"'■:?«!i 
 
 h\ e X
 
 PICTURE of the BARBARY STATES; 
 
 THEIR GOVERNMENT, LAWS, RELIGION, 
 
 AND NATURa^L PRODUCTIONS ; 
 
 And containing 
 
 la %Utch of t^eic bariou? KeDolution^, 
 
 A Description of the Domestic Manners and Customs of the 
 
 MOORS, ARABS, AND TURKS ; 
 
 An Account of the four great Capitals of 
 
 ALGIERS, TRIPOLI, TUNIS, AND MOROCCO, 
 
 and 
 
 A Narrative of the various Attacks upon Algiers, by the 
 
 European States; 
 
 Including a faithful Detail of the late 
 
 GLORIOUS VICTORY OF LOJtD EXMOUTh. 
 
 By G. a. JACKSON, Esq. 
 
 " A Corjair's name-linked wUh a thousand crimes."— Bi"o«- 
 
 JLonDon : 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY K. EDWARDS, 
 Crane Court, Fleet Street.
 
 Annex 
 
 9il)bertisement* 
 
 1 HE signal chastisement that has been inflicted on the Al- 
 gerine Pirates, by the irresistible thunder of the British Navy, 
 must be truly grateful to the feelings of Englishmen. Espe- 
 cially, when we recollect that Charles V. in the plenitude of 
 his power, failed in an expedition against the city of Algiers ; — 
 that Louis XIV. was employed, for several years, in punishing 
 the insolence, and reducing the power of these unprincipled 
 Corsairs ; — and that no other state ever extorted from them a 
 Covenantybr the perpetual abolition of Christian Slavery. 
 This is the peculiar trophy of England, and will be long re- 
 membered to her honour. 
 
 Of the Barhary States, which have insulted the flag of every 
 nation, that could not either purchase or command their forbear- 
 ance, — many curious and interesting descriptions are to be 
 found in the volumes of various enlightened Travellers, both an- 
 cient and modern. From these, and other authentic sources, 
 we shall be enabled to lay before our readers a comprehensive 
 Survey of the Government ^ Laws^ and Religion of Barbary — 
 the natural productions of this highly-favoured region — the do- 
 mestic manners and customs of its inhabitants, the Moors, 
 Arabs, and Turks — their mode of warfare — manner of treating 
 their Christian Slaves (with instances of horrid cruelties, &c.) 
 —and a faithful description of the four great capitals of Algiers, 
 Tripoli, Tunis, and Morocco. 
 
 2067100
 
 iv APVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The various Revolutions of the Barbary States,, — well as 
 an account of the different attacks made upon them by the 
 European Powers — from the first rise of their piratical Navy, 
 to their last humiliating defeat by British Arms, will be given 
 at length ; — including several ancient and modern Treaties 
 between this Country and Algiers, and some highly interesting 
 circumstances and anecdotes relative to the glorious Victory 
 of Lord Exmouth, not hitherto collected together. 
 
 In the present work also, will be found many affecting Nar- 
 ratives of Christians, who were captured and made slaves by the 
 Algerine Pirates ; — but one, in particular, of a British Seaman, 
 who was detained fifteen years a Prisoner at Algiers— con- 
 taining a singularly faithful and interesting sketch of the man- 
 ners and habits of the Algerines, — the way in which he was 
 treated by them — and the numerous cruelties which he suflTered 
 during his long captivity — his return to England, and reception 
 there. This account is written by himself, and its authenticity 
 is undoubted. 
 
 The whole will comprise a complete History oj" the Pirates of 
 the African Continent, a subject at all times replete with infor- 
 mation, and peculiarly interesting at the present moment. 
 
 It will be embellished with numerous coloured Engravings 
 illustrative of the costume and manners of the Moors, Arabs, 
 and Turks, with an accurate Map, &c. &c.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. I. ^^' 
 
 Oeographical Description of Bar bar y, — Kingdoms of 
 Alffiers— ■Tripoli— Turns— Morocco and Fez — with 
 a full account of each capital, - _ j 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Account of the inhabitants of Barhanj — Classes of 
 Berrebbers and Arabs, including Moors, Turks, 
 Jews:, Sfc.-— Their peculiar Manners, Customs, Reli- 
 gion, Sfc. — Mode of Travelling in Barbary, 1 15 
 
 CHAP. HI. 
 Revolutions of the Barbary States, - - 204 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 Insolence and extortion of the Algerines — JVarrative 
 of the Insurrection and Massacre at Bona — British 
 expedition against Algiers in 1SJG_, under the com- 
 mand of Lord Exmouth, - , 286 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Recent State of Christian Slavery at Algiers and the 
 other Barbary States — Employment of the Cap- 
 tives, their hard fare and cruel treatment^ - 335 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Narrative of a British Seaman who teas detained 
 fifteen years a prisoner by the Algerines — the way 
 in which he teas treated by them — and the numerous 
 cruellies u'h'tch he suffered during his long capti- 
 vity — his return to England and reception there—* 
 Written by himself - _ „ ^4 
 
 b
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 No. i. 
 
 Ij€tterqf3TuleyZidan,Kinff of MoroecOf to Charles 
 
 I. of En ff land, - - - 309 
 
 No. II. 
 
 Articles of Peace and Commerce beticeen the Most 
 Hif/h and .Most Renowned Prince Georr/e, by th« 
 Grace of God King of Great Britain, France, and 
 Ireland, Defender of the Faith, S^c. avd the High 
 and G/orions, Mighty and Right Noble Prince Al- 
 buniaser Mvley Ishn ael, Ben Muley Xeriph, Ben 
 Mil ley Ally, King and Emperor oj the Kingdoms 
 of Fez and Morocco, Taffilet, Suz, and all the Al- 
 garhe and its territories in Africa, S^c. concluded^ 
 agreed and adjusted by the Honourable Charles 
 Steivart, Esipiire, on the Behalf of His Britannie 
 Majesty, and by His Excellency Basha Hamet 
 Ben Ally Ben Abdullah, and His Imperial Majes- 
 ty's Treasurer, Mr. Moses Ben Hattar, a Jew, on 
 the Behalf of the said King of Fez and Morocco, 401 
 
 No. III. 
 Articles of Peace and Commerce between His Most 
 Sacred Majesty King George, 6fC. and the Most 
 Excellent Lords Hah Basha, Hassan Ben Hall Bey 
 Cara Mnstaph Hey, the aga, and the donwan of the 
 Noble City of Tunis, and the whole body of militia 
 of the said kingdom, renewed and concluded hi the 
 year of Christ, 171(i, by JohnlBakeVj Esq. Vice-Ad- 
 mirali - - - -, 40t
 
 JLIST OF PLATES, AND DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING 
 
 THEM. . 
 
 Map ofBarbary, to Fate Title, 
 Dey of AlgierSi 
 Algiers, 
 Arab Soldier, 
 
 Page 9 
 118 
 
 Moor, 
 
 m. 
 
 132 
 
 Woman of Quality, 
 Woman, 
 
 ' 
 
 137 
 
 158 
 
 Mvfti, 
 
 Captain, 
 
 Christians in Slavery, - 
 
 "- 
 
 169 
 204 
 335
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
 s. 
 
