[FN#309] Khorasan which included our Afghanistan, turbulent then as now, was in a chronic state of rebellion during the latter part of Al-Rashid’s reign.

[FN#310] The brutality of a Moslem mob on such occasions is phenomenal:  no fellow-feeling makes them decently kind.  And so at executions even women will take an active part in insulting and tormenting the criminal, tearing his hair, spitting in his face and so forth.  It is the instinctive brutality with which wild beasts and birds tear to pieces a wounded companion.

[FN#311] The popular way of stopping hemorrhage by plunging the stump into burning oil which continued even in Europe till Ambrose Pare taught men to take up the arteries.

[FN#312] i.e. folk of good family.

[FN#313] i.e. the result of thy fervent prayers to Allah for me.

[FN#314] Arab.  “Al-Abarik” plur. of lbrik, an ewer containing water for the Wuzu-ablution.  I have already explained that a Moslem wishing to be ceremonially pure, cannot wash as Europeans do, in a basin whose contents are fouled by the first touch.

[FN#315] Arab.  “Naihah ,the praefica or myriologist.  See vol. i. 311.  The proverb means, “If you want a thing done, do it yourself.”

[FN#316] Arab.  “Burka’,” the face veil of Egypt, Syria, and Arabia with two holes for the eyes, and the end hanging to the waist, a great contrast with the “Litham or coquettish fold of transparent muslin affected by modest women in Stambul.

[FN#317] i.e. donned petticoat-trousers and walking boots other than those she was wont to wear.

[FN#318] “Surah” (Koranic chapter) may be a clerical error for “Surah” (with a Sad) = sort, fashion (of food).

[FN#319] This is solemn religious chaff; the Shaykh had doubtless often dipped his hand abroad in such dishes; but like a good Moslem, he contented himself at home with wheaten scones and olives, a kind of sacramental food like bread and wine in southern Europe.  But his retort would be acceptable to the True Believer who, the strictest of conservatives, prides himself on imitating in all points, the sayings and doings of the Apostle.

[FN#320] i.e. animals that died without being ceremonially killed.

[FN#321] Koran ii. 168.  This is from the Chapter of the Cow where “that which dieth of itself (carrion), blood, pork, and that over which other name but that of Allah (i.e. idols) hath been invoked” are forbidden.  But the verset humanely concludes:  “Whoso, however, shall eat them by constraint, without desire, or as a transgressor, then no sin shall be upon him.”

[FN#322] i.e. son of Simeon=a Christian.

[FN#323] Arab. and Heb.  “Haykal,” suggesting the idea of large space, a temple, a sanctuary, a palace which bear a suspicious likeness to the Accadian E-kal or Great House = the old Egyptian Perao (Pharaoh?), and the Japanese “Mikado.”