SLI PPM/S.
Pantoufle, . Ftt. Pai-posh, . . . . PERS.
Pantoffel, . . . GER. Chinela, . . . . SP. Juti, Jora, . , . Him). Papoos, Sapata, . TAM. Pianella, In Turkey, Egypt, amongst the Persians, aild throughout British India, Muhammadans and Hindus take off their boots or alippers when they enter into a mosque or temple, or visit the shrine of their holy men, the Muhammadans giving as a reason that Moses was commanded by God to leave his slippers on approaching the. burning bush, because he was treading on holy ground. In Persia, a native never enters a room in boots or slippers ; and when a foreigner attempts any transgression of this usage, it is looked upon as the height of ill-breeding, if not quite a pre meditated insult. In some cases, where it has been intimated, reasons of policy have compelled an apparent toleration of the objection, by pro viding the expedient of receiving such visitors in the open air, but the necessity is always remen) bered with repugnance to the exactors. The custom of leaving the outward covering of the feet at the door is of very ancient practice all over the east, and especially so when the place to be trod ou is connected with any religious ideas.
We find it recorded so far back as in the Book of Exodus (iii. 4, 5), at the account of Moses turning aside to observe the burning bush, where it is written, "The Lord called to him, and said, Put off thy shoes front off thy feet ; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.' And again, we read in the Book of Joshua, that when that great captain of Israel was encamped in the plain of Gilgal, the same Divine Being appeared to him, and said to him also, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.' In British India, about A.D. 1850, the richer Hindus and Muhammadans who visited atnongst Europeans, began to wear patent leather shoes or boots to obviate the necessity of taking off their slippers ; but at native courts and at their places of worship the visitor enters either on his bare feet or on his stockings. It is a part of the customs of eastern races; from which they never deviate amongst themselves.