Identifier: egyptpainteddesc00kell (find matches)
Title: Egypt painted and described
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: Kelly, Robert Talbot, 1861-1934
Subjects: Egypt -- Description and travel
Publisher: London, A. & C. Black
Contributing Library: New York University, Institute of Fine Arts Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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ach in turn, by voice and accompani-ment, were graphically represented. Hour after hourthis went on, until, after four hours of close attention,fatigue prevented my listening to its conclusion, andat midnight I retired. A wonderful epic, admirablyrendered, and occupying in all about eight hours in itsperformance, it formed a splendid theme for dramatistor composer. This position of tribal poet is hereditary. Eachmember of the tribe contributes to the bards support,and his sons are taught from infancy to perpetuatetheir songs and legends. Though their nomadic life militates against educa-tion, the Bedawin are very much alive to its advantages,and quickly glean scraps of knowledge from those theymeet with in their wanderings. I have been struckwith the intelligence with which they grasp the salientpoint of any matter under discussion, and their interestin countries and conditions of life quite foreign tothem. Moslems of a good type, they practise what is good 214 WHIRLWIND IN THE DESERT
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The Desert and the Bedawin in their religion, and would seem to avail themselvesbut little of its licence. Manly and courageous, andpossessed of many virtues, their hospitality is great andtheir friendship to be valued. Scornful of any whoaccept backsheesh, and abhorrent of a lie, theirlives are upright according to their lights ; while theirdignity and courtesy impresses with a sense of nobilityand strength. Worthy foes, but better friends, theyare of the number of Natures gentlemen, and he maywell be gratified of whom they say, He is Sahabemakbul. ^ ^ Sahabe makbul means an accepted friend, the word makbul beingapplied to coin of the realm, or any deed or document which bears the hall-markof official guarantee. 215 CHAPTER XIII RELIGION AND CHARACTER OF THE EGYPTIANS It is very difficult for a European to form any justestimate of the character of an Oriental, who is usuallyenveloped in a reserve difficult to penetrate; noris it easy for the Western mind to fully appreciatethe ideas

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