DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0047
DANCING.—DINNER. 31
Though fond of dancing, no Egyptian gentleman took a partner,
or performed a solo at a party: they did not consider it the
same becoming occupation as the Greeks; and when these
foreigners settled in the country, the Egyptians looked upon
this accomplishment much as the Romans did, and as most
Orientals now do, who suppose no one can dance unless he is
well paid for it. An illustration of this is the well-known story
of the Turk, who, when told that the French and other am-
bassadors danced at the ball of the British embassy, said he
was sure that, though the British ambassador might hire the
minor ministers for the occasion, he could never afford to pay
the French plenipotentiary for his performance.
The Jews were an exception to other Orientals : they danced
both in private, and on sacred occasions ; and the young ladies
of Jewish families in Syria still delight their friends with their
skill in the dance. Nor would the splendour of their dresses,
with the festoons of pearls, and of gold coins, diamonds, and
other jewels they wear at these festive meetings, have been
unworthy of the daughter of Herodias.
These were among the chief amusements of an Egyptian
party, and were introduced both before and after dinner, which
was served up in the middle of the day. Thus Joseph's
brethren dined with him "at noon." On their first arrival at
a party, lotus flowers and garlands for the head and neck were
presented to all the guests, and their heads were anointed with
sweet-scented ointments, in token of welcome. "VVine was also
brought them—at great houses, in a golden or a " silver cup ;"
and, when all the company were assembled, the master and
mistress of the house took their place at one end of the room
on a double chair. Men and women either sat together, or in
different parts of the room, as convenience or inclination
suggested—married people frequently occupying the same
Though fond of dancing, no Egyptian gentleman took a partner,
or performed a solo at a party: they did not consider it the
same becoming occupation as the Greeks; and when these
foreigners settled in the country, the Egyptians looked upon
this accomplishment much as the Romans did, and as most
Orientals now do, who suppose no one can dance unless he is
well paid for it. An illustration of this is the well-known story
of the Turk, who, when told that the French and other am-
bassadors danced at the ball of the British embassy, said he
was sure that, though the British ambassador might hire the
minor ministers for the occasion, he could never afford to pay
the French plenipotentiary for his performance.
The Jews were an exception to other Orientals : they danced
both in private, and on sacred occasions ; and the young ladies
of Jewish families in Syria still delight their friends with their
skill in the dance. Nor would the splendour of their dresses,
with the festoons of pearls, and of gold coins, diamonds, and
other jewels they wear at these festive meetings, have been
unworthy of the daughter of Herodias.
These were among the chief amusements of an Egyptian
party, and were introduced both before and after dinner, which
was served up in the middle of the day. Thus Joseph's
brethren dined with him "at noon." On their first arrival at
a party, lotus flowers and garlands for the head and neck were
presented to all the guests, and their heads were anointed with
sweet-scented ointments, in token of welcome. "VVine was also
brought them—at great houses, in a golden or a " silver cup ;"
and, when all the company were assembled, the master and
mistress of the house took their place at one end of the room
on a double chair. Men and women either sat together, or in
different parts of the room, as convenience or inclination
suggested—married people frequently occupying the same