24 ALBANIAN DRESS. 



the open throat facihtates respiration, and the 

 freedom from constraint in the whole body allows 

 the exercise of all the muscles. Over the whole 

 is thrown a white capote, or cloak of very thick 

 woollen, which has sleeves to it, but which they 

 usually wear loosely on the shoulders. These are 

 admirable protection against wet and cold, and 

 prevent the ill effects of checks of perspiration in 

 a sudden exposure to the cold mountain blast, 

 which, coming from the snow, is so dangerous in 

 these climates when a person heated by the rays 

 of a scorching sun is suddenly exposed to their 

 influence. All Albanians, whether Mahommedans 

 or Christians, wear a good moustache. A Ma- 

 hommedan shaves the whole of his head, except 

 the lock at the top, called Mahomet's lock, and 

 also his whiskers ; whilst a Christian shaves only 

 a part of his head (though I have seen some with 

 the head wholly shaven), and has a smooth face, 

 except his moustache. Greek priests allow their 

 beards and hair to grow entirely, consequently 

 they are occasionally seen of an enormous length. 

 The dress of the Albanian women is, to say the 

 least of it, extraordinary. They wear a sort of 

 Highland kilt, a long hose with a gaiter over it. 



