294 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
treatment of women is not exadly fimilar, either to that which 
marks the manners of Afia, and other parts of Africa, or to that 
which is eftablifhed in Europe. In contradiftindtion to the wo- 
men of Egypt, in Soudan, when a ftranger enters the houfe, 
one of the more modeft indeed retires, but fhe is contented to 
retire to a fmall diftance, and palTes and repaffes executing the 
bufmefs of the houfe in the prefence of the men. In Egypt, a 
veil is invariably the guardian of real or affedted modefty. In 
Dar-Fur none attempt to conceal their faces but the wives of 
the great, whofe rank demands fome affedlation of decency — 
w^ho from fatiety of indulgence become coquets, or whofe vanity 
induces them to expedl that concealment will enfnare the inex- 
perienced with the hope of youth which has ceafed to recom- 
mend them, or beauty by which they could never boaft to be 
adorned. The middle and inferior rank are always contented 
with the flight covering of a cotton cloth, wrapped round the 
waift, and occafionally another of the fame form, materials, and 
fize, and equally loofe, artlefsly thrown over the fhoulders. They 
never eat with the men, but fliew no hefitation at being prefent 
when the men eat and drink. The moft modeft of them will 
enter the houfe, not only of a man and a ftranger, but of the 
traders of Egypt, and make their bargains at leifure. On fuch 
occafions, any indelicate freedom on the part of the merchant is 
treated with peculiar indulgence. The hufband is by no means 
remarkable for jealoufy, and provided he have reafon to fuppofe 
that his complaifance will be attended with any folid advantage, 
v^ill readily yield his place to a ftranger. Nothing can ftiock 
the feelings of an Egyptian more than to fee his wife in con- 
verfation with another man in public. For fimilar condud:, 
individuals 