 \ 
 
 T 
 A
 
 ALGIERS : 
 
 OR, A COMPLETE 
 
 Pcture of tf)e BSarliatp States* 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Geographical Description of Barbary — Kingdoms of 
 Algiers — Tripoli — Tunis — Morocco and Fez — 
 with a full Account of each Capital, 
 
 JtfARBARY, in a general view, comprehends the 
 couniries of Morocco and Fez, which form a distinct 
 and separate empire, and the states of Algiers, Tu- 
 nis, Tripuli, and Barca, all of which seem to con- 
 stitute one great political confederacy, though in- 
 dependent of each other in their internal policy and 
 government. Barbary, which was known to the 
 ancients under the denomination of Mauritania, Nu- 
 midia, Africa Proper, and Lybia, is said to have 
 received its present appellation from the word Bar, 
 which signifies a desert ; and hence, those who 
 were its first inhabitants, assumed to themselves the 
 name of Barbares, or Berberes, which they still re- 
 tain. This vast tract of territory commences on the 
 west at Mount Atlas, and extends as far as Alexan- 
 dria in Egypt, which is its eastern boundary ; being 
 1 B
 
 2 PICTURE OF BARBARV, 
 
 nearly two thousand miles from east to west, and, 
 at its greatest breadth, seven hundred and fifty from 
 north to south. The coasts are well watered by se- 
 veral copious streams, and the soil is extremely fer- 
 tile in corn and pastures. The advantageous situa- 
 tion of Barbary induced the Carthaginians, Romans, 
 Greeks, Saracens, Vandals, Arabs, and Turks, to 
 make themselves successively masters of it, the last 
 of whom are still in possession of this country, ex- 
 cept a few settlements erected on the coast by some 
 European nations. 
 
 The climate is temperate, and equally removed 
 from the extremes of heat and cold ; for though snow 
 falls plentifully in winter, it seldom continues long 
 on the ground, except upon Mount Atlas, where it 
 is constantly seen during the whole year. The win- 
 ter season commences about the middle of October, 
 towards the end of which the rains set in, that gene- 
 rally continue till thebeginningof February ; but the 
 cold is not very severe. During the spring, which 
 commences about the end of February, the weather 
 is for the mostjpart serene and pleasant, except in 
 the month of May, when gentle refreshing showers, 
 assisted by the temperate heat of the sun, bring the 
 fruits of the earth to a gradual but early maturity ; 
 figs and cherries becoming ripe in May, and grapes 
 by the end of September. The summer is from 
 the beginning of June to the end of August, during 
 Avhich period the heats are excessive and inimical 
 to health ; and the atmosphere becomes so hot, 
 as to occasion malignant and pestilential diseases, 
 which, as the Mahometans think it impious to 
 attempt their cure, frequently carry off great 
 numbers of people. A sensible diminution of heat
 
 Geographical Description. 3 
 
 begins to be felt about the bei^inning of September, 
 when the autumn commences, which is a pleasant 
 and delightful season. 
 
 This tract of territory is inhabited by three diffe- 
 rent classes of people ; the original Moors, the Arabs, 
 and the descendants of the Turks, (who possessed 
 themselves of some of the finest provinces, and ren- 
 dered Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, tributary,) be- 
 sides a variety of nations, and renegadoes of every 
 christian persuasion, that have bartered their faith 
 for their freedom. 
 
 Provisions of all kinds are extremely cheap. All 
 the European fruits, and many indigenous ones, are 
 found here, except the hazel-nut, the filbert, the 
 gooseberry, and the currant. In horticulture, how- 
 ever, they make no particular figure. Their gar- 
 dens are laid out without taste, and present a' med- 
 ley of productions without method or design. 
 
 Lead and iron are the only native metals dis- 
 covered here. The latter is white and good, though 
 not very abundant. It is found in the mountainous 
 district of Bonjeiah, and brought to Algiers in small 
 bars. 
 
 In this place it may not be amiss to relate the po- 
 pular story, in this country, of the plough-shares of 
 Mahomet, Bey of Tunis. This prince had the mis- 
 fortune to be dethroned by his subjects ; but having 
 the reputation of being acquainted with the philoso- 
 pher's stone, Ibrahim Hojiah, Dey of Algiers, en- 
 gaged to reinstate him in his dignity, on condition of 
 his being let into the secret. The bargain was quick- 
 ly concluded, and Mahomet was restored ; when, to 
 fulfil his promise, he sent the Dey of Algiers, with 
 great pomp and ceremony, a number of mattocks
 
 4 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 and plough-shares. They emblematically instructed 
 him that the real wealth of nations must arise from a 
 diligent attendance on agriculture and rnral labour; 
 and that the only philosojjher's stone lie knew was 
 the art of converting a plentiful crop into jiold. 
 
 Camels and dromedaries, asses, mules, and an 
 animal called the Kumrah, generated between an ass 
 and a cow, are the usual beasts of burden in this 
 country. Horses have much degenerated of late 
 years; and, perhaps, they are less adapted for the 
 climate than the animals we have enumerated. 
 
 The black cattle are small, slender, and afford 
 but little milk. The late Dey of Algiers and his cour- 
 tiers were astonished, when Admiral Cavendish, 
 someyearsago then on the coast, told him that he had 
 a Hampshire cow onboard his ship, that gaveagallon 
 of milk daily, which is as much as half a dozen of the 
 best Barbary cows will yield in that period. 
 
 The goats and sheep, however, assist to supply 
 the dairies ; the cheese being chiefly made of their 
 milk. Instead of rennet, they use, in summer, the 
 flowers of the great-headed thistle, or wild artichoke, 
 to turn the milk. Their cheeses are usually of the 
 shape and size of a penny loaf. Their butter is nei- 
 ther of such a consistence nor so well flavoured as 
 ours. It is made by putting the cream into a goat's 
 skin, which, being suspended from one side of the 
 tent to the other, and tossed to and fro in one uniform 
 direction, soon occasions the separation of the but- 
 ter from the milk. ;: 
 
 The sheep here are of two varieties, one of them, 
 common all over the Levant, as well as in Barbary, 
 1s distinguished by having a large broad tail, consist- 
 ing of hard solid fat, not inferior to marrow. Those
 
 Natural Productions. 5 
 
 of the other variety are nearly as tall as our fallow 
 deer, and, excepting the confonnation of the head, 
 are not very different in shape. A gelding among 
 the horses, an ox among the horned cattle, or a we- 
 ther among the sheep, is rarely known in this coun- 
 try. Tlie Mahometans think it an act of great cru- 
 elty to castrate any but their ovvn species ; however, 
 they have a method of destroying the generative 
 power of the males of animals, not wanted for the 
 preservation of the species, which is performed by 
 squeezing their testicles. 
 
 Several of the Arabian tribes, that can only bring 
 three or four hundred horse into the field, have more 
 than as many thousand camels, and triple again that 
 number of black cattle and sheep. They seldom 
 kill any of their flocks, but rather sell them ; sub- 
 sisting chiefly on their milk and butter, or on such 
 commo 'ities as they purchase with the produce of 
 their superfluous stock. Hence the number of cat- 
 tle is continually increasing, notwithstanding the 
 consumption of them in the towns. 
 
 Of cattle, not naturally tame, is a species of wild 
 cow, nearly of the size and colour of red deer. The 
 young calves of this breed, however, will quickly 
 grow tame, and herd with other cattle. The lerwee 
 is a species of goat, so excessively timorous, that, 
 when pursued, it will precipitate itself down rocks 
 and precipices. It is of the size of a heifer, but the 
 body is more rounded, and it has a tuft of shaggy 
 hair on the knees and neck. The horns, which are 
 above a foot long, are twisted and turned back. 
 There are also several species of the antelope and 
 deer kind. 
 
 Among the ravenous beasts, the lion and panther
 
 6 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 hold the first rank ; for the tiger is not a native of 
 this part of Barbary. Several ridiculous stories are 
 told of the lion; particularly that, on calling him 
 some opprobrious names, he will immediately fly ; 
 and that women may safely be familiar with him. 
 These tales do not merit the least regard. When 
 the lion is hungry, scarcely the multiplied precau- 
 tions of fires, dogs, and guards, can save the flocks 
 from his ravages. Outbraving all terrors, he will 
 sometimes leap into the midst of the circle inclosed 
 by the tents, and carry off a sheep or a goat. How- 
 ever, when the Arabs catch him, they make a hear- 
 ty meal on his flesh, which is esteemed as good as 
 yeal. 
 
