young girls, and may be either perfectly simple or
adorned with beads and cowrie shells according to the
fancy of the wearer ; it is perfectly effective as a dress,
and admirably adapted to the climate.
The rah&t is a fringe of fine dark brown or reddish
twine, fastened to a belt, and worn round thè waist.
On either side are two long tassels, that are generally
ornamented with beads or cowries, and dangle nearly
to the ankles, while the ràhàt itself should descend
to a little above the knee, or rather shorter than
a Highland kilt. Nothing can be prettier or more
simple than this dress, which, although short, is of
such thickly hanging fringe, that it perfectly answers
the purpose for which it is intended. Many of the
Arab girls are remarkably good-looking, with fine
figures until they become mothers. They generally
marry at the age of thirteen or fourteen, but frequently
at twelve, or even earlier. Until married,
the ràhat is their sole garment. Throughout the Arab
tribes of Upper Egypt, chastity is a necessity, as an
operation is performed at the early age of from three
to five years that thoroughly protects all females, and
which renders them physically proof against incon-
tinency.
There is but little love-making among the Arabs.
The affair of matrimony usually commences by a
present to the father of the girl, which, if accepted,
is followed by a similar advance to the girl herself,
and the arrangement is completed. All the friends
of both parties are called together for the wedding ;
pistols and guns are fired off, if possessed. There
is much feasting, and the unfortunate bridegroom
undergoes the ordeal of whipping by the relations
of his bride, in order to test his courage. Sometimes
this punishment is exceedingly severe, being inflicted
with the coorbatch or whip of hippopotamus hide,
which is cracked vigorously about his ribs and back;
If the happy husband wishes to be considered a
man worth having, he must receive the chastisement
with an expression of enjoyment; in which cage the
crowds of women in admiration again raise their
thrilling cry. After the rejoicings of the day are
over, the bride is led in the evening to the residence
of her husband, while a beating of drums and strumming
of guitars (rhababas) are kept up for some hours
during the night, with the usual discordant idea of
singing.
There is no divorce court among the Arabs. They
are not sufficiently advanced in civilization to accept
a pecuniary fine as the price of a wife’s dishonour;
but a stroke of the husband’s sword, or a stab with
the knife, is generally the ready remedy for infidelity*
Although strictly Mahometans, the women are never
veiled; neither do they adopt the excessive reserve
assumed by the. Turks and Egyptians. The Arab
women are generally idle; and one of the conditions
of accepting a suitor is, that a female slave is to be
provided for the special use of the wife. No Arab
woman will engage herself as a domestic servant;
thus, so long as their present customs shall remain