THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



17? 



induce 

 hence 



forget his troubles. In the East it is the baneful rival of the more 

 baneful opium, and only little less of a curse to mankind. 



The practice of chewing the leaves of this plant, to 

 intoxication, prevailed or existed in India in very early ages 

 it was introduced into Persia, and about 

 six centuries ago (before the middle of 

 the thirteenth century of our era) this 

 pernicious and degrading custom was 

 adopted in Egypt, but chiefly by persons 

 of the lower order, though several men 

 eminent in literature and religion, and 

 vast numbers of fakeers (or poor de- 

 votees), yielded to its fascinations, and 

 contended that it was lawful to the 

 Moos'lem, The habit is now very com- 

 mon among the lower orders in the me- 

 tropolis, and other towns of Egypt. 

 The same author says : The prepara- 

 tion of hemp used for smoking generally 

 produces boisterous mirth. Few inha- 

 lations of its smoke, but the last very 

 copious, are usually taken from the 

 gozeh. After the emission of the last 

 draught from the mouth and nostrils, 

 commonly a fit of coughing, and often a 

 spitting of blood ensues, in consequence 

 of the lungs having been filled with the 

 smoke. Hhashfe'sh is to be obtained 

 not only at some of the coffee-shops ; 

 there are shops of a smaller and more 

 private description, solely appropriated 

 to the sale of this and other intoxicating 

 preparations ; they are called mahh'- 

 shesh'ehs. It is sometimes amusing to 

 observe the ridiculous couduct, and to 

 listen to the conversation of the persons 

 who frequent these shops. They are 

 all of the lower order. The term 

 hhash'sha'sh, which signifies a smoker, 



or an eater of hemp, is an appellation of obloquy. Noisy and 

 riotous people are often called hhash'sha'shee'n, which is the plural 

 of that appellation, and the origin of our word "assassin" — a name 

 first applied to Arab warriors in Syria, in the time of the Crusades, 

 who made use of intoxicating and soporific drugs, in order to render 

 their enemies insensible.* 



A preparation of hemp has been of late years introduced in 

 medical practice, it being found in many cases a better anodyne 

 than opium, and less injurious to the digestive system. A detailed 

 account of its effect on a sensitive Englishman, who partook of it 



OEOBANCHE BAMOSA. 



* Lane's " Modern Egyptians," vol, ii. p. 32. 



June. 



