SOCIAL STATE OP THE ARABS. 351 



of the higher classes is the benish or upper cloak, 

 and the jubbe or under one, both of cloth such 

 as is worn in all parts of Turkey. The rest of their 

 dress consists of a showy silk gown tied with a 

 thin Cashmere sash, a white muslin turban, and yel- 

 low slippers. In summer the benish is composed of 

 a very slight silk stuff of Indian manufacture. Be- 

 neath the jubbe some wear a gown called beden, of 

 white muslin, without lining or sleeves, and very 

 short. The Meccawees are remarkable for being 

 cleanly and tasteful in their attire. On feast-days 

 and other public occasions their finery is displayed in 

 the highest degree. The common shopkeeper, who 

 walks about the whole year in his short gown with 

 a napkin round his loins, appears in a pink-coloured 

 benish lined with satin, a gold-embroidered turban, 

 rich silk sash, and jambea with its scabbard orna- 

 mented with gold and silver. His wives and chil- 

 dren are decked in the gaudiest colours ; but after 

 the feast is over the fine suits are laid aside. At 

 home in his dishabille, the citizen seats himself near 

 his projecting latticed window, holding in one hand 

 the long snake of his Persian hookah, and in the 

 other a small square fan made of the chippings of 

 date-leaves, with which he drives away the flies. 

 The women's dress is generally Indian silk gowns, 

 and very large blue-striped trousers reaching down 

 to the ankles, embroidered below with silver thread. 

 Over these they throw a sort of cloak called habra 

 or mellaye, of black or striped silk, which covers the 

 head, and has a graceful effect. The wealthy wear gold 

 necklaces, bracelets, and silver ankle-rings, while the 

 poorer classes have similar trinkets of horn, glass, or 

 amber. A ring is sometimes passed through the car- 

 tilage of the nose and hangs down upon the upper- lip. 



