GRAND CAIRO. 101 
whom we had frequent opportunity of hearino- chap. 
the Arahic, as spoken by the most polished -' . 
females of the city. The dress of those youno- Dress oj 
ladies was much more elegant than any female in caiv™^" 
costume we had before observed in the East, 
and it was entirely borrowed from the Antients. 
A zone placed immediately below the bosom 
served to confine a loose robe, open in front, so 
as to display a pair of rich pantaloons. The 
feet were covered with embroidered slippers, 
but the ankle and instep were naked ; and round 
the lower part of the leg, above the ankle, they 
wore cinctures of massive gold, resembhng the 
golden cincture discovered in a tomb near the 
Cimmerian Bosporus, and represented in a former 
part of this work^ 
Denon speaks of the pleasurable sensations state of 
daily excited by the delicious temperature of °""^ ^' 
Cairo, causing Europeans, who arrive with the 
intention of spending a few months in the place, 
to remain during the rest of their lives, without 
ever persuading themselves to leave it. Few 
persons, however, with whom we associated, 
were disposed to acquiesce in the opinion 
of this very amiable writer. Those who are 
(3) See Vol. II. Chap. II. p. 73. Octavo edition.. 
