236 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



his beard to grow without regard to a side-lock, I supposed him to be 

 a Syrian Jew. 



I did not observe the side-lock among the Jews of Egypt; who like- 

 wise belong to the Syrian class. They inhabit a distinct quarter of 

 the city of Cairo; where, as in Europe, their principal occupation ap- 

 peared to be, dealing in money. Their traditionary acounts of Egyp- 

 tian matters, have not proved to be of much value. On viewing, how- 

 ever, the scenes of their early history, one can better realize the won- 

 derful and unique development of a whole nation from a single family. 



At Bombay, the Indian Jews form a considerable body of artisans 

 among the lower orders of the population. The greater proportion 

 of them, distinguish themselves as Beni-Israel ; and in the opinion of 

 competent inquirers, the title had not been lightly assumed. Poly- 

 gamy, I was informed, "exists among the Beni-Israel, but principally, 

 when the first wife proves barren; and the ancient custom of marry- 

 ing a brother's widow, is not continued." 



In such of the Beni-Israel as were pointed out to me, I did not 

 perceive any peculiarity in personal appearance distinguishing them 

 from the rest of this Jewish community ; which presented an unex- 

 pected variety in feature, complexion, and even in costume. I ob- 

 served, however, one point of agreement, in the head being shaved ; 

 entirely in some instances, but usually in such a manner as to leave 

 traces of a side-lock. The head-mantle, apparently a relic of the life 

 of their forefathers in the Desert, was used in the synagogue ; and 

 their religious service was the more impressive, as being practised in 

 the midst of an idolatrous population. 



"A few years ago, the Bombay Jews were in a very low and de- 

 graded state ; being dependent for the little Hebrew they possessed, 

 on the Arabian Jews; by whom they were held in very little con- 

 sideration. The attention of the missionaries having been turned in 

 this direction, the Bombay Jews were supplied with printed copies 

 of the Scriptures ; since which time, their knowledge of Hebrew had 

 become more general, and their condition in other respects had im- 

 proved. They had expressed much gratitude for the benefit, saying, 

 that the sun then rose upon them for the first time." 



I saw numbers of Arabian Jews at Aden ; which place seems to 

 have been principally inhabited by them, prior to the English occu- 



