A large dish of rice and minced mutton
is placed on the table, and immediately every hand is thrust into it; and
in a moment it is empty. Then another dish is brought, and another; and
sometimes fourteen dishes of rice, one after the other, till all the
company are satisfied. They eat very fast, and each retires from dinner as
soon as he likes, without waiting for the rest. After dinner they drink
water, and a small cup of coffee without milk or sugar. Then they smoke
for many hours.
The Arabs do not indulge in eating or drinking too much, and this is one
of the best parts of their character.
[Illustration: CAMELS.]
THE THREE EVILS OF ARABIA.
The first evil is want of water. There is no river in Arabia: and the
small streams are often dried up by the heat.
The second evil is many locusts, which come in countless swarms, and
devour every green thing.
The third evil is the burning winds. When a traveller feels it coming, he
throws himself on the ground, covering his face with his cloak, lest the
hot sand should be blown up his nostrils. Sometimes men and horses are
choked by this sand.
These are the three great evils; but there is a still greater, the
religion of Mahomed: for this injures the soul; the other evils only hurt
the body.
THE THREE ANIMALS OF ARABIA.
The animals for which Arabia is famous are animals to ride upon.
Two of them are often seen in England; though here they are not nearly as
fine as in Arabia; but the third animal is never used in England.
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