'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.' [‎698] (797/905)

698
HOSPITALITY OF THE ARABS. [CHAP. XXV.
vindictive, and avaricious ; guilty often of adding murder to
robbery, and of perpetuating a feud indefinitely, however
trifling may have been its cause.
Robbery prac- The Bedawin despises agriculture, and every kind of seden-
Bedawlns^ 6 tary occupation; and, in the exercise of his pretended right
to levy a tax on passing goods, he waylays the caravans, for
the purpose of plundering them, or of extorting money from
travellers. Even the sacred rights of hospitality have been
violated by him when the property of his guest has excited
his cupidity. Plunder and revenge are, in fact, the governing
principles of the Bedawm, and to these tend alike his habits
and education ; even the life of the offender does not always
suffice to atone for an injury, the members of his family, or
the leading members of his tribe, being often made to suffer
with him.
Moderation Amongst the better qualities of the Arab, one of the first
raric^of the places belongs to hospitality, which, without hesitation, is
Arabs - extended to every acquaintance, and, during a truce, even to
an enemy. The individual in whose favour this virtue is
exercised becomes part of the family of his host, and the
latter will often defend his life at the expense of his own.
The Arab is, in general, justly entitled to the character of
being both faithful and generous; and often in entertain
ments and deeds of beneficence, he practises the most profuse
liberality. His knowledge of mankind is derived merely from
the observations which he is able to make on the persons
with whom he happens to be brought in contact. He is
moderate in his diet, and he seldom displays the unseemly
workings of anger, although he is not by any means deficient
in feeling. A few kind words go very far toward appeasing
his anger; for he is in the main kind-hearted, willing to
be useful in his way, and, above all, remarkable for his
extraordinary patience and resignation under every kind of
trial and disappointment. He is besides altogether content
with his lot in life; and, even when poor, he readily
slaughters a kid on the arrival of a stranger at his tent. 1
1 Burckhardt's Bedawin and Wahhabi, p. 141.