MANNERS, CUSTOMS, &c., OF THE EAST.

ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS.

WITHIN the last few years, the extension of commercial pursuits, and the researches of industrious travellers, have developed the history, the manners and customs, and the natural history, both ancient and modern, of Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and Judea, to an extent hitherto unparalleled; and the attention of the general reader is very frequently called to those countries of the East, whose very existence has seemed almost fabulous. Ever since the French army penetrated into Egypt, and the great work concerning the history and antiquities of that country was published by the Emperor Napoleon, European travellers and scholars have made that' and the adjoining countries the theatre of their studies and researches; and yet, till within ten years past, very little information, interesting to the general reader, has been given to the public in a form that put it within the reach of those of humble station to procure. But now, books of travels, histories, natural histories, and scientific works, all in cheap form, are frequently issuing from the teeming press, and we are becoming quite familiar with the land of the Pharaohs, the wildernesses of Arabia, and the interesting country of Palestine. The interest awakened in the public, by lectures and published records of travel, has rendered all knowledge concerning the orientals very acceptable. Under the impression that such is the case, and believing that we shall render our readers an acceptable service by dispensing such information, we propose to give descriptions of the manners, costumes, and customs, of the people of the East, illustrated with numerous engravings. We commence with the personal dress and ornaments of the Egyptians.

Our engraving No. 1 represents a modern Egyptian female, adorned with a head ornament, called sufa. This is sometimes a beautiful network, hanging down upon the back, and filled with jewels of various kinds. But the manner in which this ornament is generally made, is by dividing the hair into a number of braids or tresses, and attaching to each tress three silken threads. All of these threads have small gold ornaments or jewels appended to them, and usually terminate with a small gold coin. At a little distance it has a mailed or reticulated appearance, as is shown in the engraving, and gives a most brilliant effect. Mr. Lane, a late traveller, remarks: "The sufa appears to me the prettiest as well as the most singular of the ornaments worn by Egyptian ladies. The glittering of the burck, and their clinking together as the wearer walks, have a peculiar, lively effect." A similar ornament was worn by Egyptian females in the time of Isaiah, who called them cauls. See Isaiah iii. 18.

The eastern ladies wear various kinds of veils, some intended for walking in the open air, and others to be worn within doors.