68 METHODS OF MAKING COFFEE. 



" On the broad edge of the furnace stands an ostentations 

 range of coffee-pots, varying in size and form ; some are very tall 

 and slender, with several ornamented circles and mouldings in 

 elegant relief. The number of these utensils is sometimes extra- 

 vagantly great ; as many as a dozen at a time may be seen in a 

 row by one fireside, though coffee -making requires only three at 

 most. Five or six are considered to be the thing ; but when 

 doubled it indicates the riches and munificence of the owner, 

 by implying the frequency of his guests and the large amount 

 of coffee that he is in consequence obliged to have made for 

 them. Behind sits a slave, whose name is generally a diminu- 

 tive, in token of affection ; his occupation is to make and pour 

 out the coffee. On entering, it is proper to say 'Bismillah,' 

 i. e.j ' in the name of God ; ' not to do so would be looked on 

 as a bad augury alike for him who enters and for those within. 



" The guest then goes to the master of the house, each repeats 

 once more his greetings, followed by set phrases of polite in- 

 quiry. 



" Taking the honored post by the fireplace, an apologetical 

 salutation is given to the slave on the one side and to his nearest 

 neighbor on the other. The best cushions and newest-looking 

 carpets have been prepared. Shoes or sandals are slipped off 

 on the sand just before reaching the carpet; the riding-stick or 

 wand, the inseparable companion of every true Arab, is to be 

 retained in the hand, and will serve for playing with during the 

 pauses of conversation. "Without delay the slave begins the 

 preparations for coffee, placing the largest of the coffee-pots, 

 about two-thirds full of clear water, close by the edge of the 

 glowing coal-pit, that its contents may become warm while 

 other operations are in progress; Taking a dirty knotted rag 

 out of a niche in the wall close by, and having untied it, he 

 empties out a few handfuls of unroasted coffee, which are 



