SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS. 



A young Female of the Coffee Mountains. 



The face is concealed with a white or light-blue piece 

 of cloth called borko, in which there are two holes 

 worked for the eyes, but so large that nearly the 

 entire features may be seen. This piece of female 

 vanity, according to Ali Bey, had better be spared, 

 as the illusion of hidden charms is completely dis- 

 pelled when a sight is obtained of their lemon- 

 coloured complexions, their hollow cheeks daubed 

 all over with black or greenish-blue paint, their 

 yellow teeth, and their lips stained of a reddish tile- 

 colour. Though custom has reconciled them to 

 these artificial means of heightening their beauty, 

 their appearance is frightful and repulsive to stran- 

 gers. It ought to be added, however, that in gene- 

 ral they have fine eyes, regular noses, and hand- 



