198 HEJAZ. 



and but for the prospective felicities of paradise^ 

 their existence on earth would seem intolerable. 



One singular practice has been remarked by trav- 

 ellers, that all the male natives both of Mecca and 

 Jidda, except Bedouins, are tattooed in a particular 

 \vay, which is performed by their parents when they 

 are forty days old. It is called meshaU, and con-' 

 sists of three long incisions down both cheeks, and 

 two on the right temple, the scars of which remain 

 through life. Instead of a deformity, this is reck^ 

 oned a beauty ; and they pride themselves on a 

 local distinction, which precludes the other in- 

 habitants of Hejaz from claiming in foreign coun- 

 tries the honour of being born in the holy cities. 

 This tattooing is very seldom inflicted on female 

 children. 



In disposition, the Meccawees are lively ; in the 

 Streets, bazars, and even in the mosque itself, they 

 love to laugh and joke. In talking or dealing with 

 each other they often introduce proverbs, puns, and 

 witty allusions ; and as they possess, with all this 

 vivacity of temper, much intellect, sagacity, and 

 suavity of manners, their conversation is very agree^ 

 able ; so tliat whoever cultivates even a merely su- 

 perficial acquaintance with them seldom fails to be 

 delighted with their character. They have a natu* 

 ral politeness, which the}^ display not only to stran- 

 gers, but in their daily intercourse with each other. 

 In exchanging civilities on the streets, the young 

 man kisses the hand of the elder, and the inferior 

 that of his superior in rank ; while the latter returns 

 the compliment by a salute on the forehead. In- 

 dividuals of equal rank and age in the middle classes 

 mutually kiss each other's hand In the ceremony 

 of shaking hands, they lay liold of the thumb with 

 the whole hand, pressing it, and again opening the 

 hand three or four times : this is said to have been 

 the practice of Mohammed. 



