86 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
" You are like the city afs, look fleek and carry dung." Some 
of thefe have really a portion of wit, and it is almoft the only 
occafion that I remember, when the Arabs exhibit any thing 
that can properly be fo denominated. The place of thefe, 
when they have received a prefent according to the pleafure of 
the Bey, is often fupplied by female fingers, who frequently ac- 
company their voices with an inftrument, touched like the guitar. 
There are women who are highly valued for this talent of 
amufmg the public ; and if any judgment may be formed 
from the manner in which they are fometimes rewarded, the 
gratification of their auditors is far from being moderate. There 
are occafions when fome of the Harem exhibit their vocal 
powers in the prefence of feledt company ; but this is not com- 
mon ; and in that cafe the performer is concealed behind a 
curtain or lattice. 
The laft are the female dancers or ghawafie. Thefe, it may 
be fuppofed, if they are able to fafcinate the eye of the multi- 
tude, in the public ftreets, with only ordinary exertions, negleft 
not to have recourfe to the more laboured blandifliments of 
their art in the prefence of a prince. 
Pehlaiv^n, rope-dancers, &c. are introduced, whofe exertions 
are not contemptible. 
Chefs and the Polifh drafts are the only games that are in- 
dulged in, and in thefe fome of the Beys are fkilled. They 
play remarkably quick, and apparently without much preme- 
ditation. But habit has given this facility. They pradife 
daily, and their minds are occupied by few objeds. 
Convenient 
