mel.
Asiat. Ac. St. Petersb. II. 660; The Siberian Overland Route, p. 97;
P. Della Valle, II. 171.)
[Mr. Rockhill writes (Rubruck, p. 104): "The same custom existed among
the Fijians, I believe. I may note that it also prevailed in ancient
China. It is said of Confucius 'when he was standing he did not occupy the
middle of the gate-way; when he passed in or out, he did not tread on the
threshold.' (Lun-yue, Bk. X. ch. iv. 2.) In China, the bride's feet must
not touch the threshold of the bridegroom's house, (Cf.
