File:The story of Cairo (1906) (14781897492).jpg

Identifier: storyofcairo00stan (find matches)
Title: The story of Cairo
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Stanley Lane-Poole
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Publisher: J. M. Dent
Contributing Library: Gumberg Library, Duquesne University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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rn, but wouldmerely seek out and buy another copy. From thescholars point of view it seems impossible to improveupon this system. The members of this family weremore than enlightened book collectors and booklenders: they were strict observers of the austererule of the Malikis, tenacious of sound morals, andexclusive in their connexions. They married onlyamong their own large family circle, and theirdaughters never left the house except when theywere married or borne to their grave. It was well tobe cautious in days when the luxurious Rudwan wasencouraging amatory adventures, and when a party ofhigh-born dames, riding out to smell the air, asCairo ladies do now, at the proper season, were setupon near the Ezbekiya and stripped of their jewelsand every garment they had on. But the Sharaibyfolk, though strict, could unbend. When marriagefeasts were afoot, for example, they gave splendidentertainments, but so careful were they of theirdaughters that they waited till all the guests were292
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STREET NEAR BAB-EL-KHARK 293 Beys and Pashas safely engaged in prayer at the mosque of Ezbek ^opposite the house, and then hurried the bride off toher husbands abode under guard of a discreet bodyof matrons: after which there was plenty of gun-firing and torch waving, and all was merry. The family had the custom of appointing one oftheir number trustee of all their property and business.It was his duty to collect the rents, gather the harvestand crops, receive the profits of their ventures, andpay all expenses, including the familys dress andpocket-money. At the end of the year he drew uphis balance sheet and paid each member his share.This excellent plan was not likely to last for ever, andone is not surprised to learn that at last the youngermembers quarrelled over the accounts, and the joint-stock company broke up in disorder. This was nodoubt an exceptional family; but there were many ofthe kind, and there are some yet in Cairo, sterlinghonest folk, who walk in the old paths and g

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