CHAP. XIV. CARE OF THE ANIMALS. 9-3 



The custom of bearing the emblems of the dif- 

 ferent sacred creatures, to whose service they were 

 devoted, may still be traced m the banners borne 

 by the guardians of the Shekhs' tombs, who travel 

 throughout Egypt in quest of charitable donations *; 

 and, though seldom differing from, or inferior to, 

 each other, in the discordant and deafening noise 

 of drums and clamorous instruments, they are as 

 readily distinguished by the peculiar emblems of the 

 Saint to whose service they belong. But tlie duty 

 is not wholly gratuitous ; being performed partly 

 from a prospect of rewards in Paradise, and partly 

 from the love of the tangible benefits they obtain 

 on earth, by means of his useful name. Vows are 

 also made, as in former times, by the credulous and 

 the devout, for the recovery of health, or the ac- 

 complishment of a wish ; but the accuracy of the 

 balance is no longer required, to regulate the ex- 

 tent of the donor's piety, or to adjust the quantity 

 of his gratitude to the nice precision of a hair. 



The expense incurred by the curators, for the 

 maintenance of the sacred animals, was immense. 

 Not only were necessary provisions prociued for 

 them, but imaginary luxuries, which they could 

 neither understand nor enjoy. They were treated 

 with the same respect as human beings ; warm 

 baths were prepared for them ; they were anointed 

 with the choicest unguents, and perfumed with the 

 most fragrant odours. Rich carpets t and orna- 



* Vide Vol. III. (1st Series) p. 394. 



-)■ Carpets are frequently mentioned by ancient writers, as I have 

 already had occasion to observe. Vide also Theocrit. Id. xv. 125. 



