FOOTNOTES:

FOOTNOTES:[1]The Rev. J. Russell’s Nubia and Abyssinia, p. 179.—Tr.[2]A pastoral race.[3]Birket, as found on the maps of Arrowsmith.[4]A hermit, and also a schoolmaster.[5]Slave Merchants; Merchants in general; called, also, Djelabs, Gelabs, and Jelabs. Vid. “Legh’s Narrative of a Journey in Egypt and the Countries beyond the Cataracts” and, also, the Journal of Captain Light.—Tr.[6]The German orthography has been generally followed, as it is impossible to give the exact spelling of these names, without being furnished with the Arab characters.—Tr.[7]Accounts, it would appear, are kept incurrent piastresof Egypt, each piastre being equivalent to forty paras. Fifteen and a half or sixteen piastres are = one Spanish dollar; hence one piastre = three pence halfpenny of English money, and five paras would, therefore, be about one halfpenny English. For further informationvideEncyclopædia Britanica, vol. iii. Article Egypt.[8]This noble animal will probably be found stuffed in the royal Museum at Munich, for Mehemed Ali presented it to the Conseillier d’Etat Schubert who was at Cairo in the year 1836.[9]A coin which is no longer current, but was equal to two piastres ten para, about twelve and a half kreuzer current = eight pence of English money.—Tr.[10]A solemn feast kept by the Moslemin; the great Baëram, commences on the 10th of Dhu Ihajia; the little Baëram is held at the close of the fast Ramadhan.—Tr.[11]Sennaar and Kordofan; Dongola is also under his sway, but does not belong to the Belled Soodan.[12]Between Ambukol and Khartoom.[13]The ardeb is equivalent to very nearly five English bushels.—Lane.Modern Egyptians, Library of Entertaining Knowledge.—Tr.[14]Holcus arundinaceus, orSorghum vulgare, of Linnæus, andHolcus Doura, of Forskaël.—Tr.[15]The Cantaro is = 100 Rotoli, but the rotolo has different weights. The former is = 150 lb avoirdupois; the latter = 6159 grs. English, or, also, to 18 oz. avoirdupois.—Tr.[16]A general term for millet, whetherpanicum miliaceum, orholcus spicata; it is theholcus docknaof Forskaël.—Tr.[17]Ornithomyzes, a family of apterous and parasitic insects, vulgarly called “tics.” The latin nameRicinus, is taken from Varro, and not well chosen, as it is liable to be confounded with the plant of the same name. Vid.Dictionnaire des Sciences naturelles, tom. xlv. articleRicins.—Tr.[18]Shebé or Sheb, native alum.—Tr.[19]Telka or Telg, a species of pomatum.—Tr.[20]These Sheikhs, or saints, are what we call idiots. They are unfortunate beings, who, although neglected by nature, are considered in this country as direct apostles from God, to inform the children of man of their destiny. These poor wretches are all but idolized, every one being anxious to shew them the utmost respect. When they walk out in the streets, they are stopped by old and young, who kiss their face, hands, and even their feet, and offer them everything they wish for. Beings of this description are generally very apathetic, and accept little or nothing; they are, in fact, generally to be met dressed in the most disgusting clothes, in rags, or utterly naked, although they would be provided with the finest raiment if they merely expressed the slightest wish. Their parents, sisters, or other relations, on the other hand, know how to turn their misfortune to the best account, and accept considerable presents for their intercession with these saints, or for procuring others an opportunity of consulting this oracle. They give the most absurd and ridiculous answers to questions that are put to them, partly as a consequence of their fatuity, and partly because taught to do so; it is, indeed, scarcely possible at times to guess at their meaning. The more absurd the answer, the more contented is the party interested; and absolutely delighted, if he can only make out a single word of the whole rodomontade, which in the slightest agrees with his wishes. To these saints the women flock in numbers to beg for fertility. Besides these Sheikhs, there are others, and Fakéers, who write amulets, which the women wear on their arms, or heads, firmly believing that their most fervent wishes will be then fulfilled. The latter profession is exceedingly lucrative, and I have seen several persons who had made a small fortune in this manner, and very well understood the art of imposing on the people, and of persuading them to purchase a fresh charm, although experience must have convinced them of the futility of the last.[21]Tarabuka, a drum, which is beaten with the hand.[22]Takie.[23]The Arab term for the Sesamum.—Tr.[24]Spica nardus;Valeriana celtica.—Tr.[25]The fruit of theprunus mahaleb, or perfumed cherry, a native of Austria.—Tr.[26]Dhofer is the shell of an animal found on the Red Sea, cut into small pieces and used as a perfume, emitting a pleasant odour when held over the fire.Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 286.—Tr.[27]The use of Kophel is of very great antiquity, and is mentioned in the New Testament by the term στιβίζειν.—Tr.[28]The miners in Germany form almost a particular caste, and are distinguished from every other artizan by the peculiarities of their dress. It consists of a black half smock of glazed linen, with wide sleeves, contracted at the wrist, decorated with innumerable buttons, and reaches to the waist, where it is fastened by a broad belt. A leather apron, worn either in front, or, during their work, reversed, completes the uniform. The latter article of dress is essential to them in their occupation, which consists of sitting on the hard rock and breaking the ore away with their hammers. The head is covered with a thick felt hat, without a brim, on the crown of which the lantern or candle is placed, during their descent into the mines.—Tr.[29]It is customary among Europeans travelling on the Nile, to hoist their national flag, a custom which is the more necessary, as they, by so doing, avoid many enquiries, which are made at different places by the local police, and thus save themselves much trouble, and unnecessary delay.[30]Chesnut, or maize flour, boiled in water, a species of flummery.—Tr.[31]Bamié, or bamíyeh, the esculenthibiscus: the part eaten is a polygonal pod full of seeds and nutritive mucilage.Lane’s Modern Egyptians, note,p. 199.—Tr.[32]The oock’ckah is = 400 dir’hems, is from 3 lb. 3 oz. 13¾ dwt., to 3 lb. 4 oz. troy; or from 2 lb. 11 oz. 8 dr. 18¾ gr., to about, or nearly 2 lb. 12 oz., or 2¾ lb. avoirdupois. VideLane’s Modern Egyptians, Library of Entertaining Knowledge, appendix, p. 578.—Tr.[33]A pomatum for anointing the body, prepared from Spikenard, Mahaleb, and Tuffer. Burckhardt, in his Travels in Nubia, p. 200, mentions a preparation of sheep’s-fat, soap, musk, pulverized sandal-wood, senbal,i. e., Spikenard, and Mahaleb. Brown names as one of the articles of this unguent,dufr, a species of shell of a fish used for perfume.—Brown’s Travels in Africa, Egypt, and Syria.—Tr.[34]Or rather, probably, excision, a custom of great antiquity.—VideStrabo Lib.xvii., Καὶ τὰ παιδία περιτεμνειν καὶ τὰ θήλεα ἐκτέμνειν.—Tr.[35]Mulieri in manum conventuræ mentulæ suæ imaginem ligneam seu luto formatam sponsus mittit.—Tr.[36]See the chapter entitled the capital Lobeid.[37]Public dancing girls.—Tr.[38]It is, of course, understood, that travellers from Cairo are furnished with provisions of all kinds, whereas those returning from the Belled-Soodan are merely provided with red lentils. A singular fate has brought us five times unexpectedly together, within the space of five years, in three different quarters of the globe; the last time we met in a miserable village, in the Isle of Cyprus, towards the end of last year.[39]Lu, lu, lu!This cry has a triple signification. It expresses joy, grief, and danger, and serves also as an encouragement in battle. The intonation of these sounds determines the difference of their import. It may be readily recognised when it has been frequently heard, but cannot be described.[40]Bakkara are a race of Arabs who occupy themselves with breeding cattle.[41]Evil Spirit.—Tr.[42]Johara.—Tr.[43]The most prevalent means, in most Mooslem countries, of exciting what the Arabs term “Keyf,” which I cannot more nearly translate than by the word “exhilaration,” is tobacco, whose accompaniment is usually the cup of coffee.—Lane’s Modern Egyptians, vol. ii., ch. 2., p. 35-6.—Tr.[44]Maxima mihi etiam apud hoc nigrorum genus generationis organa observandi fuit occasio.[45]Hic cinctus pudenda tegit.[46]A custom more especially prevalent in the Harz mountains on the evening of 1st of May, the night of Walpurgis, when fires are lighted on the hills, and torches tossed into the air, to drive away the witches, who are supposed on this occasion to be making holiday. This custom is alluded to in Goëthe’s Faust.—Tr.[47]A white cap, worn beneath the Tarboósh.[48]A red cap, with a silk tassel.[49]The pod of a tree with which the natives tan leather in Kordofan.[50]This earth is found near Shendy, and is said to be met with in several places on the White Nile also.[51]It resembles the tomato in shape and size, grows in a similar manner, and has a very unpleasant taste.[52]Thechaussureconsists of shoes and sandals, but a part of them appear on parade barefooted, for they are not over rigid disciplinarians; the covering to the head, like that of all the other troops, is the turboosh—a red cap, and the only article of dress about them in decent preservation.[53]Situated at a distance of four hours’ march from Cairo. This school was subsequently removed to Cairo at the advice of Prince Pückler-Muskau.