they are very cruel, and treat as mere slaves, not allowing them even as much liberty as they grant to their negroes; they are considered by their husbands as beings without souls, and consequently they are not permitted to join in their devotions, and are seldom allowed to speak when men are conversing together. The women are very filthy in their persons, and are covered with vermin, not even cleansing themselves with sand; the harsh treatment which they continually receive from the men, has worn off that fine edge of delicacy, sensibility, and compassion, so natural to their sex, and transformed them into unfeeling and unpitying beings, so much so, that their conduct towards such of these unfortunate persons as fall into their hands, is extremely brutal, and betray the extinction of every humane and generous feeling.

The Arab is high spirited, brave, avaricious ⚫ and revengeful; and at the same time is in some measure hospitable and compassionate; he is proud of being able to maintain his independence, though on a dreary desert, and affects to hold in contempt all those who are so mean and degraded as to submit to any government but that of the Most High. He prides himself on being sole master of the little wealth he possesses, and is always ready to defend it at the expense of his life; he conceives himself to be the happiest of human beings, and the most learned also; he looks upon all other men to be extremely vile, ignorant, and beneath his notice; a