SMOKING. USES OF TOBACCO. CHEWING. 127 stupidity or ignorance, but from design. On the other hand, they are never tired of most unblushingly asking and begging for every thing; all they see they covet, and fancy it should be at once given them, even though all could be bought for little money, and they themselves have plenty of this or other means of procuring what they beg for. If one does not from the very first go on tlie principle of determinedly and rudely refusing them every thing, one is sure to be victimised. Their plan is to part with nothing save for aout)le its value, and all who act otherwise tliey look on as fools. An Arab would see a man perish for want of a cup of water though plenty was at hand, ere he would reach him one, if he knew the dying man was without a para to give in return. In one word the whole race of the Bellad-Sudan, .ire the most completely devoid of feeling of any I ever was among.

Our life grows every day more monotonous and tedious ; our pipes are almost our only amusement. In general the Turks and Arabs of Egypt are great smokers, but not those of the other tribes.

Before the Turkish invasion, tobacco-smoking (dogahn, smoke), was unknown to the Schaigies, and even yet it is not practised by anything like a fourth part of these natives. Among the Mograbins it is hardly known at all,— but chewing, each portion of tobacco being accompanied by a piece of natron, is the order of the day. Master and servant, rich or poor, all carry about them a bag wath tobacco and pieces of natron in it, and tiiey do not carry their quid as Europeans who indulge in this bad habit do, in their cheek, but in front, between the teeth and upper lip. The blacks of Gesira have another method of enjoying this plant. They make a cold infusion of tobacco, and dissolve the natron in it. Of this precious mixture, called bucca, they take a mouthful, which they keep rincing about in their mouths for some quarter of an hour ere they eject it. So much do tliey delight in this bucca, that it is the highest treat they can offer to their dearest friends. The whole party sit in solemn silence, the bucca cup makes its round, each takes his mouthful, and nothing is heard save the gurgling and working inside the closed mouths ; at such a moment these blacks will give no reply to the most important questions, as to open the mouth would be to lose the cherished bucca, so signs are