CAIRO. 367 
least discomposed ; but, on the contrary; laughed excessively : yet 
unquestionably this was by no means the effect of vice, but solely 
of habit, which had rendered the scene so familiar, that they did 
not perceive its impropriety, and even, when asked, danced them- 
selves in as indecent a manner. In the intervals of the perform- 
ances, the dancing girls went round, demanding money from each 
person. 
In so turbulent a city as Cairo, every house is wisely constructed 
for defence, and, consequently, has no windows, or only a few of small 
dimensions, towards the street ; they are generally built round a 
court, and contain a small garden within their walls. The house 
of Mr. Rosetti, in which Mr. Macardle resides, is very large, with 
lofty rooms, and well furnished ; a part of the end of the state 
apartment is raised from the floor, and covered with rich carpet, 
around which are couches composed of cushions, in the Eastern 
style, which is called a Divan. The whole room is covered either 
with a mat or a carpet, and in the middle are chairs and tables: 
the windows are large and glazed. 
The female Greeks born in Egypt are pretty, fair, and well made, 
when young, but child birth destroys their figures by relaxation, 
and their bosoms become large and flaccid. Their head dress is 
Asiatic, and richly adorned with gold, pearls, and diamonds : their 
robes are of the same style, and consist of satins and velvets, faced 
or lined with fur. Unfortunately, in the same proportion in which 
the outside is adorned, the inside is neglected. The mind of a 
female Greek is a total blank, or worse. 
The gentlemen of Mr. Rosetti s house are chiefly Italians, sensi- 
ble, and well informed. Of the French nation there are very few 
