other article without uttering the name of God, for although in the present case the borrowed property had been returned, it might well happen that it should entirely disappear.
The story thus related, is capable of a still more serious interpretation according to traditions which I have heard in several forms and of which Curtiss gives the following variant: (Primitive Semitic Religion, ch. ix.) "It is well known that they (the Syrians) affirm that the jinn may have sexual intercourse with men and women. … It is said that women sometimes find that their best gowns, which they had carefully locked up in their bridal chests, have been worn and soiled by female spirits, during their confinement, because they did not utter the name of God when they were locking them up." (See also Baldensperger Pal. Expl. Fund Statement, 1899.)
Christians and Moslems have each their own formulae upon entering the bath. The Christians say:
smallah 'allēnā
hautna ballah
The Name of God be over us,
Our protection is in God,
sometimes adding:
es-salīb ibārīna
ujeḥmīna
The Cross cleanse us.
And protect us.
As they pass on to the various parts of the bath they exclaim:
ism es-salīb
bism el-‘adrā
el-chadr
Yā mār anṭōn
Yā mār girgis
Yā mār elyās
The name of the Cross!
Saint George!
In the name of the Virgin.
O Saint Anthony!
O Saint George!
O Saint Elias![1]
- ↑ Elijah and Saint George are the favourite saints of the Arabs. The latter, who killed the dragon at Beirut, is associated with a great number of shrines and is invoked on all occasions. Both saints are called El Chadr=the green one, and the stories of the two are considerably mixed.
