Book I Notes
1 Do good, and cast it upon the waters This is a common proverb in the Persian language.
2 Mahrū Shah Moon-faced, an epithet expressive of great beauty of countenance.
3 presented him with water to wash his hands A well-known Mahomedan custom previous to eating.
4 a painter... from behind a curtain In Mahommedan countries, painters draw ladies’ portraits from behind a curtain or thin veil, as it would be considered a breach of delicacy in a female to show her face to a stranger.
5 stand on the roof Roofs in the East are flat.
6 delineated every line and mole Moles are considered as a rare beauty, and where the face has them not naturally, they are often supplied by art.
[7] Munīr Shamī Shamī, the Syrian. The name Sham is applied to the country around Damascus.
8 a thing laid by, will be found useful... “Keep a thing by you seven years and you will find use for it.”—English or Scotch proverb.
9 Părīrū Angel-faced, or fairy-faced.