BENGAZI.

313 laudable expression of it in our guests : but it certainly did appear to us somewhat ridiculous to see men, with long beards, w ho had each of them two or three wdves, so completely discomfited at the sight of a rosy -faced girl. At the same time, w'e must allow that we have also our prejudices ; and it is probable, that the appearance of a young Arab damsel, with her veiled face and naked legs and feet, in the midst of a party of Englishmen, might occasion no trifling confusion ; scarcely less, perhaps, than that which was occasioned by the display of the fair face and neck above mentioned. It was some time before our worthy Arab friends recovered from the serious shock which their modesty had sustained ; but as modesty (for wEat reason we will not pretend to determine) is by no means an unconquerable feeling, we prevailed upon the blushing Shekhs, when the first impression had subsided, to take a second look at the picture ; declaring, that there was nothing in so innocent a display at which the most correct of true behevers need be shocked. We will not venture to say that they were quite of our opinion ; but it is certain that their curiosity (at least we suppose it to have been that) very soon got the better of their scruples ; and we even think, that some of them might actually have been persuaded to trust themselves in those sinful regions where a pretty face and figure may be looked at and admired without any very serious breach of decorum. As for Shekh Mahommed, he had so far recovered himself as to put the object of his former confusion into his pocket, though merely to show it (as he said) to his wives ; and was hardy enough to keep it three or four days, before he returned it to its owner.