 The dubbah is likewise a very fierce animal. It 
 is of the size of a wolf, but has a flatter body. Its 
 neck is so stiff', that on looking behind, or snatching: 
 obliquely at any object, it is obliged to turn its 
 whole body. Its colour is a reddish buff' or dun, 
 with some transverse streaks of brown. The mane 
 is nearly a span long ; and the feet, which are armed 
 with claws, serve to dig up the roots of plants, and 
 sometimes the graves of the dead. The faadh is 
 spotted like a leopard ; but the skin is coarser and 
 of a deeper colour, and the animal is reckoned less 
 fierce. This creature is supposed, by the Arabs, to 
 be generated between a lion and a female leopard. 
 There are also two other animals marked like the 
 leopard ; but their spots are darker, and their fur 
 somewhat longer and softer. 
 
 The jackal, and an animal called the black-eared 
 cat, are both supposed to find out prey for the lion, 
 and are therefore called the lion's providers ; though 
 it is much to be doubted, whether there be any
 
 Nattiral Productions. "7 
 
 friendly correspondence between them. In the 
 night, indeed, these and other animals are prowling* 
 in search of prey, and in the morning they have fre- 
 quently been seen gnawing such carcases as the lion 
 is supposed to have fed on before. This, and the 
 promiscuous noise which the jackal is often heard to 
 make with the lion, are the only circumstances which 
 tend to favour the idea of their sociability. The 
 lion is believed to prefer the flesh of the wild boar ; 
 but tliat creature sometimes defends itself with such 
 resolution, that the dead carcases of both have been 
 found lying together. 
 
 Barhary contains likewise bears, apes, hares, rab- 
 bits, ferrets, weasels, porcupines, foxes, cameleons, 
 and several species of lizards. Of the serpent kind, 
 the most remarkable is the thaibanne, some of which 
 are said to be three or four yards long; and purses 
 have been made of their skins, which were four 
 inches at least in diameter. The zurreike, which, 
 as well as the former, is a native of the desert, is 
 about fifteen inches long, very slender, and capable 
 of darting along with great swiftness. The most 
 malignant, however, of this tribe is the lefTah, which 
 answers the description of the burning dipsas of the 
 ancients, and is seldom above a foot long. 
 
 Among the feathered tribes are eagles, hawks, the 
 crow of the desert, and the shagarag. The latter is 
 of the size and shape of the jay ; the body is brown- 
 ish ; the head, neck, and belly, are of a light green ; 
 and the wings and tail are barred with deep blue. 
 The houbaara is as large as a capon ; of a light dun 
 colour, marked all over with little streaks of brown. 
 The wings are black, with a white spot in the mid- 
 dle: and the feathers of the neck are remarkably 
 
 7 *
 
 8 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 long, aud capable of being erected, when the bird is 
 irritated or attacked. 
 
 The rhaad is of two species. The smaller is of the 
 size of an ordinary pullet; but the larger differs not 
 only in niagnitnde, but also in having a black head, 
 •with a tuft of dark blue feathers immediately below 
 it. The belly of both is white ; the back and wings 
 of a buff colour, spotted with brown ; but the tail 
 is lighter, and marked with black transverse streaks. 
 
 The kitawiah frequents the most sterile spots, as 
 the rliaad does the best cultivated. It resembles a 
 dove in shape and size, aud has short feathered feet. 
 The body is of a livid hue, spotted with black; and 
 on the throat is the figure of a crescent, of a beautiful 
 yellow. The tip of each tail-feather is spotted with 
 white, and the middle one is long and pointed. The 
 flesh, both of this bird and the rhaad, is agreeably 
 flavoured, and easy of digestion. 
 
 Partridges, quails, woodcocks, and several other 
 kinds of wild fowl, fit for the table, are plentiful 
 enough. Among the most singular tenants of the 
 groves is the green thrush, which, in vivid beauty of 
 plumage, is not inferior to any. His head, neck, 
 and back, are of a light green; the breast white and 
 spotted ; the wings of a lark colour. This bird is 
 migratory, and only seen herein the summer months. 
 The capsa sparrow is of a lark colour ; but the breast 
 is somewhat lighter, and shines with a varying 
 lustre, This bird, which is about the size of the 
 common house-sparrow, is remarkable for the sweet- 
 ness of its note, which infinitely exceeds that of the 
 canary bird or the nightingale ; but it is of such a 
 delicate nature, that it cannot long exist in adifferent 
 climate.
 
 Kmgdovi of Algiers. 9 
 
 The insects are too numerous to particularize. 
 One of the most beautiful is a butterfly, the expan- 
 sion of whose wings is nearly four inches, and is all 
 over elegantly streaked with tnnrrey and yellow, ex- 
 cept the edges of the lower wings, which being in- 
 dented and ending in a narrow strip, or lappet, of an 
 inch long, are finely fringed with yellow, and near 
 the tail is a carnation-coloured spot. 
 
 KINGDOM OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Algiers was, soon after its conquest by the Arabs, 
 divided into four principal provinces ; and is bound- 
 ed on the north by the Mediterranean ; on the east by 
 the river Zaine, which separates it from Tunis ; on 
 the South by the desert of Zaara ; and on the west by 
 the mountains of Trara, which part it from Morocco. 
 Its extreme length is computed at four hundred and 
 sixty, and its average breadth at about eighty miles, 
 Algiers enjoys one of the happiest climates ; and the 
 ground is covered with a perpetual verdure. 
 
 The inhabitants who live on the sea-coast, are a 
 strange mixture of various nations ; but are chiefly 
 the descendants of the Moors that were expelled out 
 of Spain. Turks, Arabs, and Jews are likewise 
 pretty numerous, as well as European slaves ; and 
 there are also, some few Christians, who remain free, 
 and trade without molestation. 
 
 The bulk of the inhabitants are Moors, who are 
 divided into two classes ; those who apply them- 
 selves to trade and agriculture, and those who adopt 
 1 c
 
 10 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 a wandering life, without either lands or patrimony. 
 The first is by far the most respectable, and they 
 sometimes amass great riches. The latter nre sub- 
 divided into a vast number of tribes, distinguished 
 by their cliiefs or by the place of their residence. 
 Each tribe forms a kind of itinerant village, or, as 
 they term it, an adowar ; every one^of them pays 
 the dey a certain tax proportioned to the number of 
 its families, and for which the chief, who represents 
 the whole community, is responsible. 
 
 Though Algiers retains the title of kingdom, its 
 government is entirely republican, being in the hands 
 of the militia. Formerly, the grand seignior sent 
 thither pachas, who possessed all the authority of 
 viceroys ; but some of them impoverishing the peo- 
 ple by exorbitant taxes, and refusing to pay the 
 janissaries employed to keep the country in a state 
 of dependence on Constantinople, they were put to 
 death, and the office was abolished. 
 
 The civil government of Algiers is now conducted 
 by the dey, and a council composed of thirty 
 bashaws ; at which also, on particular occasions, the 
 great ecclesiastical officers are permitted to vote. 
 The d«ys are elected out of the militia ; and, as the 
 meanest person among them has the same right to 
 the sovereignty as the highest, every common soldier 
 may be considered as a candidate for the throne. 
 This singular privilege, however, which the military 
 in conunon possess, tends to render the situation of 
 the deys neither safe nor pleasant; each aspiring 
 ruffian being ready to sheath his scymitar in the 
 breast of his sovereign. Every person has a right 
 to vote in the election of a dey ; and, as there is ge-
 
 Civil Government, 11 
 
 nerally a variety of candidates, tumults are very fre- 
 quent, and the choice is often decided by the sword. 
 After the dey is elected he is saluted by the words 
 Jlla Sarek ! or, God bless you ! As soon as the 
 grand seignior is informed of the choice that has been 
 made, he sends the newly appointed dey a patent to 
 act as viceroy ; but when it arrives it is sometimes 
 useless, the person for whom it was intended l)eing 
 no longer in existence. The deys seldom die pos- 
 •essed of the dignity; being generally assassinated, 
 orobliged to abdicate the sovereignty, or to fly in 
 order to preserve their lives. 
 
