The male black slave is treated with more consideration than the free servant; and leads a life well suited to his lazy disposition. If discontented with his situation, he can legally compel his master to sell him. Many of the slaves in Egypt wear the Turkish military dress. They are generally the greatest fanatics in the East; and more accustomed than any other class to insult the Christians and every people who are not of the faith which they have themselves adopted, without knowing more of its doctrines than Arab children who have been but a week at school. Of the female slaves, some account will be given in the next chapter. An acquaintance with the modern inhabitants of Egypt leads us often to compare their domestic habits with those of Europeans in the middle ages; and, perhaps, in this comparison, the points of resemblance which we observe, with regard to the men, are more striking than the contrasts; but the reverse will be found to be the case when we consider the state of the females. ----- Footnote 232: Men and women of this race often contract marriages with persons who are not members of the same; and as the title of shereef is inherited from either of the parents, the number of persons who enjoy this distinction has become very considerable. Footnote 233: This word is thus pronounced by the inhabitants of Cairo and the greater part of Egypt; but in most other countries where Arabic is spoken, “hájj.” The Turks and Persians use, instead of it, the synonymous Arabic word “hájjee.” Footnote 234: Unless there be a eunuch. The sakka is generally the chief of the servants. Footnote 235: I believe it is maple. Footnote 236: To preserve the matting or carpet from injury, a small brass tray is often placed beneath the bowl; and a small tray of wood is made use of to receive the ashes of the tobacco. Footnote 237: A Persian word, signifying “glass.” Footnote 238: It is, however, often recommended in the case of a cough. One of my friends, the most celebrated of the poets of Cairo, who is much troubled by asthma, uses the nárgeeleh almost incessantly from morning till night. Footnote 239: This is the name of the _beverage_; the _berries_ (whether whole or pounded) are called “bunn.” Footnote 240: In a full service there are ten fingáns and zarfs of uniform kinds, and often another fingán and zarf of a superior kind for the master of the house, or for a distinguished guest. In the accompanying sketch, the coffee-pot (“bekreg,” or “bakrag”) and the zarfs and tray are of silver, and are represented on a scale of one-eighth of the real size. Below this set are a similar zarf and fingán, on a scale of one-fourth, and a brass zarf, with the fingán placed in it. Some zarfs are of plain or gilt silver filigree; and a few opulent persons have them of gold. Many Muslims, however, religiously disallow all utensils of gold and of silver. Footnote 241: