re about any person that has recently
died, it is not the etiquette to mention the word "death,"--a
muselmen is supposed never to die;--the answer is _Ufah Ameruh_,
"his destiny is closed," or "he has completed his destiny." To
which the following answer is invariably given--_Allah e Erhammoh_,
"God be merciful to him." If a Jew's death is announced to any
muselman prince, fakeer, or alkaid, the expression is, _Maat hashak
asseedi_, "He is dead, Sir." _Ashak_ is an Arabic idiom, the exact
meaning of which cannot easily be conveyed in English; but it may
316 be assimilated to--"Pardon me for mentioning in your presence a
name contemptible or gross (as Jew)." Thus, for further elucidation
to the enquirer after the peculiarities of language, _Kie 'tkillem
ma el Kaba hashak asseedi_,--"He is talking with a prostitute--your
pardon, Sir, for the grossness of the expression."

If a man goes to the alkaid, to make a complaint against any one
for doing any indecent act, and in relating the circumstance he
omits the word _hashak asseedi_, the persons present will interrupt
him thus,--_Kul hashak b'adda_, "Say _hashak_ before you proceed."
Blood, dung, dirt, pimp, procuress, prostitute, traitor, &c. &c.
are words that (in correct company) are invariably followed by the
qualifying word _hashak_.

If a Christian is dead, the expression is _Mat el kaffer, or Mat el
karan, or Mat bel karan_, "The infidel is dead, the cuckold, or
the son of a cuckold is dead."

_Food_.

_Kuscasoe_ is, flour moistened with water, and granulated with the
hand to the size of partridge-shot. It is then put into a steamer
uncovered, under which fowls, or mutton, and vegetables, such as
onions, and turnips, are put to boil: when the steam is seen to
pass through the _kuscasoe_ it is taken off and shook in a bason,
to prevent the adhesion of the grains; and then put in the steamer
again, and steamed a second time. When it is taken off, some
317 butter, salt, pepper, and saffron, are mixed with it, and it is
served up in a large bowl. The top is garnished with the fowl or
mutton, and the onions and turnips. When the saffron has made it
the colour of straw, it has received the proper quota. This is,
when properly cooked, a very palatable and nutritious dish.

_Hassua_ is gruel boile