to be generous.  The Hammam has been too often noticed to bear another description:  one point, however, connected with it I must be allowed to notice.  Mr. Lane (Modern Egyptians) asserts that a Moslem should not pray nor recite the Koran in it, as the bath is believed to be a favourite resort of Jinnis (or genii).  On the contrary, it is the custom of some sects to recite a Ruk’atayn (two-bow) prayer immediately after religious ablution in the hot cistern.  This, however, is makruh, or improper without being sinful, to the followers of Abu Hanifah.  As a general rule, throughout Al-Islam, the Farz (obligatory) prayers may be recited everywhere, no matter how impure the place may be:  but those belonging to the classes sunnat (traditionary) and nafilah (supererogatory) are makruh, though not actually unlawful, in certain localities.  I venture this remark on account of the extreme accuracy of the work referred to.  A wonderful contrast to the generality of Oriental books, it amply deserves a revision in the rare places requiring care. [FN#34] Europeans so seldom see the regular old Shaykh, whose place is now taken by polite young men educated in England or France, that this scene may be new even to those who have studied of late years on the banks of the Nile. [FN#35] This word is often used to signify simply “yes.”  It is corrupted from Ay wa’llahi, “Yes, by Allah.”  In pure Arabic “ay” or “I” is synonymous with our “yes” or “ay”; and “Allah” in those countries enters somehow into every other phrase. [FN#36] This is, of course, ironical:  “Allah be praised for creating such a prodigy of learning as thou art!” [FN#37] The larger the turband the greater are the individual’s pretensions to religious knowledge and respectability of demeanour.  This is the custom in Egypt, Turkey, Persia, and many other parts of the Moslem world. [FN#38] Ya gad’a, as the Egyptians pronounce it, is used exactly like the “mon brave” of France, and our “my good man.” [FN#39] The “mountain” in Egypt and Arabia is what the “jungle” is in India.  When informed that “you come from the mountain,” you understand that you are considered a mere clodhopper:  when asserting that you will “sit upon the mountain,” you hint to your hearers an intention of turning anchorite or magician. [FN#40] Ya hu, a common interpellative, not, perhaps, of the politest description. [FN#41] A religious formula used when compelled to mention anything abominable or polluting to the lips of a pious man.

[p.74]Chapter V.

The Ramazan.

This year the Ramazan befell in June, and a fearful infliction was that “blessed month,” making the Moslem unhealthy and unamiable.  For the space of sixteen consecutive hours and a quarter, we were forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, snuff, and even to swallow our saliva designedly.  I say forbidden, for although the highest orders of Turks,-the class is popularly described as

“Turco fino
Mangia porco e beve vino."-