An account of the manners and customs of the modern Egyptians, written in Egypt during the years 1833-1835 . e. Before he begins toeat, he says, Bi-smi-llah (In tlie name of God).^ Tiiis isgenerally said in a low, but audible voice ; and by the masterof the house first. It is considered both as a grace and as aninvitation to any person to partake of the meal ; and when anyone is addressed with Bi smi-llah, or Tafaddal (which lattersignifies, in this case, Do me the favour to iiaitakc of the * Or Iji-snii-lhilii-r-rahinani-r-raluein (In the name of GikI, the ^;om-passionate, the Mi-rciful). 132
An account of the manners and customs of the modern Egyptians, written in Egypt during the years 1833-1835 . e. Before he begins toeat, he says, Bi-smi-llah (In tlie name of God).^ Tiiis isgenerally said in a low, but audible voice ; and by the masterof the house first. It is considered both as a grace and as aninvitation to any person to partake of the meal ; and when anyone is addressed with Bi smi-llah, or Tafaddal (which lattersignifies, in this case, Do me the favour to iiaitakc of the * Or Iji-snii-lhilii-r-rahinani-r-raluein (In the name of GikI, the ^;om-passionate, the Mi-rciful). 132 THE MODERN EGYPTIANS. repaiit), he must reply, if he do not accept the invitation, Heneean (or May it be productive of enjoyment, or benefit ), or use some similar expression : else it will be fearedthat an evil eye has been cast upon the food ; and they say that, in the food that is coveted (or upon which an envious eyehas fallen), there is no blessing. But the manner in whichthe Egyptian often presses a stranger to eat with him, showsthat feelings of hospitality most forcibly dictate the A PARIY AT DINNER OR SUPPLR.* The master of the house first begins to eat; the guests or othersimmediately follow his example. Neither knives nor forks areused : the thumb and two fingers of the right hand serve insteadof those instruments ; but the spoons are used for soup or rice,or other things that cannot be easily taken without; and bothhands may be used in particular cases, as will be jiresently * Une of the servants is holding a water-bottle : the other, a fly-whisk,ni^ile of paljn leaves. DOMESTIC LIFE. 133 explained. When there are several dishes upon the tra), eachperson takes of any that he likes, or of every one in succession :when only one dish is placed upon the tray at a time, each takesfrom it a few mouthfuls, and it is quickly removed, to give placeto another.^ To pick out a delicate morsel, and hand it to afriend, is esteemed polite. The manner of eating with
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