Part 18 (2/2)

[373] That is poison of the strongest kind.--Vide note on this word in page 213.

[374] Meaning in this world and the next.

[375] Barbers in Asia not only shave but wash persons in the private and public baths.

[376] A prince of _Khurasan_, who quitted a throne in order to lead a life of piety.

[377] A celebrated city of _Khurasan_, famous in former times for its riches.

[378] The att.i.tude of respect, common in the East, when a servant has a request to make of his master; or a very inferior person of one who is greatly his superior.

[379] Meaning, ”of surpa.s.sing speed.”

[380] In the original, the word is _kai_, or the green sc.u.m that floats on stagnant water. ”_Bihzad Khan_, dispersed the enemy as _kai_ is dispersed when a stone is thrown into the water,” is nearly the original simile.

[381] Literally, ”merely continued bringing up the soil from the bottom.”

[382] The first and second _Darweshes_.

[383] One of the many epithets applied to _Darweshes_ in the East.

[384] A Persian proverb.

[385] The regent; the fourth _Darwesh's_ uncle.

[386] According to the fabulous system of _jinns, divs, paris, &c.,_ in Asia, it is supposed that the _jinns_ and _paris_ live on essences, &c. The _divs_ are malignant spirits or beings, and live on less delicate food.

[387] _Divs_ or demons; the malignant race of _jinns_.

[388] _Chin_ and _Machin,_ is the general name of China among the Persians.

[389] _Bukhur_ is a kind of frankincense.

[390] _Abu-Jahal_, or ”the father of obstinacy,” or ”of brutality,”

was the name of an Arab. He was uncle to the prophet _Muhammad_, and an inveterate opposer of the latter's new religion.

[391] The forty figures of monkeys would give the possessor a power over the _divs_ and _jinns_, and having them at his command, he could easily overset the usurper, _alias_ his uncle.

[392] The _Ismi A'zam_, or great name of G.o.d.--See note 2, p. 145.

[393] Alluding to the Asiatic custom of the women being concealed from the view of all, except their husbands or very near relations.

[394] The _kazis_ and _muftis_ are the judges in Turkey, Arabia, Persia and _Hindustan_, of all civil and religious causes; they likewise marry, divorce, &c.

[395] The _tija_ is the same as the _siyum_.--See note 2, page 187.

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