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PUBLIC GUEST-ROOM.

We have observed in the remarks that opened this chapter that hospitality is in the East a matter of legal enactment. In the Old Testament we find the following regulations: "The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Lev. xix. 34). "The Lord your God... loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt " (Deut. x. 17—19). In the New Testament :-" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. xiii. 2): "Use hospitality one to another, without grudging" (1 Pet. iv. 9).

The following passages show the manner in which this duty is performed by the community and private individuals in the present day :-" In every village there is a public room, or more than one, according to the size and ability of the place, devoted to the entertainment of strangers. Such a room is called a Menzil or Medâfeh- a guest-room. The guest lodges in the menzil, and his food is supplied by the families to whose circle it belongs. Sometimes they take turns in his entertainment; at other times it is left to those who offer themselves, or rather who claim the privilege. If the guest be a person of consequence, it is a matter of course that a sheep or goat, a lamb or kid, is killed for him. . . . When the guest is a common man as a muleteer, or the like, he is fed with rice, or whatever may be the ordinary food of the people themselves. The guest gives nothing as a remuneration when he leaves. To offer money would be taken as an insult, and to receive it would be a great disgrace. Such is universally the manner of entertainment in the villages throughout the provinces of Jerusalem and Hebron, as well as in other parts of Syria."-ROBINSON's Researches, ii. 19.

“All merchants and travellers are generally received

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RECEPTION OF GUESTS.

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at the houses of their friends when passing through the country. It may be difficult for British readers to understand how so many people can be entertained by a family; but the facility is owing to the eastern patriarchal mode of life. At this very day, there is attached to every residence the manzool, or guest-chamber,' which varies in size according to the circumstances of the family. It is used for the reception of strangers and visitors, who are welcomed on their arrival by the host; and coffee, sherbet, and pipes are served. If the guests arrive early in the morning, they partake of their host's breakfast, called futtoor, which is generally served about twelve o'clock, and requires no great extra expense or trouble. The host goes into the inner court of the house, and says to his wife, 'Mother of George,' or whatever may be the name of the eldest son, we have so many guests.' The lady, by ordering a few more eggs to be fried, an additional supply of milk, rice, a few pieces of cheese, and bread ad libitum, with a basket of grapes, which cost about twopence, provides the whole party with a comfortable meal. When the gentlemen have finished their repast, the servants sit down and take theirs, and they are thankful for bread and cheese and grapes. The servants of the guests attend on their masters at the host's table and divan. If the guests have no servants, and the host has none, the younger members of a family feel it an honour to wait upon their father's guests; indeed, the coffee is generally handed round by the sons. If the father asks for a cup of water, the son will fetch it, and wait standing till the father or the guests have finished drinking, when the son says 'Health!' Coffee is served frequently during the day, in little cups, set out upon a kind of round tray placed upon a small table, and as many sit round as can be accommodated. If the number of visitors be unusually large, a tablecloth is spread on the carpet, and the parties sit on the floor round it. If the guests arrive in the afternoon, the

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WASHING THE FEET OF GUESTS.

head of the family informs the lady, and a few more pounds of rice boiled in the broth will suffice to entertain them. With regard to the sleeping-apartments, generally three or four beds are laid down in the room, and the whole family are thus accommodated. In the morning the servant brings a jug or copper full of water, and a large metal basin, with soap, and a towel hanging over his shoulder; each gentleman washes, and all are ready. The public baths are great luxuries; and the stranger, by paying sixpence, can have all the comfort of shampooing. In the evening they meet again in the 'guest-chamber,' where the time is agreeably spent in conversation, and chess, and other similar games. The ladies take great delight in this kind of bustle at their husband's table: they are very fond of their domestic arrangements, and on such occasions exercise their culinary skill."- Voice from Lebanon, pp. 65—67.

Lastly, we have, in the very words of our blessed Lord, on more than one occasion, a description of the acts of genuine hospitality and a striking commendation of it, whenever it is based on the true principle of love to God and Christ :- "He turned to the woman and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much" (Luke vii. 44-47). And again :-"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungred and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me

GIVING WATER TO STRANGERS.

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in" (Matt. xxv. 34, 35). And again :- "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever

shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt. x. 41, 42).

The act of courtesy to which our Saviour here alludes is still to be witnessed in the East:

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"About five in the evening, the latter end of December, upon entering the town of Nazareth," says a modern traveller, we saw two women filling their pitchers with water, at a fountain, and above twelve others waiting for the same purpose, whom we desired to pour some water into a trough which stood hard by, that our horses might drink. We had scarce made the request before they instantly complied, and filled the trough, and the others waited with the greatest patience. Upon returning them thanks, one of them with very great modesty replied, 'We consider kindness and hospitality to strangers as an essential part of our duty.'"---See HARMER.

At the well of Cana, one of the women who had come there to draw water "lowered her pitcher into the well, and offered me water to drink."-RAE WILSON's Travels, ii. 4.

CONVERSATION.- MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.- - CHARACTER OF ORIENTAL MUSIC.-SINGING.-DANCING.-PRESENTS TO DANCERS.

THE amusements of the Orientals are generally of a most sedate character. The heat of the climate precludes them from enjoying athletic exercises, and also indisposes them to public entertainments. Conyersation, varied with tales, jests, and riddles, appears to have formed in all ages their chief resource, and is carried on not only privately, but publicly at the gates and the wells, and in the broad places of the towns. Music, singing, and dancing held a place as amusements of a special character, reserved for great occasions, and generally carried on by professional performers.

Music was cultivated in Western Asia at a very early period, the invention of it being ascribed in the Bible