JOURNAL 





OP THE 



ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL. 



Vol. LXII. Part III.— ANTHROPOLOGY AND 

 COGNATE SUBJECTS. 



No. II.— 1893. 



Modern Customs among the Bedouins of the Haurdn, edited and translated 

 by Colonel H. S. Jarrett. 

 Introduction. 

 The following monograph in Arabic, treating of the customs of 

 the Bedonin tribes that visit the Hauran, or dwell there during a great 

 part of the year, was sent to the Asiatic Society by the distinguished 

 author of ' Arabia Deserta,' Mr. 0. M. Doughty, from Italy in the spring 

 of last year. The letter accompanying the communication thus ex- 

 plains the origin and expresses the interesting character of the manu- 

 script illustrative of customs of which details so circumstantial and 

 exact are rarely within the opportunities of ordinary travellers to 

 observe. 



Villa Meglia, San Bemo. 

 I have procured that a Lebanon Arabic school teacher, who was many years 

 stationed in the Hanran, beyond Jordan, and who in that time was much with the 

 nomad tribesmen, should write an account from his own observation of the customs 

 of those Bedawin, and from his own (Syrian) point of view. He knows no other 

 than the Arabic language. The result is a manuscript of about 40 pages in Arabic 

 which I should think will be found of considerable interest, especially if the text be 

 printed with a translation. I consulted Professor Sprenger as to publishing it (he 

 has not seen it). He responded it might be best to put myself in communication 

 with you, as you have the means of publishing the original, and it might form an 

 article in your Journal. I offer it therefore for your acceptance. 



I am, dear Sir, Yours sincerely, 

 8th April, 1892. ChaS. M. Doughty. 



J. III. 7 



