194 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

a hook from the head, even to the point of the nose, and to which the long, narrow face veil (burkh) is fastened, by having been worn from youth, and being springy and flexible, has blunted the point of the nose, and even sometimes turned it upwards.

Usually they are very pale, and this is chiefly caused by their little attention to cleanliness, their constant sitting in their houses in an unhealthy atmosphere, and their poor and unhealthy food. The poorer classes of the Copts often sell their very young daughters to Franks and others, but not to Mussulmen, as a kind of temporary wives. Some relation settles the price of the bride, generally from 500 to 2000 piastres, and some ornaments and dresses for her. The moment terms are settled, the man is allowed to behold his bride elect, and, if she does not please him, all snay be broken off on the payment of a small sum of money ; if she does, the time of marriage is fixed on and takes place after Coptish rites. On the evening of such marriage day, the bride, closely -veiled, accompanied by her parents, male and female relatives :«,nd friends, arrives with a torch procession at her pro tempore husband's house, where a Coptish priest performs the marriage '.ceremony, and a splendid meal, with much drinking, at the bridegroom's expense, finishes the business. This temporary marriage is over when the husband, at his own time, sends back the woman along with her clothes and ornaments, to her parents ; and these, along with the already received price, often amount to a considerable value. The Coptish Avomen are very little given to work of any kind, spend most of their time in coffee drinking, lounging on sofas, and clapping their hands, a sign for the slaves to bring in the fresh filled pipes, or refreshments. They also pass much of their time in dressing and adorning themselves, even though] there is no one to see or admire Ahem.

The Coptish men seem to view their wives as their most valuable -treasures, for as soon as they leave their dwellings to go to the Divan, they lock up their doors, and stick into their pockets the large wooden keys with iron pins ; so that all inside are locked in for all day, as the careful master seldom returns home till evening. Iron keys or locks, save among the Franks, are not to be found in Egypt, Nubia, or Bellad-Sudan. The wooden lock