[54]Solanum Lycopersicum.—Tr.[55]Citrus Decumana, the shaddock?—Tr.[56]Long-staple, Sea island, Egyptian cotton.[57]Long staple, common Egyptian cotton.—Tr.[58]Heglig, of Browne; Agihalid, of Adamson; the Balanites Egyptiaca in theDescription de l’Egypte, publiée parPanckoucke. Forskael mentions the fruit of the eglit, but not the tree.—Tr.[59]The Acacia.—Tr.[60]Cucifera thebaica, in theDescription de l’Egypte.—Tr.[61]Faecher palme, Borassus flabelliformis, of Forskael.—Tr.[62]“Peace be on you,” the greeting of peace, to which the response is, “On you be peace.” This is the salutation of Mooslims to each other only.—Vide,Lane’s Modern Egyptians, p. 273.—Tr.[63]Buffaloes.—Tr.[64]The oschour of Burckhardt and Browne.—Tr.[65]Of the Acacia, according to Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 264.—Tr.[66]Girbe.—Tr.[67]Vid.Chapterxix.[68]The Kashef, or impression of the seal, is customary over the whole of the East, and a signature, although in the handwriting of the individual, does not render a document, or other paper, valid unless it be at the same time sealed with the Kashef, or initials of the writer.[69]An expression in use among the natives of Egypt, Syria, and Arabia, to denote an amusement and every description of ornament or pomp; thus the women are said to have afantasiaon their heads or dress, as they go out to witness afantasia.[70]Wind and heat cause a diminution in the weight of the gum before it reaches Cairo.[71]Cisme, or shishme, a small grain of the size and shape of the smallest lentil of a deep black shining colour is imported from Darfour. It is pulverized and rubbed into the eyelids for complaints of the eye.—Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 262.—Tr.[72]Vide the following chapters.[73]Spikenard, from Carinthia, is as indispensable as bread in this country, it is employed, as before-mentioned, in the preparation of telka, which every woman must possess, or she has the right of divorce. The rottolo of one pound is sold at four or five piasters (one shilling and twopence to one shilling and sixpence). This article is already in demand in the negro states, and the consumption will greatly increase in the space of a few years.[74]Dogas, manufactured in Carniola and Styria, are iron plates of various sizes, furnished with a ring and hook, and employed for the purpose of baking bread. They are indispensable to the caravans.[75]The razors (the commonest sort manufactured in the capital of Styria,) are not used for shaving the beard; some few natives employ them for the hair of the head, but the greater number for shaving the hair of the pudenda. They are also put into use in the circumcision of girls and in the mutilation of boys.[76]Two-edged swords, of Austrian manufacture, are thirty-six inches and a half in length, and one inch and three-quarters in breadth, of equal diameter throughout, and rounded off inferiorly. Seven inches and a quarter in the curve, and marked: ♁ with a lion. The scabbards and hilts are made in the country. They are in most request in Darfour. The sale is attended with considerable profit, but those marked with a death’s-head from the workshops of Peter Knell, in Solingen, are preferred.[77]Antimony from various mines in the province of Austria, and reduced to a powder, is used as a cosmetic by the women and girls, who cover their eyelids with it.[78]Arsenic from different parts of Austria is bought in those negro states where gold is found. It is transmitted from Kordofan as far as Bunda.[79]Iron wire and brass wire from the Tyrol and the province of Austria, is in great request in all parts of Africa for the decoration of lances and tobacco-pipes, and also for ear-rings. In some districts the natives wear as many as ten brass rings in one ear.[80]Common cloths from Bohemia termed technically Londerin seconds. The scarlet colours are preferred in Darfour.[81]Glass beads from Bohemia play a very prominent part in the commerce of Africa. In some places the red are in demand, in others again the blue or yellow beads, but where a particular colour does not happen to be fashionable, there is no sale for them even at the cost price.[82]Card counters are in request in most of the negro states, they are worn by the women as an ornament in the head-dress.[83]Narghilé, the glass water-reservoirs of the Persian pipes.—Tr.[84]Brick or ebrigh ablution vases, in the form of a coffee biggin; those in general use in the East are made of copper, but those of glass are also frequently to be met with.—Tr.[85]Drinking-cups of glass, shaped like our tea-cups.—Tr.