TUNIS OF TODAY 
‘5 
— 
= 
731k 
BUTCHER SHOP: TUNIS 
direct from Germany. A large business 
is done in these German scents, so per- 
fectly imitated that it takes a connoisseur 
to tell the difference. The guides are a 
band of robbers and demand 50 per cent 
or more commission on all purchases. 
Entering one of the largest souks, 
steaming Turkish coffee is brought us in 
tiny cups, while oriental rugs, silks, 
jewels, and antique weapons are shown 
us. 
The souks are picturesque and fasci- 
nating places, where time passes all too 
rapidly. A rug should be looked at in 
various lights; its color and texture dis- 
cussed and its price debated, and many 
cups of coffee and quantities of ciga- 
rettes consumed before its eventual pur- 
chase. Not to accept a cup of coffee is- 
almost an offense, and it is always of- 
fered. The merchants in the souks are 
keen tradesmen, and the prices vary ac- 
cording to the appearance of the pur- 
chaser. The original price is always: 
greatly in-excess of what is expected. 
One of the most picturesque souks is- 
that of the saddle and harness makers. 
The tomb of a maribout (holy man) is 
in the center of the street, and on féte 
days there are beautiful old flags. ‘The 
color effects are impossible to describe 
and most difficult to paint. 
The Arab saddles and bridles have 
mountings of silver and panther and 
leopard skins. The leather is of red 
morocco, or a pale yellow, and harnesses, 