 Next in dignity to the dey is the aga, or general 
 of the janissaries. This person is one of the oldest 
 officers in the army, and retains his place only two 
 months, when he is succeeded by the next in se- 
 niority. The keys of the metropolis are deposited 
 in the hands of the acting aga, who issues all the 
 military orders. Next to him is the secretary of 
 state, who registers all the public acts ; and then 
 the counsellors to the number of thirty, of whom the 
 divan is composed. When they assemble, they all 
 sit ; except the inferior members invited thither, who 
 are generally old soldiers, officers, veterans, and the 
 governors of the three great provinces. 
 
 The manner in which business is transacted in 
 this council, is extremely curious and singular. The 
 aga as president proposes the subject of delibera- 
 tion ; which is immediately repeated with a loud 
 Toiceby the chiah-bashaws, and from them re-echoed 
 by four inferior officers : after which every member 
 of the divan repeats it to his next neighbour, using 
 at the same time strange contortions and gesticula-
 
 12 PICTURE OF BARRARY. 
 
 tions. When the matter is not approved, a hideous^ 
 noise is heard from the opposition, which shews the 
 aga to which side the majority inclines ; and he 
 thereupon proclaims the decision of the question. 
 To prevent opposition, however, to his measures, 
 the dey carefully suppresses all those whom he sus- 
 pects of disaffection, and in general only convenes 
 his most submissive and abject dependents. 
 
 A barbarous piece of policy has been commonly 
 adopted after every fresh election of a dey ; the suc- 
 cessful candidate ordering every member of the divan 
 who opposed him to be strangled, and lilling up the 
 vacancies with the minions of his pleasure. 
 
 In all records of state, the Turkish language is 
 used ; that of the natives is a mixture of Arabic, 
 Moorish, and their ancient tongue, supposed to be 
 the Phcenician. In their commerce with other na- 
 tions, however, the lingua Franca, a jargon compos- 
 ed of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French, is 
 in general use, and is employed throughout all the 
 Levant. The Algerines, who possess the strongest 
 naval force of any nation on the Barbary coast, have 
 seldom more than twenty ships of war. 
 
 The grand seignior receives no other revenue from 
 the dey, than a stipulated number of handsome 
 youths, and some other annual presents. Many of 
 the punishments inflicted in this country are ex- 
 tremely barbarous; and the slightest, which is the 
 bastinado, though not considered as capital, is fre- 
 quently attended with death. They expiate mur- 
 der by impalement; or by suspending the criminal 
 by the neck from the battlements of the city ; or by 
 extending him on hooks, where the wretched victim 
 
 cS
 
 Ignorance of the Turks and Moors. 13 
 
 of justice writhes in inexpressible agonies, often for 
 more than a day, before he expires. If a Moor be 
 convicted of robbery, his right hand is cut off; which 
 is suspended from his neck, wliile he rides round the 
 city on an ass, with his face towards 'he tail. If 
 any Jew or Christian be convicted of ridiculing IMa- 
 homet or his religion, he must immediately adopt 
 his doctrines, or suffer the most exquisite tortures 
 that barbarity can invent. Sawing asutider is still 
 retained among those final punishments inflicted on 
 persons who subject themselves to the resentment 
 of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction. 
 
 Scarcely a vestige remains of the various arts and 
 sciences which once flourished in this country. The 
 natives, however, are by no means deficient in men- 
 tal abilities, and were they not shackled by their go- 
 vernment and religion, it is probable that their im- 
 provements would equal those of Europeans. The 
 Moors and Turks send their sons at an early period 
 to school ; but their masters can only teach them a 
 little writing, which is performed with chalk on a 
 board ; and if they can read fluently in the Koran, 
 they are supposed to have attained an uncommon 
 degree of proficiency. 
 
 Owing to their predestinarian principles, the stu- 
 dy of medicine is much neglected ; and nature is 
 suffered to contend with the morbific affections of 
 the patient, the principal remedies being charms and 
 incantatious. 
 
 Nothing can be so insolent as the militia, or janis- 
 saries, who have engrossed to themselves the whole 
 power and management of the kingdom ; styling 
 themselves effendi, or nobles, though most of them 
 are men of the lowest extraction and the meanest
 
 14 PICTUliX OF BARBARY. 
 
 characters. If one of these Turkish soldiers be met 
 in the streets, care is always taken to make way for 
 him, otherwise he will make way for himself. But 
 thouo-h the Turks are so proud and han^hfy, they 
 are the most avaricious people in the woild ; aud 
 will not scruple to perform the most abject and ser- 
 vile offices, to obtain money. It is, therefore, a 
 common proverb at Algiers, "If you give a Turk 
 money with one hand, he will suffer you to pluck 
 out his eyes w ith the other. " 
 
 The deys, however, after they have been exalted 
 to their dignity, generally disdain the meanness of 
 wishing to disguise their humble extraction ; on the 
 contrary, one of them, disputing with the deputy- 
 consul of a neighbouring state, is said to have thus 
 frankly acknowledged his origin : " My mother sold 
 sheep's trotters, and my father neat's tongues ; but 
 they would have been ashamed to have exposed to 
 sale so worthless a tongue as thine." 
 
 Notwithstanding the piratical disposition of the 
 Algerines, and the contempt in which they hold the 
 opponents of Mahomet, there are several free Chriss- 
 tians and Jews in this kingdom, who follow their 
 respective employments without molestation. A 
 few Spaniards, however, who have taken up their 
 residence in Algiers, are the principal conductor* 
 of the European trade. The natives manufacture 
 carpets not much inferior to those of Turkey, vel- 
 vet, tafieties, and other wrought silks, together with 
 linen cloth, of which Susa produces the finest. 
 
 These several articles are chiefly for home eon- 
 sumption ; and few commodities are exported, be- 
 sides ostrich feathers, wax, hides, wool, copper, 
 and dates.
 
 Governmmts of Algiers. 1^ 
 
 The Algerines generally make use of foreign coins, 
 though they have several of their own ; among which 
 is the barba, made of copper ; the asper, a small 
 •quare piece of silver, fifteen of which are equiva- 
 lent to a Spanish rial, and twenty-four to a dapta, 
 being nearly worth a crown ; together with the ru- 
 pee, the median, and dian, all of gold, which being 
 the royal coins of the kings of Tremesen, are still 
 coined in that province. 
 
 This kingdom has undergone a variety of divisions, 
 according to the will of the people who successively 
 conquered and governed it. After the deys, how- 
 ever, became so powerful, they separated it into 
 three governments ; the east, west, and south ; im- 
 der which division it is generally known. The 
 eastern district is the most considerable, not only 
 on account of its wealth and extent, but also of the 
 number and magnificence of its cities. It contains 
 many ancient towns, in which may still be seen the 
 remains of monuments that attest their former cele- 
 brity, without reckoning those that exhibit nothing 
 but remains. Among the latter is Bona, supposed 
 to be the ancient Hippo, which disputes with Con- 
 atantinople the title of capital. This government is 
 in the vicinity of the desert. The inhabitants great- 
 ly value their independence, which they have pre- 
 served by forfeiting their wealth. They are, in ge- 
 neral, a haughty and warlike race of people. 
 
 The western also disputes with the eastern go- 
 vernment, the melancholy honour of being covered 
 with superb ruins. The capital of this district, for 
 a long space of time, was Oran, which the Spaniards 
 conquered, lost, and retook, and of which they ars 
 lit present in possession.
 
