[138]O believers! before ye pray, wash your faces, your hands, and your arms to the elbows, and wipe yourselves from head to feet. Vide Koran.
[139]It is customary here, as in the East, for every person to accompany his complaint with (el Heddia) a present suited to his condition; and none must appear without something, as it would be not only contrary to the established usages, but highly disrespectful; even such a trifle as three or more eggs is accepted.
[140]By the laws of the Koran, these crimes are punishable by death; but they are so generally indulged in, as to be mutually connived at.
[141]Persons bearing the name of Mohammed, which is generally given to the first male child born in marriage, are always addressed by the title of Seedy, which answers to Signor, or Monsieur; even the Emperor himself observes this towards the meanest subject that may happen to appear before him; when the name is Achmet, Aly, Said, Kossem, &c. this honourable distinction is observed or not, according to the situation and character of the person addressed. The Jews, however, whatever their condition, must address every Mooselmin with the term Seedy, or incur the danger of being knocked down; while, on the other hand, the lowest Mooselmin would consider it a degradation to address a Jew of the highest rank or respectability by this title.
[142]“Let the mother suckle her child full two years, if the child does not quit the breast; but she shall be permitted to wean it with the consent of the husband.” Vide Koran.
[143]These young wives and concubines often find opportunities clandestinely to cuckold their men or husbands.
[144]The k guttural, for when not guttural, the word signifies old or worn out.
[145]The supply of the garrison of Gibraltar, with bullocks, &c. excepted.
[146]Women of rank, who reside in the towns, seldom walk abroad, it being considered a degradation to the wife of a gentleman to be seen walking in the street; when, however, they are going to pay a visit, they have a servant, or slave, to accompany them.