399 



command of his troops; whose confidence and affection to their 

 general, made them, on the prince's death, prefer his interest to 

 that of the heir to the throne, from whence he afterwards spread 

 his extensive conquests. 



Salt was equally emblematical and sacred among the Greeks; 

 Homer says " they sprinkle sacred salt from lifted urns/' 



" With water purify their hands, and take 



" The sacred offering of the salted cake." Iliad. 



Drinking water in an Arab's tent has the same good effect 

 as eating salt. It was so in the time of the crusades, when the 

 sultaun Saladine allowed his prisoner Lusignan, king of Jerusalem, 

 to drink water in his presence; on the captive monarch offerino- the 

 cup to one of his lords, equally thirsty, the sultaun prevented his 

 drinking, because he meant to put him to death. However we may 

 view the transaction in a political light, it adds no honour to Jael's 

 character, that she treacherously murdered an unfortunate prince 

 who had fled to her tent for protection; and " when he asked for 

 water, she gave him milk; and brought forth butler in a lordly dish." 



