[289]. The Bresl. text (iv. 347) abbreviates, or rather omits; so that in translation details must be supplied to make sense.
[290]. Arab. “Kamán,” vulgar Egyptian, a contraction from Kamá (as) + anna (since, because). So “Kamán shuwayh” = wait a bit; “Kamán marrah” = once more and “Wa Kamána-ka” = that is why.
[291]. i.e. Son of the Eagle: See vol. iv. [177]. Here, however, as the text shows it is hawk or falcon. The name is purely fanciful and made mnemonically singular.
[292]. The Egyptian Fellah knows nothing of boxing like the Hausá man; but he is fond of wrestling after a rude and uncultivated fashion, which would cause shouts of laughter in Cumberland and Cornwall. And there are champions in this line. See vol. iii. [93].
[293]. The usual formula. See vol. ii. [5].
[294]. As the Fellah still does after drinking a cuplet (“fingán” he calls it) of sugared coffee.
[295]. He should have said “white,” the mourning colour under the Abbasides.
[296]. Anglicè, “Fine feathers make fine birds”; and in Eastern parlance, “Clothe the reed and it will become a bride.” (Labbis al-Búsah tabkí ’Arúsah, Spitta Bey, No. 275.) I must allow myself a few words of regret for the loss of this Savant, one of the most single-minded men known to me. He was vilely treated by the Egyptian Government, under the rule of the Jew-Moslem Riyáz; and, his health not allowing him to live in Austria, he died shortly after return home.
[297]. Arab. “Saub (Tobe) ’Atábi”: see vol. iii. [149].
[298]. In text “Kimkhá,” which Dozy also gives Kumkh = chenille, tissu de soie veloutee: Damasquète de soie or et argent de Venise, du Levant, à fleurs, etc. It comes from Kamkháb or Kimkháb, a cloth of gold, the well-known Indian “Kimcob.”