THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. ^Sj 



change my religion, and live in a country where there is 

 nothing but poverty, mifery, famine, fear, and dependence?" 

 " Hearken, fays he, you are a fool ; this country is a thou- 

 fand times healthier and fweeter than Abyflinia; but, fmce 

 you wont take my advice, I fliall fay no more ; come and 

 fee my Harem''." — "With all my heart, replied I, as far as 

 that I will go, and fhall be happy to do both you and your 

 family all the good I can." 



The Shekh went before me, through feveral apartments^ 

 well proportioned, but very meanly furniOied, flovenly, and 

 in bad order. This was the part of the houfe that belong- 

 ed to hiinfeli^, and formed one fide of a fquare. We crolTed 

 the fquare to the oppofite fide, where there were feveral a- 

 partments furnidied in a much better Ityle. The floors 

 were all covered with Turkey carpets. In an alcove fat one 

 of his wives upon the ground, with a number of black Haves 

 about her. Her face was uncovered ; the circle made way 

 for me; fo that, firfl putting my hand to my lips, I touched 

 the end of her fingers with the end of mine. In the mean 

 tiw.e, the Shekh had brought a fecond vv^ife from another 

 apartment, and fet her down befide the firft. They were 

 both women pafl the middle age, feemed to have a great 

 many Haves attending them, but never had been hand- 

 fome. One of them, I learned afterwards, was daughter to 

 the firft minifter Shekh Adelan. 



I THOUGHT it ncceflary to explain myfelf a little with Fi- 

 dele. You know, Shekh, faid I, it is not always that you 



an^ 



The houfc where tliev keen their ^vomen,. 



