TO THE PYRAMIDS. 71 
^ence, and expence that fhine in the excellent Py- 
ramids, cannot give a contemplator of nature fuch 
high ideas, as the art of thefe little creatures can 
excite. 
Between the tents of the Arabs and the Pyra- 
mids, 1 faw the dreadful large image, mentioned by 
every author. It was now fo much abufed that no- 
thing like a face was to be feen. The Arabs, who 
as Mahometans fuller no images, have entirely ruined 
the face, by calling their lances at it. It mull have 
been an excellent piece formerly, as the whole image 
Was cut out of one part of a limeltone mountain. 
W e returned to the Arabian tents. I was curious 
t0 f ce in perfon their manner of living, of which I 
will giv e a f[ lort defcription. The Arabians affem- 
hle in certain families, who occupy a place where 
they ereft their tents. Thefe chufe a Scheck or 
Leader. His office is to compromife quarrels be- 
tween them, and lead them on when they are at- 
tacked. Their oeconomy is compendious, but quite 
Efficient to make life agreeable : they dwell in 
tents, which commonly are made of camels hair : 
they are divided in fuch a manner, that the women 
hve in different rooms from the men; as both fexes, 
a ccording to the cultom of the Ealt, are not per- 
mitted to live conllantly in the fame room; nor are 
^°men permitted, by the Mahometan religion, to 
hew thcmfelves to other men. The furniture of 
the rich confifls of a mat, which they fpread over the 
ground in their tent; upon which they place a 
ofla which ferves them for table, chairs, and bed. 
le y have fomc copper veffels in which they boil 
t teir victuals, and f'ome wooden dilhes in which they 
cive them up. Their eftate confills in cattle, as 
cu es, altes, camels, oxen, cows, fheep and goats, 
1 which each family hath their own before the 
F 4 tent. 
