[155]. For Ta’lab (Sa’lab) see supra, p. 48. In Morocco it is undoubtedly the red or common fox which, however, is not gregarious as in the text.
[157]. Arab. “Muunah” which in Morocco applies to the provisions furnished gratis by the unfortunate village-people to travellers who have a passport from the Sultan: its root is Maun = supplying necessaries. “The name is supposed to have its origin in that of Manna, the miraculous provision bestowed by the bounty of Heaven on the Israelites while wandering in the deserts of Arabia.” Such is the marvellous information we find in p. 40, “Morocco and the Moors” by John Drummond Hay (Murray, 1861).
[158]. i.e. He resolved to do them justice and win a reward from Heaven.
[159]. Arab. “Luss” = thief, robber, rogue, rascal, the Persian “Luti” of popular usage. This is one of the many “Simpleton stories” in which Eastern folk-lore abounds. I hear that Mr. Clouston is preparing a collection, and look forward to it with interest.
[160]. Arab. “Tibn”; for which see vol. i. [16].
[161]. A fanciful origin of “Díván” (here an audience-chamber) which may mean demons (plural of Dív) is attributed to a King of Persia. He gave a series of difficult documents and accounts to his scribes and surprised at the quickness and cleverness with which they were ordered exclaimed, “These men be Divs!” Hence a host of secondary meanings as a book of Odes with distichs rhymed in alphabetical order and so forth.
[162]. In both cases the word “Jabábirah” is used, the plur. of Jabbár, the potent, especially applied to the Kings of the Canaanites and giants like the mythical Og of Bashan. So the Heb. Jabbúrah is a title of the Queens of Judah.
[163]. Arab. “Kitáb al-Kazá” = the Book of Judgments, such as the Kazi would use when deciding cases in dispute, by legal precedents and the Rasm or custom of the country.
[164]. i.e. sit before the King as referee, etc.