Syria and the Holy Land : their scenery and their people : incidents of travel, &cfrom the best and most recent authorities . s do aJew. The physiognomy of the Druse is noble, grave, and sometimes evencharacterised by an expression of high spirit not untinctured with general, without being remarkable for tall sta- r ; ~ => c:-*-;--. ture, the men are wellmade, active, muscular,and possessed of extra-ordinary powers of en-durance. Their squarewell-knit frames betokengreat vigour, and to thisthey add the most daunt-less intrepidity. Theirwomen, of whom theyare exceedingly jealous,
Syria and the Holy Land : their scenery and their people : incidents of travel, &cfrom the best and most recent authorities . s do aJew. The physiognomy of the Druse is noble, grave, and sometimes evencharacterised by an expression of high spirit not untinctured with general, without being remarkable for tall sta- r ; ~ => c:-*-;--. ture, the men are wellmade, active, muscular,and possessed of extra-ordinary powers of en-durance. Their squarewell-knit frames betokengreat vigour, and to thisthey add the most daunt-less intrepidity. Theirwomen, of whom theyare exceedingly jealous,are taller in proportionthan the men, with finefigures, and clear rosywhite complexions, suchas would not disgrace thehealthiest lass that everbrushed the dew fromEnglish lawn, or High-land heather. Amongthem may be foundmany heads displayingthat superb character ofbeauty, almost unknownin Europe, — luxuriant raven hair, and eyes of the purest blue, with jet black brows and lashes- The character of the Druses is somewhat hard to define. Haughty, sanguinary, and vindictive by nature, they conceal these defects under an. Druse Female. THE DRUSES. 145 exquisite suavity of demeanour, and they fairly compensate for them bytheir unbounded hospitality, generosity, and loftiness of soul. Their code ofmorals is extremely rigid, and the greatest good faith prevails in theirmutual dealings ; their word, once passed, becomes a sacred oath as bindingas the most solemn legal contract. No people are more nice than they uponthe point of honour ; with them the least insult is instantly requited withthe khanjar, or the rifle; whereas, among the people of the plains, it onlyprovokes abusive retorts. From this delicate susceptibility has arisen amongthem that politeness of manner, which a gentleman, with the prejudices ofhis European education not yet modified by much contact with Orientals, isastonished to discover among peasants. It is carried even to dissimulationand falsehood, especially amo
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