[FN#241] Arab. and Heb.  “Laban” (opp. to “laban-halib,” or simply “halib” = fresh milk), milk artificially soured, the Dahin of India, the Kisaina of the Slavs and our Corstophine cream.  But in The Nights, contrary to modern popular usage, “Laban” is also applied to Fresh milk.  The soured form is universally in the East eaten with rice and enters into the Salatah or cucumber-salad.  I have noted elsewhere that all the Galactophagi, the nomades who live on milk, use it in the soured never in the fresh form.  The Badawi have curious prejudices about it:  it is a disgrace to sell it (though not to exchange it), and “Labban,” or “milk-vendor,” is an insult.  The Brahni and Beloch pomades have the same pundonor possibly learnt from the Arabs (Pilgrimage i. 363).  For ’Igt (Akit), Mahir, Saribah, Jamidah and other lacteal preparations, see ibid. i. 362.

[FN#242] I need hardly say that the poison would have been utterly harmless, unless there had been an abrasion of the skin.  The slave- girl is blamed for carrying the jar uncovered because thus it would attract the evil eye.  In the Book of Sindibad the tale appears as the Story of the Poisoned Guest; and the bird is a stork.

[FN#243] The Prince expresses the pure and still popular Moslem feeling; and yet the learned and experienced Mr Redhouse would confuse this absolute Predestination with Providence.  A friend tells me that the idea of absolute Fate in The Nights makes her feel as if the world were a jail.

[FN#244] In the Book of Sindibad this is the Story of the Sandal-wood Merchant and the Advice of the Blind Old Man.  Mr. Clouston (p. 163) quotes a Talmudic joke which is akin to the Shaykh’s advice and a reply of Tyl Eulenspiegel, the arch-rogue, which has also a family resemblance.

[FN#245] Arab.  “Sa’a,” a measure of corn, etc., to be given in alms.  The Kamus makes it = four mudds (each being 1/3 lbs.); the people understand by it four times the measure of a man’s two open hands.

[FN#246] i.e. till thou restore my eye to me.  This style of prothesis without apodosis is very common in Arabic and should be preserved in translation, as it adds a naivete to the style.  We find it in Genesis iii. 2, “And now lest he put forth his hand,” etc.

[FN#247] They were playing at Murahanah, like children amongst us.  It is also called “Hukm wa Riza” = order and consent.  The penalty is usually something ridiculous, but here it was villainous.

[FN#248] Every Moslem capital has a “Shaykh of the thieves” who holds a regular levees and who will return stolen articles for consideration; and this has lasted since the days of Diodorus Siculus (Pilgrimage i. 91).

[FN#249] This was not the condition; but I have left the text as it is characteristic of the writer’s inconsequence.