e. Whalebone and husks, which martyr
European girls, they know not. They are only covered with a shift until
six years old: and the dress they afterwards wear confines none of their
limbs, but suffers the body to take its true form; and nothing is more
uncommon than ricketty children, and crooked people. In Egypt, man rises
in all his majesty, and woman displays every charm of person.

The Egyptian women, once or twice a week, are permitted to go to the
bath, and visit female relations and friends. They receive each other's
visits very affectionately. When a lady enters the harem, the mistress
rises, takes her hand, presses it to her bosom, kisses, and makes her
sit down by her side; a slave hastens to take her black mantle; she is
entreated to be at ease, quits her veil, and discovers a floating robe
tied round her waist with a sash, which perfectly displays her shape.
She then receives compliments according to their manner: "Why, my
mother, or my sister, have you been so long absent? We sighed to see
you! Your presence is an honor to our house! It is the happiness of our
lives!"

Slaves present coffee, sherbet, and confectionary. They laugh, talk and
play. A large dish is placed on the sofa, on which are oranges,
pomegranates, bananas, and excellent melons. Water, and rose-water
mixed, are brought in an ewer, and with them a silver bason to wash the
hands; and loud glee and merry conversation season the meal. The chamber
is perfumed by wood of aloes, in a brazier; and, the repast ended, the
slaves dance to the sound of cymbals, with whom the mistresses often
mingle. At parting they several times repeat, "God keep you in health!
Heaven grant you a numerous offspring! Heaven preserve your children;
the delight and glory of your family!"

When a visitor is in the harem, the husband must not enter. It is the
asylum of hospitality, and cannot be violated without fatal
consequences; a cherished right, which the Egyptian women carefully
maintain, being interested in its preservation. A lover, disguised like
a woman, may be introduced into the harem, and it is necessary he should
remain undiscovered; death would otherwise be his reward. In that
country, where the passions are excited by the climate, and the
difficulty of gratifying them is great, love often produces tragical
events.

PERSIAN WOMEN.

Several historians, in mentioning the ancient Persians, have dwelt with
peculiar severity on the manner in which they tr