 16 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 The southern government is altogetiier without 
 cities, as the Arabs, by whom it is inhabited, all live 
 under tents, and are divided into hordes, each of 
 which form a kind of itinerant villao-e, governed by 
 its respective chief. They are subjects on whom 
 little or no dependence can be placed. They ought 
 to i)ay a kind of tribute to Algiers ; but when the 
 dey endeavours to exact the contributions, they bury 
 their corn and most valuable effects in places 
 which are known only to themselves, and fly to the 
 deserts, or inaccessible retreats, where they are safe 
 from all pursuit. 
 
 Algiers, which is the capital of the whole kingdom, 
 forms a sort of an amphitheatre, presenting a most 
 beautiful view, and is washed on the north and 
 north-east by the Mediterranean sea. This city, 
 which is said to contain one hundred thousand Ma- 
 hometan and fifteen thousand Jewish iniiabitants; 
 being erected on the declivity of a hill, on which the 
 houses rise in regular gradation, almost every one 
 of them commands a delightful prospect of the 
 ocean. The walls of the city are about thirty feet 
 high on the ascent, but towards the sea they are not 
 less Ihan forty, and twelve feet thick, flanked with 
 square towers. There are six gates, all of which 
 are properly fortified and secured. The citadel, 
 which is of an o( tagonal form, having port holes 
 and embrasures in view, is erected on the most ele- 
 vated ground within the walls. On the west, the 
 whole city is overlooked by a ridge of high hills, 
 upon which are erected two forts that command a 
 considerable part of the bay and the river Rebar; 
 but the strongest fortifications lie next the sea. 
 
 From this side, according to a receut description
 
 City of Algiers. 17 
 
 nf Algiers, '* the approach towards the city is de- 
 fended by a strong mole, constrncted on a narrow 
 piece of land, five hnndred paces in lensjth, well for- 
 tified, and supplied with heavy gnus ; aliached to 
 this is the Light-House Battery, carryinir about 
 fifty guns, several of them twenty-four pounders; 
 some of which bear on the Mole head, and others on 
 the sea. There is besides a strong battery, with 
 seven mortars, bearing from north-west to east ; 
 and several heavy guns on the pier and gateway, 
 which command the Mole. Along the shore they 
 have four forts, with heavy pieces : the largest, called 
 Charles V/s castle, or the Emperor's fort, stands to 
 the right of the town, and commands the approach 
 to the city on the land side. The square fort to 
 the right, is on the edge of the shore, which it com- 
 mands, as does that of the Barbulouet fort on the 
 left, situated at the other extremity of the city, and 
 seconded by another square fort, placed still farther 
 to the left. 
 
 " Besides these, they have twelve batteries of heavy 
 guns, many of them twenty-four pounders, as well 
 as mortars, placed at different distances, at the wa- 
 ter-side edge of the town, the walls of which are 
 about forty feet high. The whole shore is well cal- 
 culated to maintain a strong resistance, and presentsa 
 very formidable object on its approach; though the 
 Algerines, unless assisted by foreigners, are not very 
 capable of making the best use of their means, on 
 account of the unskilfulness of their engineers." 
 
 In this city is only one spacious street, which 
 extends from east to west, but is of unequal width, 
 though broader and more airy than any of the others. 
 Throughout the rest of the town, the streets are so 
 
 1 D
 
 18 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 narrow, that two people can scarcely walk abreast ; 
 a circumstance which, added to their extreme filthi- 
 ness, renders them exceedingly unpleasant; espe- 
 cially as there are beasts of burden continually 
 passing and repassing, to which it is absolutely ne- 
 cessary to give way at the first, under no less a 
 risk than that of being trodden under foot, or 
 squeezed to death. 
 
 In the centre of the city stands the dey's palace, 
 which is a very magnificent edifice; the front, facing 
 the interior court, is surrounded with two superb 
 galleries, that are supported by marble pillars ; 
 and there are two spacious halls, in which the divan 
 assembles every Sunday, Monday, and Wednes- 
 day. 
 
 The houses in Algiers have terraces, upon which 
 the inhabitants pay visits, and by means of which 
 they can go from one end of the town to the other, 
 as there are ladders for ascending or descending, 
 where they are not equal in height. But, notwith- 
 standing the facility of passing from one house to an- 
 other, there are no thieves in this city ; for ifa stranger 
 be caught in any of them, he is punished with death. 
 Near the sea-side are a great number of mosques, 
 which are elegant structures, and contribute great- 
 ly to the beautiful appearance of the place. Some 
 of the baths, also, are extremely handsome : the 
 Turks resort to them, not only before the five daily 
 prayers, but whenever they are not engaged in any 
 business which prevents them. The women have 
 particular baths, which are attended by persons of 
 their own sex, where the men are precluded ff om 
 entering on any pretext whatever. 
 
 There is likewise a species of buildings, deno-
 
 Environs of Algiers. 19 
 
 tninated basos, in which the wretched European 
 slaves are every night immured. In each of these 
 they have a chapel for the free exercise of their re- 
 ligion ; every slave receiving a small pittance of 
 bread, nnd being furnished with a mattress and rug 
 on which to sleep. At an appointed hour in the 
 evening, they repair to these dormitories, where they 
 continue till their brutal and unfeeling masters 
 awaixe tliem to fresh scenes of labour and of misery. 
 Till the last century, the city of Algiers had no 
 other supply of fresh water than the rain which was 
 preserved in cisterns ; when a Moor, who had been 
 expelled out of Spain, having acquired some profi- 
 ciency in science, by his acquaintance with Euro- 
 peans, conducted from the neighbouring mountains 
 two aqueducts, which aflforded a sufficient quantity 
 of water to till a hundred fountains in different parts 
 of the town. 
 
 The soil in the neighbourhood of Algiers is ex- 
 tremely fertile; and the country is beautifully di- 
 versified with hills, valleys, gardens, groves, and 
 neat little villas, where the more opulent of the peo- 
 ple spend their summer retreat. These villas, as 
 well as all the houses in the city, being white, and 
 beautifully shaded with a number of fruit-trees 
 and ever-greens, furnish a most delightful prospect, 
 which no repetition can cloy, or render unpleasing. 
 The habitations of the European consuls, in par- 
 ticular, are finely ornamented with the choicest 
 and most beautiful trees, which are kept properly 
 pruned (a neglect very prevalent among the natives), 
 and produce a great abundance of most delicious 
 fruits. 
 
 Algiers has been a den of pirates from the first
 
 90 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 moment that their piracies could be carried on with 
 success, against the nations of Europe. The little 
 comnierre of the Al.i>erines, is founded on systema- 
 tic and shameless rapine. Their exports have been 
 mainly the produce of plunder in the interior of 
 Africa, nnd their imjwits, the spoils of their pira- 
 tical navy. Instead of beginning:, like most other 
 nations, with commerce, and assuming a hostile at- 
 titude, as rheir exigences demanded, or their pas- 
 sions prompted, they seem to have started at once 
 full armed into ceaseless and ruthless war with all 
 ■whom their power enabled tliem to pillage. Per- 
 haps the period cannot be named when Europe re- 
 ceived any thing at their hands, but crimes and 
 blood. 
 
 The commerce of Algiers, is principally carried on 
 by their corsairs, or pirates. Carpets constitute a 
 manufacture of this country, though inferior to those 
 of Turkey. Tiiere are also at Algiers, looms for vel- 
 vets, taffeties, and other wrought silks, and a coarse 
 kind <»f linen is also made in various parts of the 
 kingdom. Few of their commodities or products 
 are sent into foreign markets ; their oil, wax, hides, 
 pulse and corn, being barely sufficient to supply 
 the country, although while grain was in possession 
 of the Algerines, the English merchants shipped 
 from thence seven or eight thousand tons of wheat 
 and barley every year. Froju Barbary, indeed, 
 Great Britain derives very important supplies of 
 •wheat, for Malta and Gibraltar, without which, in 
 time of war, siie would be unable to keep up these 
 garrisons. 
 
