434 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
But independently of the immenfe expenfe of a procefs in 
moft countries of Europe, the anxiety and fufpenfe while it is 
depending, tend to leflen the happinefs of fociety, and are, by 
their frequency, ferious evils. 
Domeftic manners furnifh a more minute, but not unim- 
portant contraft. In receiving ftrangers at his houfe and when 
they leave it, the Oriental teftifies no great emotion. The 
vifitor is welcomed rather by adions than words. An Arab 
or Turk having once accorded protedion, which he does with 
a kind of diftance and hauteur, never afterwards withdraws it, 
and his word may be relied on. In vifiting, as is well known, 
the common but abfurd practice, which obtains among our- 
felves, of urging thofe to ftay longer, of whofe company one 
is already tired, is obviated by the fimple ufe of a little fcented 
wood in a cenfer. • . 
In their communications every thing tends rather to tran- 
quillize the mind, than to excite the paffions. The quarrels of 
the mere mob, indeed, evaporate in idle vociferation ; but 
among perfons of any breeding, the voice is fcarcely ever 
raifed above its ordinary tone. 
The greateft number of menials in a family (and in the Eaft 
they are very numerous) occafions no confufion. All is con- 
ducted in filence and order. All fuch diredlions as are in the 
common routine of affairs, are given by figns, and are inftantly 
underftoodj not from pride, or as implying the vaft diftance 
between 
