[FN#467] For Munkar and Nakir, the Interrogating Angels, see vol. v. iii.  According to Al-Mas’udi (chapt. xxxi.) these names were given by the Egyptians to the thirteenth and fourteenth cubits marked on the Nilometer which, in his day, was expected to show seventeen.

[FN#468] The text (xi. 227) has “Tannur"=an oven, evidently a misprint for “Kubur"=tombs.

[FN#469] Arab. “’An Abi"=(a propitiatory offering) for my father.  So in Marocco the “Powder-players” dedicate a shot to a special purpose or person, crying “To my sweetheart!” “To my dead!” “To my horse!” etc.

[FN#470] For this formula see vol. i. 65.  It is technically called “Haukalah” and “Haulakah,” words in the third conjugation of increased triliterals, corresponding with the quadriliteral radicals and possessing the peculiar power of Kasr=abbreviation.  Of this same class is Basmalah (vol. v. 206; ix. 1).

[FN#471] This scene with the watch would be relished in the coffee-house, where the tricks of robbers, like a gird at the police, are always acceptable.

[FN#472] Arab.  “La af’al”; more commonly Ma af’al.  Ma and La are synonymous negative particles, differing, however, in application.  Ma (Gr. ) precedes definites, or indefinites:  La and Lam (Gr. ) only indefinites as “La ilaha” etc.

[FN#473] Alluding to the proverb, “What hast thou left behind thee, O Asam?” i.e., what didst thou see?

[FN#474] Arab.  “Sayrafi,” s.s. as “Sarraf’:  see vol. i. 210.

[FN#475] Arab.  “Al-Ma’rafah"=the place where the mane grows.

[FN#476] i.e. though the ass remain on thy hands.

[FN#477] “Halves,” i.e. of dirhams:  see vol. ii. 37.

[FN#478] Arab.  “Taannafu,"=the Germ. lange Nase.

[FN#479] About forty shillings.

[FN#480] About L220.

[FN#481] Characteristically Eastern and Moslem is this action of the neighbours and bystanders.  A walk through any Oriental city will show a crowd of people screaming and gesticulating, with thundering yells and lightning glances, as if about to close in mortal fight, concerning some matter which in no way concerns them.  Our European cockneys and badauds mostly content themselves with staring and mobbing.

[FN#482] Arab.  “Muruwwah,” lit. manliness, especially in the sense of generosity.  So the saying touching the “Miyan,” or Moslem of India:—­

     Fi ’l-riuz Kuwwah: 
     Fi ’I Hindi muruwwah.

     When rice have strength, you’ll haply find,
     In Hindi man, a manly mind.

[FN#483] i.e.  His claim is just and reasonable.

[FN#484] I have noted (vol. i. 17) that good Moslems shun a formal oath, although “by Allah!” is ever on their tongues.  This they seem to have borrowed from Christianity, which expressly forbade it, whilst Christians cannot insist upon it too much.  The scandalous scenes lately enacted in a certain legislative assembly because an M.P. did not believe in a practice denounced by his creed, will be the wonder and ridicule of our descendants.