[86]I furnished Dr. Madden, who was sent by the English “Society for the Abolishment of the Slave Trade,” to Egypt, with the body of the matter of this and the following chapter at his urgent request, and that of several other gentlemen who were totally at a loss for correct information on the slave-hunts annually taking place in the provinces of the Pasha of Egypt. I was the more willing to assist him in this undertaking, as it was the intention of the Society to make representations to Mehemed Ali on this subject, and thus to endeavour to save thousands of unfortunate victims. This and the subsequent chapter have appeared in the second volume of the “British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Reporter,” No. 28, Jan. 13th, 1841.[87]Gasua originally means a campaign against the infidels, and is the same word as razzia so often heard in Algiers, merely differing in pronunciation.[88]Dire.—Tr.[89]The information I was able to collect was communicated to the celebrated French traveller, Antoine d’Abbadie, who laid it before the Academy in Paris and the Geographical Society in London; by the latter it was subsequently published in the Athenæum, of 18th January 1840. As regards the White Nile, more accurate information may now have been obtained through the expedition sent in the year 1840, for the third time, by Mehemed Ali, to trace the river to its source.[90]In theAthenæumthis place is erroneously called Bab-Belull, its correct name is Cab-Belull.[91]I consider myself justified in annexing these few remarks on Darfour to the description of Kordofan, although somewhat irrelevant to the subject, as so little is yet known of that kingdom, and the source of my information may be considered very authentic; for I had it from no less a person than Sultan Abumedina, the brother of the Sultan of Darfour, and I am, moreover, of opinion that it will not be altogether useless in a geographical point of view.[92]Runga is situated on a river, believed to be the White Nile, and is said to be a fertile country, with a very healthy climate. Bananas, wild grapes, lemons, and three sorts of potatoes, grow in the country; the first is a small and curved variety, which grows without cultivation in the sand; the second variety resembles the European potatoe in shape and flavour, and is planted; the third, which is also cultivated, is a giant potatoe, said to attain the weight of twelve oock’ckahs, equal to twenty-seven pounds. The country is supposed to be very rich in silver ore, of which but little use is made, as the smelting costs the natives too much trouble. Darfour draws a great deal of ivory and rhinoceros’ horn from this country, but it has no camels. Islamism has made great progress there within the last few years. The religion of the natives is exceedingly simple; they believe in the existence of an invisible deity who produces water, namely rain, and makes their fruit to grow. They pay, further, great respect to persons afflicted with fatuity, and believe them to be prophets of the invisible God. They build peculiar huts for these beings, more like birdcages than houses, where they are confined, and provided with food. Before sunset the populace visits them to consult them for advice, and every answer, be it ever so nonsensical, is regarded as an oracle, and firmly believed. The same ideas are said to prevail in Banda, Wuanga, Binga, and Gulla.[93]In Binga a large quantity of copper ore is found, which is met with in commerce in Kordofan, and converted into anklets for the women, weighing about one pound each; it has not the same characteristics as the European copper, but bears a nearer resemblance to brass; its colour is pale yellow.[94]A caravan leaves Bergu annually for Tripoli. The distance from Bergu to Kobbe, the chief commercial town of Darfour, is twenty days’ march. Since Bergu has become tributary to Darfour, European goods have found their way into the latter country from Tripoli by way of Bergu.[95]Bagermi.—Tr.[96]Banda has been vaunted to me as a country rich in gold; it is also said to possess a large quantity of white copper.[97]At present any traveller might reach Darfour, but he would never return, because the reigning Sultan looks upon every white man as a spy of Mehemed Ali’s. Mohammed Fadel’s chief wish is to have some European settlers in his country; he even invited me through a Djelabi, to come; for he is well aware that Mehemed Ali has set his eye upon Darfour. An European died eight years ago in that kingdom: he was a renegade, and stood very high in the favour of the Court. He has left two full-grown sons; but I could neither discover his name, nor the country he came from.[98]I have frequently dined at his table, and when I, on one of these occasions, observed no bread, and asked the reason, he answered: bread is only for servants and slaves; but that it had never been a custom of the Sultans of Darfour to eat bread.[99]It need scarcely be mentioned that this change of government has not yet taken place.—Tr.

