[441]. “Kahweh,” being the name of the beverage sold at the coffee-shop, is hence applied to the shop itself.
[442]. A decoction of ginger, sweetened with sugar, is likewise often sold at the Kahwehs, particularly on the nights of festivals.
[443]. See, on this subject, the close of chapter xxii.
[444]. See the Plan, of which the following is an explanation.—A, General entrance and vestibule. B, B, Meslakh. C, C, C, C, C, Leewáns. D, Station of the M’allim. E, Faskeeyeh. F, Coffee-stall. G, G, Latrinæ. H, Beytowwal. I, I, Leewán. K, K, Mastab′ahs. L, L, Harárah. M, M, M, M, Leewáns. N, Faskeeyeh. O, O, Two chambers, each containing a maghtas (or tank). P, P, Hanafeeyehs. Q, Place of the fire, over which is the boiler.
[445]. This operation is termed “tekyees,” and the bag “kees el-hammán,[el-hammán,]” hence the operator is called “mukeyyisátee,” or more properly, “mukeyyis.”
[446]. The depilatory called “noorah,” which is often employed in the bath, being preferred to the resin more commonly used, is composed, as I am informed, of quick-lime with a small proportion (about an eighth part) of orpiment. It is made into a paste, with water, before application; and loosens the hair in about two minutes, when it is washed off.—See Russell’s Aleppo, vol. i, pp. 134, 378, 379: 2nd edition.
[447]. The larger seegas, in like manner, require a sufficient number of kelbs to occupy all the ’eyns excepting one.
[448]. During my last residence at Thebes, a fine athletic man, the best gereed-player of the place, whom I had taken into my service as a nightly guard, received a very severe wound at this game; and I had some difficulty to effect a cure: he was delirious for many hours in consequence of it, and had nearly lost his life. The gereed struck him a little before his ear, and penetrated downwards into his neck.
[449]. This is most remarkable in the more refined Egyptian music; but it is also observable in the airs of some common ballads and chants.
[450]. Often, in such cases, pronounced in an unusually broad manner, and the last syllable drawled out, thus—“Allauh!”