What is the evil eye? How should such a fancy have taken root? I once commended a child’s beauty: the nurse immediately spat in its face. I asked the reason; she answered, “Against your evil eye.” Pride was there the spell, humiliation the _fascinum_. The figure of a hand is the ordinary talisman.[271] The open hand denotes generosity, the closed one firmness. The hand so used is neither closed nor open, two fingers being doubled, two extended. What can this signify, if not a measured participation of what you enjoy to prevent the longing, from becoming the “evil,” eye? Associated as the hand is with kuscoussoo, the emblem is appropriate. That _superstition_ has cheered many a heavy spirit and relaxed many a girded heart, and is cheaper than a poor-law. Thus, by the maxims, habits, and domestic practices and superstitions which centre in and support hospitality--not the hospitality that invites a compeer, but which confers food and raiment upon the destitute--are the inequalities of the human condition moderated; alike prevented from being greatly diverse, the balance is maintained between wealth and numbers, and the classes cemented to each other. As on the one side there can be none absolutely destitute, so can there be none excessively rich; and in all cases riches must flow in benefits around. It is a melancholy fact, that hospitality has disappeared in Christendom--not in practice only, but in every thought--and therefore are our minds a chaos, as well as our condition. Nor is there remedy. Science may be taught, but not simplicity; and duties which we have superseded by legislation, we shall presently prohibit by law. FOOTNOTES: [258] When eaten with buttermilk they use spoons, the place of which is here supplied by enormous mussel shells--true _cochlearia_. The savoury accompaniments are thus absorbed, and the ball acquires that consistency which gives to the dish its zest. [259] “When he (the Sultan) is intent upon a piece of work, or eager to have it finished, he won’t allow himself to go to his meals, but orders some of his eunuchs or negroes to bring him a dish of kuscoussoo, which he sits down and eats after a brutish manner; for as soon as he has rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, he thrusts his arms into the dish up to his elbows, and bringing a handful from the bottom he fills his mouth, and then throws the rest into the dish again, and so on till he is satisfied.”--_Account of Barbary_, p. 92, 1713. [260] They use flour, but not as bread. It is made like porridge, and eaten with milk. [261] The effect of fermentation on food was not overlooked by the ancients. “Panis azymus, ou sans levain, Celse dit facile à dégirer: les modernes _ne sont pas de cet avis_.”--Note by Pankoucke to Pliny, l. xviii. c. 27.