 The remaining exports of the Algerines, consist 
 chiefly of ostrich feathers, wax, hides, wool, copper.
 
 Negroes and Christian Slaves. 21 
 
 rags, silk sashes, embroidered liandkerchiefs, dates, 
 and Christiaji slaves. Their imports consist chiefly 
 of gold and silver stuffs, damasks, cloths, spices, tin, 
 iron, plated brass, lead, quicksilver, cordage, sail- 
 cloths, bullets, linen, cochineal, tartar, alum, rice, 
 sugar, soap, cotton raw or spnn, copperas, aloes,. 
 Brazil and logwood, vermilion, arsenic, gum, tar, 
 sulphur, opium, anise and cummin seed, mastic, 
 sarsaparella, aspic, frankincense, galls, honey, pa- 
 per, combs, cards, dried frnits, and a variety of 
 woollen stuffs. But of these a small quantity is 
 imported by the merchants, though there is a con- 
 stant demjind for theui, on account of heavy duties, 
 frequent exactions, precarious payments, and uncer- 
 tain returns. 
 
 The number of Negroes, annually imported as 
 slaves into Algiers, amounts to from 150 to 180, and 
 their price varies from 50 to 150 sequins. The fe- 
 males are often kept as concubines by the wealthy 
 Turks and Moors. Most of these slaves obtain their 
 freedom, either gratuitously or by purchase ; and 
 during their slavery they are treated with lenity, 
 and severe usage is noticed and even punished by 
 the government. Both Negro and Christian slaves 
 are employed at Algiers in the same offices as our 
 domestic servants. But Jews and Christians are 
 forbidden from keeping Negro slaves who profess 
 the Mahometan religion. An emancipated slave 
 becomes entitled to the same privileges with the 
 Moors. 
 
 T\\G Christian slaves, who attend upon the Dey, live 
 well, and are richly clad, but they must seclude 
 themselves from society, and are seldom allowed 
 to leave the palace. The youngest and most beau-
 
 22 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 tiful are exposed to the seduction of licentious 
 courtiers. Others, who are the property of the state, 
 are employed in dock-yards and magazines, and are 
 under the command of Turkish Task-masters. 
 They labour from sun-rise to sun-set ; their fare is 
 coarse, and their accommodations at nighl amidst 
 the filth and vermin, and corrupt air of the bagnios, 
 are more intolerable than the fatigues of the day. 
 The condition of slaves, purchased by individuals, 
 (though often subjected to the capricious cruelties 
 of their masters) is, upon the whole, preferable to 
 that of those who belong to the state. Those who 
 have an opportunity to acquire property, take ta- 
 verns in the city, and gradually become rich. 
 
 Of reiiegadoes, the number is but small; they are 
 either Jews or Christians, the former, of whom 
 there are commonly more women than men re- 
 nounce the faith of their ancestors, and embrace the 
 predominant religion of the country, for the purpose 
 of being revenged of their relations, or with a view 
 to escape from merited and apprehended punish- 
 ment, or from motives of ambition or interest : if 
 these possess talents, and render any great service to 
 the government, they are sometimes advanced to ho- 
 nouralde and lucrative employments. Of Christiaji 
 renegadoes, the number is not so great : the zeal to 
 gain jjroselytes from Christianity is now much 
 abated ; and such conversions are but little encou- 
 raged, and, in many instances, not permitted, as the 
 proprietors of the slaves would be losers, and be 
 deprived of the expected ransom. Renegadoes are 
 despised and distrusted, and not without reason, for 
 most of them are in judgment and affection attach- 
 ed neither to one religion nor the other. .
 
 Algerine Piracies. 23 
 
 The following Account of the manner of talcing Vessels, 
 practised hy the Algerines, is from the interesting 
 Narrative of an unfortunate Englishman, who ivas 
 taken some years ago hi/ these piratical J3arharians. 
 
 " The day in which we were taken" says he "our 
 mate, Mr. John Milton, was early at top-mast-head, 
 and cried out, A sail! The master asked him, 
 Where ? At leeward, replied the mate, about five or 
 six leagues. And so, to be brief in my relation, 
 about mid-day, being almost overtaken by them 
 (the enemy being but about a mi ledistance from us,) 
 our master said, it will be in vain for us to make 
 our flight any longer, seeing it will be but an hour or 
 two ere we shall be tpken, and then, probably, fare 
 the worse if we continue our flight. I may leave 
 any person to judge what a heartless condition we 
 were in ; but still we could not forbear kenning the 
 ship, that unwelcome object, which, devil-like, was 
 eager in the pursuit of us. All hope now failing, 
 there being no place for refuge, we hauled up our 
 sails, and waited for them. As soon as the pirate 
 came up with us, the captain being a Dutch rene- 
 gado, aiid able to speak English, bid us hoist out 
 our boat ; which we could not do without much 
 trouble and tinie, by reason that a few days l>efore, 
 one of our men, in a ureat storm, was washed over- 
 board, and 1 myself was so scalded with boiling wa- 
 ter, as (o be disabled for working; so that we had 
 but foiir men that were able: and therefore, before 
 we could make half ready to hoist out our boat, 
 they came aboard us in their own.
 
 24 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 *• I being but young, the enemy seemed to me as 
 monslrous ravenous creatures ; which made me cry 
 out, O Master ! I am afraid they will kill us and 
 eat us. No, no, child, said my master, they will 
 carry us to Algiers, and sell us. 
 
 " The very first words they spoke, and the first 
 thing they did, was beating us with ropes, saying, 
 Into boat, you English dogs ! And without the least 
 opposition, with fear, we tumbled into their boat, we 
 scarce knew how ; which when they had loaded, 
 they carried us aboard their ship, and diligent search 
 was made about us for money, but they found none. 
 We were the first prize they had taken for that voy- 
 age, though they had been out at sea about six 
 weeks. As for our vessel, after they had taken out 
 of her wliat they thought fit, and necessary for their 
 use, they sunk her ; for being laden with fish, they 
 thought it not worth while to carry, or send her 
 home to Algiers. 
 
 " Soon after our arrival at Algiers we were carried 
 ashore to the captain's house, and allowed nothing 
 but a little bread and water that night. The next 
 noorning, (as their custom is,) they drove us all to 
 the Dey's or King's house, who makes his choice, 
 and takes the pengick, i. e. the eighth part of the 
 slaves for public use, and the same part of the car- 
 go. After which, we were all driven from thence to 
 the battistan, or market-place, where Christians are 
 wont to be sold. There we stand from eight of the 
 clock in the morning, until two in the afternoon, 
 (which is the limited time for the sale of Christians,) 
 and have not the least bit of bread allowed us, dur- 
 ing our stay there. Many persons are curious to 
 come and take a view of us, while we stand exposed
 
 Superstitious Addresses to Saints. 25 
 
 10 sale; and others, who intend to buy, to see whe- 
 ther we be sound and healthy," and tit for service. 
 The taken slaves are sold by way of auction, and 
 the ciier endeavours to make the most he can of 
 them : and when the bidders are at a stand, he makes 
 use of liis rhetoric, Behold, what a strong man is 
 this! What liinl)s he has! He is tit for any work. 
 And, see what a pretty boy this is! No doubt his 
 parents are very rich, and able to redeem him with 
 a great ransom. And with many such like fair 
 speeches does he strive to raise the price. After the 
 bidders iiave done bidding, the slaves are all driven 
 again to the Dey's liouse, where any that have a 
 mind to advance above what was bidden at the 
 Battisian, may ; but then, whatsoever exceeds the 
 bidding in that place, belongs not to the pickaroons, 
 or pirates, but goes to (he Dey." 
 