[1]The Rev. J. Russell’s Nubia and Abyssinia, p. 179.—Tr.

[2]A pastoral race.

[3]Birket, as found on the maps of Arrowsmith.

[4]A hermit, and also a schoolmaster.

[5]Slave Merchants; Merchants in general; called, also, Djelabs, Gelabs, and Jelabs. Vid. “Legh’s Narrative of a Journey in Egypt and the Countries beyond the Cataracts” and, also, the Journal of Captain Light.—Tr.

[6]The German orthography has been generally followed, as it is impossible to give the exact spelling of these names, without being furnished with the Arab characters.—Tr.

[7]Accounts, it would appear, are kept incurrent piastresof Egypt, each piastre being equivalent to forty paras. Fifteen and a half or sixteen piastres are = one Spanish dollar; hence one piastre = three pence halfpenny of English money, and five paras would, therefore, be about one halfpenny English. For further informationvideEncyclopædia Britanica, vol. iii. Article Egypt.

[8]This noble animal will probably be found stuffed in the royal Museum at Munich, for Mehemed Ali presented it to the Conseillier d’Etat Schubert who was at Cairo in the year 1836.

[9]A coin which is no longer current, but was equal to two piastres ten para, about twelve and a half kreuzer current = eight pence of English money.—Tr.

[10]A solemn feast kept by the Moslemin; the great Baëram, commences on the 10th of Dhu Ihajia; the little Baëram is held at the close of the fast Ramadhan.—Tr.

[11]Sennaar and Kordofan; Dongola is also under his sway, but does not belong to the Belled Soodan.

[12]Between Ambukol and Khartoom.

[13]The ardeb is equivalent to very nearly five English bushels.—Lane.Modern Egyptians, Library of Entertaining Knowledge.—Tr.

[14]Holcus arundinaceus, orSorghum vulgare, of Linnæus, andHolcus Doura, of Forskaël.—Tr.

[15]The Cantaro is = 100 Rotoli, but the rotolo has different weights. The former is = 150 lb avoirdupois; the latter = 6159 grs. English, or, also, to 18 oz. avoirdupois.—Tr.

[16]A general term for millet, whetherpanicum miliaceum, orholcus spicata; it is theholcus docknaof Forskaël.—Tr.

[17]Ornithomyzes, a family of apterous and parasitic insects, vulgarly called “tics.” The latin nameRicinus, is taken from Varro, and not well chosen, as it is liable to be confounded with the plant of the same name. Vid.Dictionnaire des Sciences naturelles, tom. xlv. articleRicins.—Tr.

[18]Shebé or Sheb, native alum.—Tr.

[19]Telka or Telg, a species of pomatum.—Tr.

[20]These Sheikhs, or saints, are what we call idiots. They are unfortunate beings, who, although neglected by nature, are considered in this country as direct apostles from God, to inform the children of man of their destiny. These poor wretches are all but idolized, every one being anxious to shew them the utmost respect. When they walk out in the streets, they are stopped by old and young, who kiss their face, hands, and even their feet, and offer them everything they wish for. Beings of this description are generally very apathetic, and accept little or nothing; they are, in fact, generally to be met dressed in the most disgusting clothes, in rags, or utterly naked, although they would be provided with the finest raiment if they merely expressed the slightest wish. Their parents, sisters, or other relations, on the other hand, know how to turn their misfortune to the best account, and accept considerable presents for their intercession with these saints, or for procuring others an opportunity of consulting this oracle. They give the most absurd and ridiculous answers to questions that are put to them, partly as a consequence of their fatuity, and partly because taught to do so; it is, indeed, scarcely possible at times to guess at their meaning. The more absurd the answer, the more contented is the party interested; and absolutely delighted, if he can only make out a single word of the whole rodomontade, which in the slightest agrees with his wishes. To these saints the women flock in numbers to beg for fertility. Besides these Sheikhs, there are others, and Fakéers, who write amulets, which the women wear on their arms, or heads, firmly believing that their most fervent wishes will be then fulfilled. The latter profession is exceedingly lucrative, and I have seen several persons who had made a small fortune in this manner, and very well understood the art of imposing on the people, and of persuading them to purchase a fresh charm, although experience must have convinced them of the futility of the last.

[21]Tarabuka, a drum, which is beaten with the hand.

[22]Takie.

[23]The Arab term for the Sesamum.—Tr.

[24]Spica nardus;Valeriana celtica.—Tr.

[25]The fruit of theprunus mahaleb, or perfumed cherry, a native of Austria.—Tr.

