luxury in their dress, and cautioned them also against exposing any part of their ornamental head-dresses in church!
I had a very interesting conversation a few days afterward with the utterer of this denunciation, and he explained to me his reason for this seemingly-strange interference about the mittens. He said that he considered it very important to check, if possible, the inroad of Frank taste among the Arab women; for, if they were to adopt the Frank dress, which requires many changes of apparel, and alters its fashions frequently, a trousseau would be so expensive that young men would not be able to marry, and early unions, which are so desirable in the East, would be prevented. The costly articles of a genuine Arab wardrobe last a lifetime, and are heirlooms, whereas the gala dresses of a Frank wardrobe must be renewed every year. This priest spoke feelingly; for he was an Arab, a husband, and the father of a large family of girls. It is quite clear that in matters of fashion and custom, the priests have very little influence. In towns where the Arabs have much intercourse with Europeans, they gradually adopt some of their manners, and imitate their costumes, by degrees abandoning their own.
On the 1st of October the victories in the Crimea were announced and celebrated in 'Akka. Five times during the day twenty-one guns were fired, and at night the town was illuminated, and bonfires were made on the hills which encircle the bay. In Hâifa a great portion of the lately acquired supply of ammunition was used in feux de joie, the minaret and the Consulates were lighted up, and we borrowed lamps, from the Jewish synagogue to deck the English flagstaff!
At night the place was very animated. We went out with Saleh Sekhali, and Mohammed Bek, a distinguished-looking, handsome Moslem, and two or three of his friends. Yûsef led the way, with "a lantern for our feet." It threw light now and then on such muddy pools, guttered
