224 HEJAZ. 



elated beings imaginable. Ali Bey represents them 

 as absolutely walking skeletons, 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 mis- 

 taken for true anatomical models ; and but for the 

 prospective felicities of Paradise, their existence on 

 earth would seem intolerable. 



One singular practice has been remarked by tra- 

 vellers, that all the male natives both of Mecca and 

 Jidda, except Bedouins, are tattooed in a particular 

 way, which is performed by their parents when they 

 are forty days old. It is called meshale, 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 inhabit- 

 ants of Hejaz from claiming in foreign countries 

 the honour of being born in the holy cities. This 

 tattooing is very seldom inflicted on female children. 



In disposition the Mecca wees are lively; in the 

 streets, bazaars, 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 that whoever cultivates even a merely su- 

 perficial acquaintance with them seldom fails to be 

 delighted with their character. They have a natural 

 politeness, which they display not only to strangers, 

 but in their daily intercourse with each other. In 

 exchanging civilities on the streets, the young man 



