'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎678] (777/905)

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courtships.
[chap. xxv.
viduals; and journeys are undertaken or important actions
performed at fortunate moments, which are indicated by astro-
Necromaucy logers. A pretended necromancy also prevails in the country;
practised. ^ or are individuals, like the witch of Endor, who profess
to bring up within a magic circle any individual who may
be named. Arabia is the land of fiction and romance, and
tales of good and evil genii are still repeated by the travelling
bards, who to the great delight of a large circle of hearers,
sitting round the remains of a charcoal fire in the sheikh's
tent, by such tales, or by singing traditional songs, repay the
hospitality which they receive.
Divorces Polygamy is sanctioned by the laws of Arabia, though the
allowed. people rarely avail themselves of the privilege, one wife being
considered sufficient. But divorces being permitted without
a reason being assigned, a woman is often sent back to her
family on the slightest suspicion ; a she camel must, however,
be sent with her. The woman has also the power of divorce,
and if unhappy, she may return to her parents. She cannot
be reclaimed by her husband ; l but unless the latter should
pronounce the divorce (ent ta' leka), she is prohibited from
contracting another marriage.
Manner of The out-door occupations of females in the desert afford
application opportunities of something like an acquaintance being formed
for a wife. by parties before marriage, a circumstance which can scarcely
occur in a town ; but if a youth have not seen the lady whom
he wishes to have for a wife, he depends upon the report of a
female friend or relative ; this being satisfactory, he sends
two or three individuals to make a formal proposal to the
father. If the parties belong to any of the principal families,
and especially if they are of different tribes, the embassy is
made with great state, and is sometimes accompanied by the
youth himself; in which case the lady has a private oppor
tunity, by looking between the curtains, of judging for herself.
Having privately expressed her approbation to her parents, a
lengthened discussion between the families takes place concern
ing the dowry ; this being at length reduced within reasonable
1 Burckhardt's Bedawin and Wahhdbi, pp. 63, 64.