1859.] Notes on Kdfiristdn. 359 



amongst the Scythians. He says : — " Once every year, the governor 

 of a district, each in his own circuit, mingles a bowl of wine, from 

 which those Scythians drink, by whom enemies have been captured : 

 but they who have not achieved this, do not taste of the wine, but 

 sit at a distance in dishonour ; this is accounted the greatest disgrace. 

 Such of them as have killed very many men, having two cups at once, 

 drink them together."* 



To escape from this disgrace as soon as possible, it may naturally 

 be imagined, that these unsuccessful foragers lose no opportunity in 

 going again to seek their enemies ; and that the young men require 

 no stronger stimulant to urge them to the destruction of their 

 natural foes. Those who, during their life-time have never volunteered 

 to set out on one of these expeditions, or may never have had the 

 opportunity of so doing, are not subjected to these rigorous rules, 

 which only refer to those, who, of their own free will, have set out 

 for the express purpose of making an inroad into the territories of 

 their enemies, after the termination of the annual feast ; still, all who 

 have not killed at least one Muhammadan during their lives, are not 

 held in much esteem. 



Notwithstanding the natural animosity of the Si'ah-posh Kafirs 

 towards the followers of the Prophet of Mekka, who constantly make 

 inroads into their country for the purpose of capturing and carrying 

 oif slaves and cattle ; and, that the former lose no opportunity ir 

 making reprisals, and are constant in their endeavours to destroy 

 them, as enjoined by their religion and ancient custom, as will have 

 been seen from the preceding remarks : yet when a Musalmau throws 



very coldly, " I brought hiin into the world for no other end." This temper of 

 mind was general among the Lacedaemonians. After the famous battle of Leuctra, 

 which was so fatal to the Spartans, the parents of those that died in the action 

 congratulated one another upon it, and went to the temples to thank the gods 

 that their children had done their duty; whereas, the relations of those that 

 survived the defeat were inconsolable. If any of the Spartans fled in the battle 

 they were dishonoured and disgraced for ever. They were not only excluded from 

 all posts and employments in the state, from all assemblies and public diversions, 

 but it was reckoned scandalous to make any alliances with them by marriage ; 

 and a thousand affronts and insults were publicly offered them with impunity." 

 Eollin : Ancient Histoiiy. Vol. I., pp. 23G. 

 * Herodotus : Book IV. Melpomene. Chap. 66. 



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