[8]. The fellahs, or agricultural population in Egypt, are much despised by the Bedouin Arabs.
[9]. Alluding to the horsetails which formerly designated the rank of a pasha. When three in number they indicated the rank of a vizier. The practice is now falling or fallen into disuse.
[10]. The Arabic letter ain. The Turks and Persians, in whose respective languages this letter frequently occurs, never attempt to pronounce it otherwise than as a broad Italian a. As the same letter is found in the Hebrew alphabet, it may be an interesting speculation for the learned to consider how it was pronounced by the ancient Jews; the modern Jews in Germany and Asia pronounce it like the broad a. Its pronunciation seems to have puzzled the learned Seventy in the time of the Ptolemies; at least in the Septuagint version we find it represented by various Greek letters; for instance, in the words “Amalek” and “Eli” the commencing letter in Hebrew is ain, as is likewise the last letter in the name of the prophet Hosêa.
[11]. For those who have not been in the East, it may be necessary to mention that the folding the arms on the breast, which in Europe is considered as a posture of meditation and sometimes of defiance, is among Orientals the usual attitude of humility and respect.
[12]. It is customary among the Arabs, when using either complimentary phrases or good wishes, to retort them on the speaker briefly, as in the text.
[13]. Wâled-Ali is synonymous with Oulâd-Ali, the name of a tribe already mentioned; the only difference is that Wâled is singular and Oulâd plural. The former name, though less classical, is in more common use in Alexandria.
[14]. The Causer of Causes is one of the highest of the attributive names given by the Arabs to the Almighty.
[15]. It has been the custom of the Egyptians ever since the accession of Mohammed Ali to the viceroyalty to call the reigning Viceroy by the name of “Effendina,” “our Lord,” or “our Prince.”
[16]. The Kohèil and Saklàwi are two of the highest breeds of horses found in the Nejd or highlands of Arabia.
[17]. Courbatch is the name of the whip made from the hide of the hippopotamus, in common use all over Egypt and Nubia. The name seems to have an affinity with the French cravache, and I have been informed (though perhaps incorrectly) that it is of Hungarian origin.