goes into a house, of yellow leather; the inner ones, generally of
similar leather, but sometimes of cloth, or silk. The mamalukes,
whom we have noticed already, have no gold twist round their
turban.
Dress is an object of considerable attention among the ladies,
whose husbands are in the least degree of affluence. The following
is the description of that of a merchant’s wife at Cairo. On
her head a round diadem, like a plate, covered with an india
shawl, which conceals all the hair in front, only a few locks appear
at the temples; and the hair behind is interlaced with gold
twist, reaching down to the small of the back, and having various
ornaments of gold fastened to it. Round the arms, bracelets of
gold. A fine shirt of silk and cotton, with striped sleeves. A gown
of silk, flowered with gold and silver, and reaching to the feet,
with large sleeves. An india shawl as a sash. A pelisse of coloured
silk lined with fur, which reaches to the calf of the leg. A
pair of silk trowsers of some light showy colour. Inside shoes of
silk embroidered with gold, and outside shoes of the same. Her
slave commonly wears a shirt of silk and cotton; a very short
gown, with a sash of common muslin either worked or printed ;
and a pair of striped trowsers.
Among the amusements of Egypt, as well as of the more polished
countries of Europe, the exhibition of public dances makes
a part. The female performers on these occasions wear a band of
black silk, covering half the forehead, and concealing all the hair
in front: a handkerchief of yellow cotton, with flowers and stripes
of various colours, bound round the head above the ears: the hair
M t jM D n r o f C a i r o ,