CAPITAL OF KORDOFAN; LOBEID. 275 ment, as I have before observed, consists in the dances and songs of the women and girls, after sunset, when every one returns to his house.

In the quarter of the town named Kongeri, which is inhabited by the men of Darfour, dwells the sheikh Sultan Tehme, a descendant of the sultans of Darfour. His present occupation is very illsuited to his illustrious birth, for he is the mutilator of those poor boys Mho subsequently serve as guards in the various harems. This sheikh possesses two of the largest copper kettle-drums I ever saw in my life ; they were presented to him by Mehemed Ali, as a mark of distinction. These drums are beaten all day long on ever)' Friday and festival ; but their sound is by no means very agreeable to those who are not over fond of music. This sheikh presents a very imposing appearance, for though black as the night, he has a yeij luxuriant beard, not very general among the negroes, which he dies with a pomatum of a bright red colour ; it forms a striking contrast with his black shining face. When he rides into the country his horse is preceded by two musicians blowing during the whole march on a leathern pipe with eight holes.

AVhen I arrived at Lobeid I only found one single European living, Dr. Iken, whom I have before mentioned, a native of Hanover, who, like most of the Europeans, after a short residence there paid his tribute to the climate. He is buried in the court of his own house, which is situated in the T 2