here depends upon the strength a man has at command, each of
the beys is eager to purchase as many of these slaves as he can
maintain, and put them into posts where they may acquire the
means of procuring similar followers for themselves, that he may
enlarge the number of his partisans, and thus obtain the sovereignty
over his fellow beys, or at least preserve an equal share
of authority, without being overborn by a superiour. In this contest
for power battles are often fought; and he who can bring the
most followers into the field, or whose adherents are the bravest
and most expert in the use of their weapons, generally expels his
rival from the metropolis, if he do not deprive him of his life. ■
This martial retinue is happily very expensive, a circumstance
which tends to diminish the number-of tyrants. The dress of the
mamalukes consists of a wide shirt of yellowish cotton, over which
is a gown of india linen, or some of the light stuffs of Damascus
or Aleppo. -This gown is covered by the caftan, usually made of
some finer stuff, or silk, and having sleeves that reach down to the
ends of the fingers. These garments are fastened by a sash, that
divides them into two bundles. Overall these is worn thejouba, a
sort of coat nearly similar in shape to the former, only the sleeves
are cut at the elbow. This is made of cloth, sometimes without
lining, at other times lined throughout with fur, even in summer.
The benish, or robe of ceremony, is put over this, and so completely
covers the wearer, that even the ends of his fingers are not to be
seen. Out of this sack are thrust a bare neck, and a bald head
covered with a yellow turban, which has a roll of muslin artfully
folded up round it’s lower border. To complete this cumbersome
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