[26]Dhofer is the shell of an animal found on the Red Sea, cut into small pieces and used as a perfume, emitting a pleasant odour when held over the fire.Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 286.—Tr.

[27]The use of Kophel is of very great antiquity, and is mentioned in the New Testament by the term στιβίζειν.—Tr.

[28]The miners in Germany form almost a particular caste, and are distinguished from every other artizan by the peculiarities of their dress. It consists of a black half smock of glazed linen, with wide sleeves, contracted at the wrist, decorated with innumerable buttons, and reaches to the waist, where it is fastened by a broad belt. A leather apron, worn either in front, or, during their work, reversed, completes the uniform. The latter article of dress is essential to them in their occupation, which consists of sitting on the hard rock and breaking the ore away with their hammers. The head is covered with a thick felt hat, without a brim, on the crown of which the lantern or candle is placed, during their descent into the mines.—Tr.

[29]It is customary among Europeans travelling on the Nile, to hoist their national flag, a custom which is the more necessary, as they, by so doing, avoid many enquiries, which are made at different places by the local police, and thus save themselves much trouble, and unnecessary delay.

[30]Chesnut, or maize flour, boiled in water, a species of flummery.—Tr.

[31]Bamié, or bamíyeh, the esculenthibiscus: the part eaten is a polygonal pod full of seeds and nutritive mucilage.Lane’s Modern Egyptians, note,p. 199.—Tr.

[32]The oock’ckah is = 400 dir’hems, is from 3 lb. 3 oz. 13¾ dwt., to 3 lb. 4 oz. troy; or from 2 lb. 11 oz. 8 dr. 18¾ gr., to about, or nearly 2 lb. 12 oz., or 2¾ lb. avoirdupois. VideLane’s Modern Egyptians, Library of Entertaining Knowledge, appendix, p. 578.—Tr.

[33]A pomatum for anointing the body, prepared from Spikenard, Mahaleb, and Tuffer. Burckhardt, in his Travels in Nubia, p. 200, mentions a preparation of sheep’s-fat, soap, musk, pulverized sandal-wood, senbal,i. e., Spikenard, and Mahaleb. Brown names as one of the articles of this unguent,dufr, a species of shell of a fish used for perfume.—Brown’s Travels in Africa, Egypt, and Syria.—Tr.

[34]Or rather, probably, excision, a custom of great antiquity.—VideStrabo Lib.xvii., Καὶ τὰ παιδία περιτεμνειν καὶ τὰ θήλεα ἐκτέμνειν.—Tr.

[35]Mulieri in manum conventuræ mentulæ suæ imaginem ligneam seu luto formatam sponsus mittit.—Tr.

[36]See the chapter entitled the capital Lobeid.

[37]Public dancing girls.—Tr.

[38]It is, of course, understood, that travellers from Cairo are furnished with provisions of all kinds, whereas those returning from the Belled-Soodan are merely provided with red lentils. A singular fate has brought us five times unexpectedly together, within the space of five years, in three different quarters of the globe; the last time we met in a miserable village, in the Isle of Cyprus, towards the end of last year.

[39]Lu, lu, lu!This cry has a triple signification. It expresses joy, grief, and danger, and serves also as an encouragement in battle. The intonation of these sounds determines the difference of their import. It may be readily recognised when it has been frequently heard, but cannot be described.

[40]Bakkara are a race of Arabs who occupy themselves with breeding cattle.

[41]Evil Spirit.—Tr.

[42]Johara.—Tr.

[43]The most prevalent means, in most Mooslem countries, of exciting what the Arabs term “Keyf,” which I cannot more nearly translate than by the word “exhilaration,” is tobacco, whose accompaniment is usually the cup of coffee.—Lane’s Modern Egyptians, vol. ii., ch. 2., p. 35-6.—Tr.

[44]Maxima mihi etiam apud hoc nigrorum genus generationis organa observandi fuit occasio.

[45]Hic cinctus pudenda tegit.

[46]A custom more especially prevalent in the Harz mountains on the evening of 1st of May, the night of Walpurgis, when fires are lighted on the hills, and torches tossed into the air, to drive away the witches, who are supposed on this occasion to be making holiday. This custom is alluded to in Goëthe’s Faust.—Tr.

[47]A white cap, worn beneath the Tarboósh.

[48]A red cap, with a silk tassel.

[49]The pod of a tree with which the natives tan leather in Kordofan.

[50]This earth is found near Shendy, and is said to be met with in several places on the White Nile also.

[51]It resembles the tomato in shape and size, grows in a similar manner, and has a very unpleasant taste.

