Note 21 — Chapter III
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It perhaps may amuse some persons to know that parasites, or toadies, as they are now called, are as common in Syria as in other countries. Selim, wherever he went, was generally accompanied by a man, to whom, upon all occasions, he was accustomed to appeal for a confirmation of his assertions. This man accordingly would attest, with violent asseverations, anything, however hyperbolical or exaggerated, that Selim advanced.