In the singular “’A′lim.” This title is more particularly given to a professor of jurisprudence. European writers generally use the plural form of this appellation for the singular. Footnote 218: Since this was written, the public women throughout Egypt have been compelled to relinquish their licentious profession. Footnote 219: “Ibn beled.” If blind, he answers, “Aama.” Footnote 220: “Wahhed;” or, to more than one person, “Wahhedoo.” Footnote 221: Baron Hammer-Purgstall is mistaken in substituting “Meshaaledschi” for “Shealeg′ee.” The officer who bears the latter appellation does not carry a mesh′al, but a twisted torch. The mesh′al is described and figured in Chap. vi. Footnote 222: An ornament worn on the crown of the head-dress by women, described in the Appendix to this work. Footnote 223: See Diodorus Siculus, lib. i., cap. 80. Footnote 224: Suleymán A′gha, the Silahdár. Footnote 225: Aboo-Dá-ood, Aboo-’Alee, etc., are patronymics, used by the Egyptian peasants in general, not as signifying “Father of Dá-ood,” “Father of ’Alee,” etc., but “whose father is (or was) Dá-ood,” “—— ’Alee,” etc. Footnote 226: Lib. xxii. The more easily the peasant pays, the more is he made to pay. Footnote 227: Some estimate it at _five_ millions; others, at little more than _two_ millions. Footnote 228: The feddán has lately been reduced: it was equal to about an English acre and one-tenth a few years ago; and somewhat more at an earlier period. Footnote 229: Of some productions, as cotton, flax, etc., the government always takes the whole. Footnote 230: Even the debts of the peasantry of one village are often imposed upon the inhabitants of another who have paid all that is justly due from them. Footnote 231: The above account of the government of Egypt, having been written in the years 1834 and 1835, is not altogether correct with respect to the present time (1842). Great changes are now being made in various departments; and as the Básha has no longer to maintain an enormous military and naval force, he will be able to ameliorate very considerably the condition of the people whom he governs. Most of the evils of which the people of Egypt have hitherto had to complain have arisen from the vast expense incurred in war, from the conscription, and from the dishonesty of almost all the Básha’s civil officers. ---------------------------- CHAPTER V.| | DOMESTIC LIFE. Having sufficiently considered the foundations of the moral and social state of the Muslims of Egypt, we may now take a view of their domestic life and ordinary habits; and, first, let us confine our attention to the higher and middle orders.