Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-10

guished for their generosity. They
were called AbdaIlah, Musiapha, and
Alhassdn. A stranger feigning dis
tress and wishing to test their LIBERAL
ity, asked help of them in turn. On
applying to AbdalIah, who was Just
starting on journey, he gave him
the dromedary on which he rode with
all It's treasures. The stranger appli-
ed TO Mustapha, but the chief was
asleep at the time. The slave, pre-
Stunning on his masters generosity,
gave him u bag Of 1000 pieces of
gold. Mustapha, on awakening, was
angry with his slave and reproached
him with giving so little, saying that
he would have rewarded him more
literally. As the stranger approach
ed the abode of Al-Ilassan, the old
chef, who was smitten with blind
ness, vas starting on a pilgrimage,
leaning on two slaves. On applying
10 HIM Tor relief, the old chieitaln
said That he hud no other property
but his two slaves, and these he gave
most freely. The palm of generosi-
ty was given to Al-Hassan. As
proof Of The Arabian magnanimity
of spirit, | will cite an instance
Hassein, while slave. accidentally
spilled plate of soup upon his mas
ter, while at dinner. Frightened and
fearing punishment, he exclaimed,
May those vino forgive, live in Par
adisc. His master answered, -" |
forgive you" The slave continued,
" May those who are maguaDimous,
dwell in Paradise" His master re-
/ piled, :" am maguanmous, and as
proof, | give you this bag Of 400
pieces of gold and release You forev-
er from The bonds of slavery
The spirit Of hospitality remains
in the cities even at the present time,
at least in form. The merchant tells
you, his horse, carriage, house, and
everything 10 short, are yours. Po-
likeness requires you to accept. You
can tell him to take charge OF it IN
al YOU need it. Such is the spirit of
hospitality among the Arabs.
Though fierce and revengehnl 10
the last degree, they are not cruel
and blood-thrsty. Their feuds are
chiefly from blood-revenge, and their
unsuitable desire for plumber. In fact,
they may be called wars on small
scale, aud they believe that war sane
tons the right of pillage. The crime
OF theit Is rare among the tribes
But in some few tribes, ,hicving is
allowed under Spartan restrictions.
Thut is, If the thief escape undeiec-
ted, he is considered clever fellow,
but if caught, he suffers disgrace. -
There are two faults prominent a.
mong them which would seem TO have
E''lo Pdlliation. These are. lyina
and cheating. Unless an Arab is
your bosom friend, he will leave no
stone uniurned to cheat you to the
best of his ability Should YOU prove
the sharper OF the two in bargain
and oulwit him 10 lis plots, nothing
can exceed his respect for you. II
he succeed in his cheating, you sink
IN his estimation, TO the lowest de-
gree. When | caugh; them at their
tricSs; they would own it up with a
smile, thinking it TO be good Joke.
One should understand their language
IN order to make a just allowance for
this habit. Their habit Of lying may
be divided into three classes. LIST,
that of malice; ID, that of careless
ness, and Sd, their tendency TO exag-
gerate. The Pasha of Trpol, who
well understood their habits, used to
tell story to this effect. Soon af-
ter the peopling of the world, the
devil come down here with nine bags
of lies. One Of these he opened
and scattered broadcast over Europe
But no sooner had he landed on the
shores of ASIA than he was beset by
party of Arabians who robbed him
of his other eight bags. With re-
gard to their lying through careless
ness, you may ask an Arab ques-
ton and are sure 10 get an answer OF
some kind. IL il is not too much
trouble he may tell you the truth il
he does not see fit, he gives some 9th
er answer. He is like a salesman,
who, not having the article required,
substitutes something else which he
considers as suitable. They do not
seem to see that this is any defect in
their morality. Their habit of lying
by exaggeraton arises partly frcm the
genius of their language, coupled
with the ieryid Imagination Of the
race. II is language of roots, a
bounding in bold and brilliant meta
phors. 1t is peculiarly language
belonging TO the childhood of the
world, and hears close resemblance
in ITS structure TO the language of the
Hebrews. My dragoman exaggera-
ted terribly, aud in fact found the
habit growing upon myself. But il
is due, IN justice 10 you, to say that
with The unlearuing of the language
| have unlearned this habit. The
English is the best language for tel
ling the plain truth,
The only way TO manage with
these Arabs is 10 set up "a standard
of truth, although this is a matter o.
some difficulty. The Sheik Of Tim
bucioo, "A religious man, told me, OF
asking him what was the power o.
the Ashantee tribes, that the Sullar