Note 192 — ABU KIR THE DYER AND ABU SIR THE BARBER.
Richard Francis Burton translation · Edition 2
The patient is usually lathered in a big basin of tinned brass, a “Mambrino’s helmet” with a break in the rim to fit the throat; but the poorer classes carry only a small cup with water instead of soap and water ignoring the Italian proverb, “Barba ben saponata mezza fatta” = well lathered is half shaved. A napkin fringed at either end is usually thrown over the Figaro’s shoulder and used to wipe the razor.