264 TRAVELS IN UPPER. 



produces the most agreeable effect at a little dis- 

 tance ; close up to it the layer of paint is too ap- 

 parent, and it even impresses on the physiog- 

 nomy a shade of gloominess which has something 

 harsh in it. 



The French merchants of Cairo had large con- 

 signments of alquifoux. Part was consumed in 

 the country, by the beautiful eyes of the women ; 

 but by far the greatest quantity was exported to 

 Arabia and the land of Yemen, where it was em- 

 ployed as a varnish for pottery. They pretended 

 that what they had from England was of a supe- 

 rior quality to any other : but this branch of com- 

 merce produced only very moderate returns. 



If large black eyes, which they are at pains to 

 darken still more, be essential to Egyptian female 

 beauty, it likewise requires as an accessory of first- 

 rate importance, that the hands and nails should be 

 dyed red. This last fashion is fully as general as 

 the other, and not to conform to it would be rec- 

 koned indecent. The women could no more dis- 

 pense with this daubing than with their clothes. 

 Of whatever condition, of whatever religion they 

 may be, all employ the same means to acquire this 

 species of ornament, which the empire of fashion 

 alone could perpetuate, for it assuredly spoils fine 

 hands much more than it decorates them. The 



animated 



