[678]. So the Italians say "a quail to skin."
[679]. "Amán" is the word used for quarter on the battle-field; and there are Joe Millers about our soldiers in India mistaking it for "a man" or (Scotticè) "a mon."
[680]. Illustrating the Persian saying "Allah himself cannot help a fool."
[681]. Any article taken from the person and given to a criminal is a promise of pardon, of course on the implied condition of plenary confession and of becoming "King's evidence."
[682]. A naive proposal to share the plunder.
[683]. In popular literature "Schacabac." And from this tale comes our saying "a Barmecide's Feast," i.e. an illusion.
[684]. The Castrato at the door is still (I have said,) the fashion of Cairo and he acts "Suisse" with a witness.
[685]. As usual in the East, the mansion was a hollow square surrounding what in Spain is called Patio: the outer entrance was far from the inner, showing the extent of the grounds.
[686]. "Nahnu málihín"=we are on terms of salt, said and say the Arabs. But the traveller must not trust in these days to the once sacred tie; there are tribes which will give bread with one hand and stab with the other. The Eastern use of salt is a curious contrast with that of Westerns, who made it an invidious and inhospitable distinction, e.g. to sit above the salt-cellar and below the salt. Amongst the ancients, however, "he took bread and salt" means he swore, the food being eaten when an oath was taken. Hence the "Bride cake" of salt, water and flour.
[687]. Arab. "Harísah," the meat-pudding before explained.