[52]Thechaussureconsists of shoes and sandals, but a part of them appear on parade barefooted, for they are not over rigid disciplinarians; the covering to the head, like that of all the other troops, is the turboosh—a red cap, and the only article of dress about them in decent preservation.

[53]Situated at a distance of four hours’ march from Cairo. This school was subsequently removed to Cairo at the advice of Prince Pückler-Muskau.

[54]Solanum Lycopersicum.—Tr.

[55]Citrus Decumana, the shaddock?—Tr.

[56]Long-staple, Sea island, Egyptian cotton.

[57]Long staple, common Egyptian cotton.—Tr.

[58]Heglig, of Browne; Agihalid, of Adamson; the Balanites Egyptiaca in theDescription de l’Egypte, publiée parPanckoucke. Forskael mentions the fruit of the eglit, but not the tree.—Tr.

[59]The Acacia.—Tr.

[60]Cucifera thebaica, in theDescription de l’Egypte.—Tr.

[61]Faecher palme, Borassus flabelliformis, of Forskael.—Tr.

[62]“Peace be on you,” the greeting of peace, to which the response is, “On you be peace.” This is the salutation of Mooslims to each other only.—Vide,Lane’s Modern Egyptians, p. 273.—Tr.

[63]Buffaloes.—Tr.

[64]The oschour of Burckhardt and Browne.—Tr.

[65]Of the Acacia, according to Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 264.—Tr.

[66]Girbe.—Tr.

[67]Vid.Chapterxix.

[68]The Kashef, or impression of the seal, is customary over the whole of the East, and a signature, although in the handwriting of the individual, does not render a document, or other paper, valid unless it be at the same time sealed with the Kashef, or initials of the writer.

[69]An expression in use among the natives of Egypt, Syria, and Arabia, to denote an amusement and every description of ornament or pomp; thus the women are said to have afantasiaon their heads or dress, as they go out to witness afantasia.

[70]Wind and heat cause a diminution in the weight of the gum before it reaches Cairo.

[71]Cisme, or shishme, a small grain of the size and shape of the smallest lentil of a deep black shining colour is imported from Darfour. It is pulverized and rubbed into the eyelids for complaints of the eye.—Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 262.—Tr.

[72]Vide the following chapters.

[73]Spikenard, from Carinthia, is as indispensable as bread in this country, it is employed, as before-mentioned, in the preparation of telka, which every woman must possess, or she has the right of divorce. The rottolo of one pound is sold at four or five piasters (one shilling and twopence to one shilling and sixpence). This article is already in demand in the negro states, and the consumption will greatly increase in the space of a few years.

[74]Dogas, manufactured in Carniola and Styria, are iron plates of various sizes, furnished with a ring and hook, and employed for the purpose of baking bread. They are indispensable to the caravans.

[75]The razors (the commonest sort manufactured in the capital of Styria,) are not used for shaving the beard; some few natives employ them for the hair of the head, but the greater number for shaving the hair of the pudenda. They are also put into use in the circumcision of girls and in the mutilation of boys.

[76]Two-edged swords, of Austrian manufacture, are thirty-six inches and a half in length, and one inch and three-quarters in breadth, of equal diameter throughout, and rounded off inferiorly. Seven inches and a quarter in the curve, and marked: ♁ with a lion. The scabbards and hilts are made in the country. They are in most request in Darfour. The sale is attended with considerable profit, but those marked with a death’s-head from the workshops of Peter Knell, in Solingen, are preferred.

[77]Antimony from various mines in the province of Austria, and reduced to a powder, is used as a cosmetic by the women and girls, who cover their eyelids with it.

[78]Arsenic from different parts of Austria is bought in those negro states where gold is found. It is transmitted from Kordofan as far as Bunda.

[79]Iron wire and brass wire from the Tyrol and the province of Austria, is in great request in all parts of Africa for the decoration of lances and tobacco-pipes, and also for ear-rings. In some districts the natives wear as many as ten brass rings in one ear.

[80]Common cloths from Bohemia termed technically Londerin seconds. The scarlet colours are preferred in Darfour.

[81]Glass beads from Bohemia play a very prominent part in the commerce of Africa. In some places the red are in demand, in others again the blue or yellow beads, but where a particular colour does not happen to be fashionable, there is no sale for them even at the cost price.

[82]Card counters are in request in most of the negro states, they are worn by the women as an ornament in the head-dress.

[83]Narghilé, the glass water-reservoirs of the Persian pipes.—Tr.

