TOPOGRAPHY, RACES, RELIGIONS, LANGUAGES AND CUSTOMS, 71 



Chaldeans of Mossul still have a dish called the "porridge of 

 Esau," made of lentils and beetroots, which they eat in 

 winter, as they say that when Esau sold his birthright he 

 was cold and hungry, and was glad to give anything he 

 possessed for a hot meal to warm himself and satisfy his 

 appetite. I used to be fond of this dish when I was a boy, 

 but I cannot say I like it now. The ancient Biblical habits 

 still exist in Mesopotamia, amongst both Christians and Arabs, 

 of rending* their garments at a calamity, or grief or anger, 

 smiting upon the breastf at prayer or supplication, bowing 

 their heads to the ground in the act of worship^ or homage,§ 

 throwing dust on their heads and covering it with their 

 hands|| in great affliction and such like misfortunes.H 



It was prophesied by Nahum respecting the fearful de- 

 struction of Nineveh thus : — " And Huzzab shall be led away 

 captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her 

 as with the voice of doves tabering upon their breasts." 

 This kind of lamentation is most scrupulously practised in 

 the Irak (Babylonia) by the Sheea sect of the Moslems 

 when the anniversary of the murder of their patron saint 

 Hosain is commemorated. I have seen blood gushing out 

 from the wounds caused by the severe tabering on the 

 breasts of young men when they were bewailing the historical 

 tragedy. 



The most remarkable observance which still exists amongst 

 the Arabs is the " covenant of salt," as it prevailed with 

 Biblical nationalities in primitive time. We find it was a 

 divine ordinance amongst the Israelites to celebrate their 

 heave offerings with salt.** In writing to Artaxerxes, king 

 of Persia, of their fidelity to him, the governors beyond the 

 Euphrates tell him thus, " because we eat the salt of the 

 palace it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, 

 therefore have we sent and certified the king."tt 



The only other Christian denominations existing in Asiatic 

 Turkey are that of the Greeks belonging to the orthodox faith, 

 and those who are in communion with the Church of Eome. 

 As the doctrine of both sects is well known I need not enter 



* 2 Samuel xiii, J 9. 



+ Luke xviii, 13 ; Nahum ii, 7. I Gen. xvii, 3 ; Matt, xxvi, 39. 



§ Euth ii, 10. II 2 Samuel xiii, 19 ; Job i, 20. 



TT This kind of homage can also be noticed on the black obelisk found by 

 Sir Henry Layard at Nimroud, where the Jewish Ambassador of Alitib 

 is seen falling on his face before Shalmaneser. 



** Lev. ii, 13, and Namb. xviii, 19. ft Ezra iv, 14. 



