[73]. Arab. “Samúr,” applied in slang language to cats and dogs, hence the witty Egyptians converted Admiral Seymour (Lord Alcester) into “Samúr.”
[74]. The home-student of Arabic may take this letter as a model even in the present day; somewhat stiff and old-fashioned, but gentlemanly and courteous.
[75]. Arab. “Salím” (not Sé-lim) meaning the “Safe and sound.”
[76]. Arab. “Haláwah” = sweetmeat; meaning an entertainment such as men give to their friends after sickness or a journey: it is technically called as above, “The Sweetmeat of Safety.”
[77]. Arab. “Salát” which from Allah means mercy; from the Angels intercession and pardon; and from mankind blessing. Concerning the specific effects of blessing the Prophet, see Pilgrimage (ii. 70). The formula is often slurred over when a man is in hurry to speak: an interrupting friend will say “Bless the Prophet!” and he does so by ejaculating “Sa’am.”
[78]. Persian, meaning originally a command: it is now applied to a Wazirial order as opposed to the “Irádah,” the Sultan’s order.
[79]. Arab. “Mashá’ilí”: lit. the cresset-bearer who has before appeared as hangman.
[80]. Another polite formula for announcing a death.
[81]. As he died heirless the property lapsed to the Treasury.
[82]. This shaking the kerchief is a signal to disperse and the action suggests its meaning. Thus it is used in an opposite sense to “throwing the kerchief,” a pseudo-Oriental practice whose significance is generally understood in Europe.