[158] A recent traveller has questioned Mr. Lane's authority, in the "Modern Egyptians," for the remark that Muslims should not pray in the bath. A reference to any well-known collection of traditions of the Prophet will, however, prove, by many sayings besides that quoted above, that Mr. Lane is in this matter strictly accurate.--ED. [159] Nuzhet el-Mutaämmil, &c., section the seventh. [160] A pious Muslim generally sits at his meals with the right knee raised, after the example of the Prophet, who adopted this custom in order to avoid too comfortable a posture in eating, as tempting to unnecessary gratification.--ED. [161] Pp. 180--182, ed. Oxon. 1800. [162] See Esther vi. 8 and 9. [163] El-Maḳreezee's "Khiṭaṭ," and El-Is-ḥáḳee. [164] El-Is-ḥáḳee; reign of the Khaleefeh El-Musta'een, the son of El-Moạtaṣim. [165] Sketches of Persia, vol. i. ch. v. [Mr. Lane has written some of the Oriental words in this extract according to his own mode.--ED.] [166] Notes on the Bedouins and Wahábys, vol. i. pp. 220 et seq. 8vo. ed. [167] A more full account of this custom is given in my work on the Modern Egyptians, vol. i. ch. l. [168] Notes on the Bedouins and Wahábys, vol. i. p. 232, 8vo. ed. [169] Kitáb el-'Onwán fee Mekáïd en-Niswán. [170] Ch. xxiv. vv. 27-29. [171] See "Modern Egyptians," vol. ii., close of chap, ix.--Since this was written, I have found that El-Idreesee applies the term "Ḥasheesheeyeh," which is exactly synonymous with "Ḥashshásheen," to the "Assassins:" this, therefore, decides the question. [172] Lib. i. cap. 10. [173] Lib. ii. cap. 77. [174] El-Maḳreezee and El-Is-ḥáḳee. CHAPTER III. COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE NINTH NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH. THE STORY OF THE PORTER AND THE LADIES OF BAGHDÁD, AND OF THE THREE ROYAL MENDICANTS, &c. There was a man of the city of Baghdád, who was unmarried, and he was a porter; and one day, as he sat in the market, reclining against his crate,[III_1] there accosted him a female wrapped in an izár[III_2] of the manufacture of El-Móṣil,[III_3] composed of gold-embroidered silk, with a border of gold lace at each end, who raised her face-veil, and displayed beneath it a pair of black eyes, with lids bordered by long lashes, exhibiting a tender expression, and features of perfect beauty; and she said, with a sweet voice, Bring thy crate, and follow me.