[84]Brick or ebrigh ablution vases, in the form of a coffee biggin; those in general use in the East are made of copper, but those of glass are also frequently to be met with.—Tr.

[85]Drinking-cups of glass, shaped like our tea-cups.—Tr.

[86]I furnished Dr. Madden, who was sent by the English “Society for the Abolishment of the Slave Trade,” to Egypt, with the body of the matter of this and the following chapter at his urgent request, and that of several other gentlemen who were totally at a loss for correct information on the slave-hunts annually taking place in the provinces of the Pasha of Egypt. I was the more willing to assist him in this undertaking, as it was the intention of the Society to make representations to Mehemed Ali on this subject, and thus to endeavour to save thousands of unfortunate victims. This and the subsequent chapter have appeared in the second volume of the “British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Reporter,” No. 28, Jan. 13th, 1841.

[87]Gasua originally means a campaign against the infidels, and is the same word as razzia so often heard in Algiers, merely differing in pronunciation.

[88]Dire.—Tr.

[89]The information I was able to collect was communicated to the celebrated French traveller, Antoine d’Abbadie, who laid it before the Academy in Paris and the Geographical Society in London; by the latter it was subsequently published in the Athenæum, of 18th January 1840. As regards the White Nile, more accurate information may now have been obtained through the expedition sent in the year 1840, for the third time, by Mehemed Ali, to trace the river to its source.

[90]In theAthenæumthis place is erroneously called Bab-Belull, its correct name is Cab-Belull.

[91]I consider myself justified in annexing these few remarks on Darfour to the description of Kordofan, although somewhat irrelevant to the subject, as so little is yet known of that kingdom, and the source of my information may be considered very authentic; for I had it from no less a person than Sultan Abumedina, the brother of the Sultan of Darfour, and I am, moreover, of opinion that it will not be altogether useless in a geographical point of view.

[92]Runga is situated on a river, believed to be the White Nile, and is said to be a fertile country, with a very healthy climate. Bananas, wild grapes, lemons, and three sorts of potatoes, grow in the country; the first is a small and curved variety, which grows without cultivation in the sand; the second variety resembles the European potatoe in shape and flavour, and is planted; the third, which is also cultivated, is a giant potatoe, said to attain the weight of twelve oock’ckahs, equal to twenty-seven pounds. The country is supposed to be very rich in silver ore, of which but little use is made, as the smelting costs the natives too much trouble. Darfour draws a great deal of ivory and rhinoceros’ horn from this country, but it has no camels. Islamism has made great progress there within the last few years. The religion of the natives is exceedingly simple; they believe in the existence of an invisible deity who produces water, namely rain, and makes their fruit to grow. They pay, further, great respect to persons afflicted with fatuity, and believe them to be prophets of the invisible God. They build peculiar huts for these beings, more like birdcages than houses, where they are confined, and provided with food. Before sunset the populace visits them to consult them for advice, and every answer, be it ever so nonsensical, is regarded as an oracle, and firmly believed. The same ideas are said to prevail in Banda, Wuanga, Binga, and Gulla.

[93]In Binga a large quantity of copper ore is found, which is met with in commerce in Kordofan, and converted into anklets for the women, weighing about one pound each; it has not the same characteristics as the European copper, but bears a nearer resemblance to brass; its colour is pale yellow.

[94]A caravan leaves Bergu annually for Tripoli. The distance from Bergu to Kobbe, the chief commercial town of Darfour, is twenty days’ march. Since Bergu has become tributary to Darfour, European goods have found their way into the latter country from Tripoli by way of Bergu.

[95]Bagermi.—Tr.

[96]Banda has been vaunted to me as a country rich in gold; it is also said to possess a large quantity of white copper.

[97]At present any traveller might reach Darfour, but he would never return, because the reigning Sultan looks upon every white man as a spy of Mehemed Ali’s. Mohammed Fadel’s chief wish is to have some European settlers in his country; he even invited me through a Djelabi, to come; for he is well aware that Mehemed Ali has set his eye upon Darfour. An European died eight years ago in that kingdom: he was a renegade, and stood very high in the favour of the Court. He has left two full-grown sons; but I could neither discover his name, nor the country he came from.

[98]I have frequently dined at his table, and when I, on one of these occasions, observed no bread, and asked the reason, he answered: bread is only for servants and slaves; but that it had never been a custom of the Sultans of Darfour to eat bread.

[99]It need scarcely be mentioned that this change of government has not yet taken place.—Tr.

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