 The same author gives the following account of 
 the behaviour of the Aigerines at sea, and their su- 
 perstitious addresses to the Marabbots or saints for 
 success. . 
 
 " The first thing the Aigerines do when any ship 
 comes home from cruising, is with all expedition to 
 take every thing out, ballast and all ; and then ca- 
 reen again, and tallow all under water to the very 
 keel. Having so done, they take in all again as 
 fast as they can, and w hen they are ready, and fit to 
 put to sea, a signal is given for any that will to come 
 on board, and they refuse none that offer themselves, 
 whether they be able or unable, old or young. The 
 gunners have two parts or shares of what is taken ; 
 and the soldiers the same ; the slaves that labour, 
 
 1 E
 
 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 some two, some three, and some four, but it goes to 
 their Patroons; and all the rest have one part.* 
 
 " Tlie i^nns being fired, they all take their leave 
 of their friends, saying, Allah smoiia click; i. e. I 
 leave you ^\ilhGod. Their friends usually return, 
 Alia JJnmdick weara ; i. e. God ^ive you a good 
 prize. And it is hereto be noted, that if there be 
 several ships goingout together, then the captain who 
 was first registered, is admiral of the said ships; 
 and none can be registered a captain, until he 
 bring in eight Christian slaves, so that the governor 
 may have the pengick ; i. e. the one eighth. And 
 every such captain has, when he dies, in honour of 
 him, an ancient staff set nj) aJ llie head of his sepul- 
 chre, and every sabbath-day, which vvitii them is 
 Friday, his surviving relations hang up their flag on 
 it ; and this they do for many years after his de- 
 cease- 
 
 * The occupations of these pirates are well described in the 
 ♦ Corsair' of Lord B^roii: — 
 
 In scattered groiipes upon the golden sand, 
 They game, — carouse, — converse, — or whet the brand ; 
 Select the arms — to each his blade assign. 
 And careless eye the blood that dims its shine: 
 Pvcpair tne boat — replace the lielni or oar, 
 While others straggling muse along the shore; 
 For the wild bird the busy springes set. 
 Or spread beneath the sun the dripping net : 
 Gaze where some distant sail a speck supplies. 
 With all the thirsting eye oi eulerjirize — 
 Tell o'er the tales of many a niglil of toil. 
 And marvel where they next shall seize a spoil; 
 No matter where — their chiefs allotment this — 
 Theirs — to believe no prey or plan amiss.
 
 Superstitious Customs. ^1f 
 
 *' At their return from sea, if they have taken any 
 prize^ all the slaves and cargo are sold by way of 
 auction ; and all sorts of people, whether Turks, 
 Moors, Jews, or Christians, have their liberty to 
 advance in bidding; and after the money is paid 
 which is bid, every person receivetb his part or 
 parts. 
 
 " The Algerines are a very timorous sort of peo- 
 ple, willing to slee|) in a whole skin, and therefore 
 care not how little they fight ; but show themselves 
 wondrously valiant upon poor small merchantmen. 
 But many times they have made some attempts on 
 great merchantmen, and have come off with shame 
 and broken bones. And this is not much to be 
 surprised at, because they have no order in their en- 
 gagements, neither is there any punishment for such 
 of the inferior soldiers as do not fight. 
 
 "When at sea, they make a gathering of small 
 wax candles, which they usually carry with them, 
 and bind them in a bundle; and then, together with 
 a pot of oil, throw them overboard, as a present lo 
 the Marabbot, or saint, who lies entombed there on 
 the Barbary shore, near the sea, and hath so done 
 for many scores of years, as they are taught to be- 
 lieve; not in the least doubting, but the present will 
 come safe to the Marabbot's hands. When this is 
 done, they all together hold up their hands, begging 
 the Marabbot's blessing and a prosperous voyage. 
 And if they at any time happen to be in a very great 
 strait, or distress, as being chased, or in a storm, 
 they will gather money, and do likewise. Besides 
 which, they usually light up abundance of candles in 
 remembrance of some dead Marabbot or other, call- 
 ing upon him with heavy sighs and groans. At
 
 28 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 such times also they collect money, and wrap it in 
 a piece of linen cloth, and make it fast to the ancient 
 staff of the ship, so dedicating it to some Marabbot ; 
 and there it abides till the arrival of the ship, when 
 they bestow it in candles, or oil, to s^ive light, or in 
 some ornament to beautify the Marabbot's scjduI- 
 chre. For these Marabbots have generally a little 
 neat room built over their graves, resembling in 
 figure their mosques, or churches, which is very 
 nicely cleansed, and well looked after. 
 
 " But to return to their custom at sea. If they 
 find no succour from their before-mentioned rites 
 and superstitions ; but that the danger rather in- 
 creases, then they go to sacrificing of a sheep (or 
 two or three upon occasion, as they think needful), 
 which is done after this manner: having cut off the 
 head with a knife, they immediately take out the 
 entrails, and throw them, and the head overboard ; 
 and then with all the speed they can (without skin- 
 ning) they cut the body into two parts by the middle, 
 and throw one part over the right side of the ship, 
 and the other over the left, into the sea, as a kind 
 of propitiation. Thus those blind infidels (as the 
 papists do, to whom they really seem to be akin in 
 several things,) apply themselves to imaginary inter- 
 cessors, instead of the living and true God, who 
 alone is able to command the swelling and mount- 
 ing billows of the sea to be quiet and litill. 
 
 " As I intimated before, they are wondrously va- 
 liant against a weak enemy, and vigorous in their 
 chase after small vessels ; and so careful are they 
 that nothing may hinder their speed, that they will 
 scarce suffer any person in the ship to stir, but all 
 must sit stock-still, unless necessity otherwise re-
 
 Kingdom of Tripoli. 29 
 
 quires. All things that are capable of any mo- 
 tion, must be fastened, or unhanged, (even the small- 
 est weight,) lest the pursuit should be something re- 
 tarded thereby. 
 
 " But as they are eager upon a small ship, so if 
 it happen at any time that they chase a great one, 
 they will slack their pace as soon as they come near 
 enough to apprehend what she is; or if at any time 
 they see a ship preparing to fight them, their cour- 
 age is apt to be very soon daunted. Many ships 
 of twelve, ten, or eight guns, have escaped tlieir 
 hands very manfully, whilst the Turks have come 
 home shattered, and with shame. The Algerines 
 are not in truth such daring sparks as they are 
 thought to be. And I verily believe that many ships, 
 much unequal to them in strength, might escape 
 being taken, if they would but appear brave, and 
 look them boldly in the face." 
 
 KINGDOM OF TRIPOLI. 
 
 This state, though tributary to the Porte, as- 
 sumes the title of kingdom, and receives its appella- 
 tion from the metropolis, called New Tripoli, to 
 distinguisli it from the ancient city in Plia3!-iicia, 
 which still retains its original deiioniinatioii. This 
 kingdom, which includes the desert of Barca, and 
 the restof Barl)arv, is bounded on the east by Egypt, 
 on the north by the Mediterranean sea, on the west 
 by Tunis, and on tlie south by Nubia, and extends 
 about twelve hundred .'lules in length, but is of very
 
 30 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 disproportionate breadths. In this country there 
 are no rivers of consequence ; nor is its coast dis- 
 tinguished for any natural curiosities, except the 
 gulf of Sydra, denominated the Syrtis Magna, in 
 order lo distinguish it from the Syrtis Minor, which 
 lies on the coast of Tunis. 
 
 Tripoli is divided into maritime and inland ; and 
 the worthless inhabitants of these great districts are 
 designated by the odious character of being pirates 
 in the former, and robbers in the latter. The chief 
 cities and towns are situated along the coast; but 
 few of them merit any particular description, being 
 in general thinly inhabited, meanly built, and ruined 
 on the one hand by the exactions of the government, 
 and on the other by the depredations of the plunder- 
 ing Arabs. 
 
