AND LOWER EGYPT. I29 



picted, in some celebrated works, the graces and 

 the seductive manoeuvres of these nymphs of plea- 

 sure. But however brilliant the colouring with 

 which such a picture may be animated, rigid truth 

 passes the sponge over it and wipes it away. 



In reality, although it may be true, as has been 

 said, that in all the places of any note in Egypt 

 there are a considerable number of courtesans, it is 

 false, that, destined to the pleasure of travellers, 

 these last are under an obligation to pay them ; 

 that they have been bequeathed to prostitution by 

 charitable men ; that the messengers of gallantry 

 conduct the traveller to the temple where the young 

 priestesses so voluntarily take their stations. The 

 panegyric which has been made on their charms, 

 their easy shape, their elegant hips, or the delight- 

 ful tapering oftheir waist, in a word, on their desire 

 to please only, and to render you sensible to their 

 attractions, is altogether a series of errors ; but 

 what is not less false, is the kind of generosity with 

 which an attempt has been made to honour the so 

 little praiseworthy conduct of these girls, by assert- 

 ing that, contented with being beloved, and pre- 

 ferred to their companions, they will not accept of 

 any thing from the purse of the traveller. 



The miserable wretches who are to be seen in 



the public places of the cities of Egypt, make a 



VOL. Ill, K. tradcjj 



