The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-12
An Arabs Idea of Women.

The interest concerning the regions of tile Upper
Nile created by the Abyssinian expedition has in
duced the publication of new book in London, by
Sir Samuel Baker, whose title s, "The Nile Tribu
taries and the Sword Hunters of the Hamran
Arabs. 1t is said by the English reviewers to be
as interesting as the authors previous work. AT
the village of Wat el Negur Sir Samuel had some
curious talk with one of the Arab Shciks on the
subject of marriage We quote:
The sheik laid down the law with great force,
''that woman was of no use when she ceased to
! be young, unless she vas O good strong person
who could grind corn and carry water from the
river - in this assertion he was seconded, and sup
ported unanimously by the crowd of Arabs
present.
Now it was always a common practice among
the Arab women, when they called upon my wife,
to request her to show her hands; they would
then feel the soft palms, and exclaim in astonlsh
| ment, "Ahl she has never ground corn !" that
being the duty of wife, unless she is rich enough
to possess slaves. Sheik Achmet requested me to
give him some account of our domestic arrange
ments in England. l did this as briefly as posi-
BILE; explaining how ladies receive our devoted at
tentions extoing their beauty and virtue, and, in
fact, giving him an idea that England was Para
disc and that the ladies were angels. described
the variety of colors; that instead OF all being
dark, some were exceedingly fair; that others had
red hair that we had many bright black eyes,
and some irresistible dark blue; and at the close OF
my descriptions, I believe the sheik and his party
felt disposed to emgrate Immediately to the chilly
shores of Great Britain; they asked CHOW far of
is YOUR country 2" ''Well," said the sheik, with
sigh ''that must be very charming country;
how could you possibly come away from all your
beautiful wives? True, you have brought one
with you; she is, of course. tho youngest and
most lovely; perhaps those you have left at home
are the old ones' l was obliged to explain that
we are contented with one wife, and that, even
were people disposed to marry two, or more, they
would be punished with imprisonment. This an
nouncement was received with g. general express
sion of indignation; the shek aud his party, who
4 few minutes ago were disposed to emigrate and
settle upon our shores, would now, at the most
have ventured upon n return ticket After some
murmurs Of disapprobation, there was decided
expression of disbelief in my last statement.
''Why," said the sheik, the fact is mplyimpossi-
BILE How can man be contnted with one wife I?
1t is ridiculous, absurd! What is he to do when
she becomes old? When SHE is young, If very
lovely, perhaps he might be satisfied with her. but
even the young must some day grow Old, and tn, the
beauty must fade. The man does not fade like
the woman; therefore as he remains the same for
many years. but she changes Ill few years, ma
ture has arranged that the man shall have young
wives to replace the old; does not the prophet
allow it Had not our forefathers many wives
and shall we have but one? Look at yourself.
Your wife is young land here the sheik in
dulged in compliments), but in ten years she will
not De the same as now; Will you not then let her
have a nice house all to herself, when she grows
old, while you take fresh Young wife?"
was obliged to explain to the sheik that, first,
our ladies never looked old; secondly, they inl-
proved with age; and thirdly, that We were sup
posed to love wives with greater ardor as they
advanced in years. This was received with an
ominious shake of the head, coupled with the ex-
clamation, "Mashallahl" repeated by the whole
party. This was the moment for few remarks on
polygamy; l continued, ''You men are selfish; you
expect from the women that which you will not
give in return, constancy and love;' if your wife
demanded multiplicity Of husbands, would it not
be impossible TO love her? how can she love you if
you insist upon other wives 7" "Ahl" he replied,
''our women arc different to yours, they would not
love any oody look at yH1T 1 own country, and her
heart is stronger than mans; she is afraid of
nothing, because YOU are with her; but our women
prefer to be far away from their husbands, and are
only happy when they have nothing whatever to do.
You don't understand our women; they are igno-
rant creatures, and when their youth is past are
good for nothing but work. You have explained
your customs; your women are adored by the men,
and YOU are satisfied with one wife, either young
or old; now will explain our customs. l have
four wives; as ono has become old, have replaced
her with young one; here they all are" The now
marked four strokes upon the sand with his stick)
This one carries water; that grinds the corn this
makes the bread; the last does not do much, as
she is the youngest, and my favorite; and il they
neglect their work, they get 4 taste OF this j
(shaIing q long and tolerably thick stick. "Now
that's the difference between our establishments
yours is well adapted for your country, and ours If
the best plan for our own.'