MECCA. 197 



several dozens. The middling and lower classes 

 make a lucrative trafiic in young Abyssinians, 

 whom they bring up on speculation, and sell to 

 strangers. 



The Meccawees are very expensive in their 

 houses ; the rooms being embellished with fine car- 

 pets, and abundance of cushions and sofas covered 

 with brocade. Their furniture is costly — their 

 tables well supplied — and in receiving visits, which 

 are frequent, every mistress makes it her endeavour 

 to surpass her acquaintances in show and magnifi- 

 cence. The great merchants, most of whom have 

 country-residences at Jidda or Taif, live very splen- 

 didly, maintaining an establishment of fifty or sixty 

 persons. Every native delicacy is to be found at 

 their tables ; the china and glass ware in which the 

 viands are served up are of the best quality ; rose- 

 water is sprinkled on the beards of the guests after 

 dinner ; and the room is filled with the odours of 

 aloes-wood. The usual custom is two meals daily, 

 — one before midday, the other after sunset. Their 

 mutton is of inferior quality ; they hardly know the 

 existence of fish ; and their pot-herbs are brought 

 from Taif and other neighbouring places. 



In personal appearance the Meccawees are thin 

 rather than robust ; their features are expressive, 

 particularly in the vivacity and brilliancy of the 

 eyes; their colour is a yellowish sickly brown, 

 lighter or darker according to the origin of the 

 mother, who in many cases is an Abyssinian slave. 

 The lower classes are stout and muscular ; but the 

 numerous retainers of the temple appear to be the 

 most meager and emaciated beings imaginable. Ali 

 Bey represents them as absolutely walking skele- 

 tons, clothed with a parchment to cover their bones. 

 From their lean and scraggy frame, their hollow 

 cheeks, large sunken eyes, shrivelled legs and arms, 

 they might be mistaken for true anatomical models ; 



R2 



