EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 435 
between mafter and fervant, but principally to avoid all equi- 
voque^ when perfons of various defcriptions are prefent, and, 
by making fecrefy a uniform habit, to avoid all fufpicion from 
the adoption of myftery in giving orders before company, 
when any thing is to be faid which it is not intended that com- 
pany fhould hear. 
The ingenuity of man in contriving his own unhappinefs, 
is in no part of the world more confpicuous than in Europe. 
Our mutual intercourfe is fo befet with forms, that it becomes 
doubtful whether it be a good or an evil ; and the individual, 
not unfrequently, leaves a company diflatisfied that he ever 
entered into it. Hence a continued defire of changing place 
and forming new acquaintance. 
Whenever a number of perfons meet together, eating and 
drinking feem to be a necelTary bond of union ; and they often 
do not feparate without that kind of feftivity which impairs 
the health of each, and creates diffenfions, as it were, by its 
mechanical operation. The fole benefit which refults from the 
focial meals of the Arabs, is to us entirely unknown. — No man 
thinks himfelf incapacitated from injuring his neighbour, in ^ 
confequence of having divided with him a loaf of bread, and 
a little fait, at the convivial board. 
In the Eaft focial intercourfe is lefs artificial, and lefs ham- 
pered with rules. It is maintained with more complacency, 
and relinquifhed, not without hope of renewal. We too have 
now indeed abandoned a part of its more inconvenient formali- 
3 K 2 ties; 