 Tripoli, the metropolis of the kingdom, is situated 
 in fourteen degrees thirty minutes of east longitude, 
 and in thirty-three degrees five minutes of north la- 
 titude, and is a small, but populous place. This 
 city stands on a sandy situation by the shore, and is 
 surrounded by high walls, flanked with pyramidical 
 towers. It has two gates ; one fronting the north, 
 or sea-side, the other the south, or interior parts of 
 the country. To the east is a group of rugged rocks, 
 on which are to be seen the ruins of some ancient 
 forts ; to the west is a strong castle, surrounded 
 with fortifications in the modern style, and defended 
 by cannon of uncommonly large dimensions. Old 
 Tripoli lies at a small distance, almost in ruins ; and 
 is chiefly remarkable for having been the birth place 
 of the Roman emperor Severus. 
 
 New Tripoli was built by the natives, who gave 
 it the appellation of Tarabilis, or Trebilis. It was
 
 Description of Tripoli. 3t 
 
 once a place of oreat trade ; and being* filled with a 
 number of capital editices, exceeded all the neigh- 
 bourin«: cities for opulence and beauty. It retains, 
 however, very few marks of its ancient splendour; 
 and its great decay seems to have been occasioned 
 by the want of water and corn, two of the principal 
 articles of life. Its limits are become very contract- 
 ed ; and the houses are mean, low, and irregular. 
 It, nevertheless, contains some monuments, that 
 evince its ancient magnificence ; j)articularly a no- 
 ble triumphal arch, part of which lies buried in the 
 sand, though enough of it is still visible to excite our 
 admiration of its elegant architecture. This struc- 
 ture has been composed of the finest marble; and 
 it is evident, that the whole has been executed ac- 
 cording to the purest models of antiquity : over 
 each of its four gates is a triumphal chariot, in one 
 of which Alexander is represented drawn by tvTO 
 sphinxes. 
 
 This arch is very entire, if compared to other 
 
 similar antiquities in this country : and.it'seems to be 
 
 indebted for its preservation, rather to the eflfects of 
 
 superstition, than to the substance of which it is 
 
 formed ; a tradition having prevailed for a number 
 
 of ages, that its demolition will- be attended with 
 
 some dreadful calamity. In order to establish the 
 
 authenticity of this foolish and idle story, the natives 
 
 shew a stone, almost separated from the building, 
 
 which ihey confidently affirm was displaced by the 
 
 command of one of their princes, whose workmen 
 
 were immediately alarmed by an earthquake ; but 
 
 persevering in the attempl^, notwithstanding this 
 
 salutary and supernatural admonition to desist, they 
 
 were all buried under au immense cloud of sand.
 
 32 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 The Franciscan friars, with several other orders 
 of monks, have settled in New Tripoli, where the 
 former liave a handsome church, convent, and hos- 
 pital ; the last of wiiich edifices is too often rendered 
 necessary on account of the malignant and pestilen- 
 tial disorders which infest the city. Near to the 
 walls is an ancient buryin2:-place, where urns, me- 
 dals, and other reliques, are frequently found. 
 Notwithstanding the barrenness of the soil, the sur- 
 rounding country is adorned with a number of hand- 
 some villas, the cliristian slaves, who are however 
 not numerous, being employed in cultivating the 
 gardens. The principal trade of new Tripoli 
 consists of linen, great quantities of which are manu- 
 factured by the inhal)itaMts ; but they place their 
 chief dependence on their corsairs, who are more 
 mischievous and desperate than any other on this 
 piratical coast. 
 
 The grand f-eignior sends to Tripoli a pacha, who 
 is not merely a titular vassal of the Porte, but really 
 under subjection and tributary. Their avarice, 
 however, and the sums they are obliged to send to 
 Constantinople, have loaded the people with such 
 heavy imposts, that most of the inhabitants are re- 
 duced to the lowest state of indigence and misery. 
 
 Of the city of Tripoli some curious and interesting 
 particulars are given by Ali Bey, who travelled as a 
 Mahometan, and was every where received as such. 
 He visited Tripoli in the year 1805, and he thus no- 
 tices the place. 
 
 Tripoli in Barbary is named by the natives Ta'^-a- 
 bles. This town is much handsomer than any in the 
 kingdom of Morocco, Itis situated on thesea-shore, 
 and its streets are straight and pretty large.
 
 Domestic Customs. 33 
 
 Its houses are regular, well built, and are almost 
 all of a dazzling white; the architecture approaches 
 more to the European than the Arabian style ; the 
 gates are generally in the Tnscan style. The stone 
 columns, and the arches of the courts, are of a round 
 form, whereas those of Morocco are pointed. It is 
 very common to see stone buildings ; and even mar- 
 ble is employed for tiie construction of the courts, 
 gates, stairs, and mosques. The houses have win- 
 dows towards ihe streets, which is not the case at 
 Morocco, but they are always shut with very close 
 blinds. 
 
 It is a strange fashion in the houses of Tripoli, that 
 in almost all the rooms, which are very long and nar- 
 row, there is at each end a sort of stage of planks, 
 about four feet high, with narrow stairs. These al- 
 coves are furnished with rails and wooden ornaments, 
 and there is a door under each of them. On in- 
 quiry, I found that they are made to contain the com- 
 plete household furniture of a woman ; as upon one 
 of the alcoves the bed is placed ; upon the other the 
 wearing apparel and that of the children ; under 
 the one are the table utensils and the victuals ; un- 
 der ihe other, the remainder of the wearing apparel, 
 linen, &c. 
 
 In consequence of this arrangement, the middle 
 of the apartment is noways encumbered, and affords 
 plenty of room to receive the company, and a man 
 may keep in a house of three or four rooms, three or 
 four women, with all possible convenience, and 
 without^their being in the way of each other. 
 
 There are neither springs nor rivers in Tripoli. 
 The inhabitants are obliged to drink rain water, 
 which they preserve in cisterns, attached to every 
 
 1 P
 
 34 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 nouse ; for their baths, ablutions, and other uses, 
 they employ brackish water, which they take from 
 wells. 
 
 The pl.ijrne has much diminished the population 
 of Tripoli, and has often carried off whole families. 
 There are still some houses which have been aban- 
 doned, or destroyed on account of this scourge. 
 
 The whole number of the inhabitants may be es- 
 timated at about twelve or fifteen thousand souls ; 
 the population consists of Moors, Turks, and Jews ; 
 and as the Government was forinerly entirely com- 
 posed of Turks, the civilization is much more ad- 
 vanced than at Morocco. Silk, and tissues of gold 
 and silver, are generally employed in their dresses. 
 The court is as brilliant as possible. Most part of 
 the inhabitants know and speak various Eiiropean 
 languages. The Pasha himself speaks Italian. 
 The Moors look upon this as a sin. 
 
 Society is much more free and easy than at Mo- 
 rocco. The European Consuls came often to pay 
 me visits, and nobody cared about it. European 
 renegadoes are advanced to places, and may obtain 
 the highest rank. The admiral or chief of the 
 •whole Tripolitan marine is an English renegado, 
 ■who has married a relation of the Pasha's. The 
 Christian slaves are well treated ; they are pej mitted 
 to serve any ')ody, on condition of giving part of the 
 profits to Government. 
 
 The sovereign of Tripoli preserves still the title 
 of Pasha, who was sent every three years by the 
 Grand Seignior. These ephemeral Pashas consi- 
 derefl the firmans, which constituted their nomina- 
 tions, as an authorization to commit their robberies 
 on the inhabitants \ but tired of these vexations,
 
 Beys of Tripoli. 35 
 
 the people assassinated the last Pasha, of the Sub- 
 lime Porte, and in pursnance of this revolution, 
 which took place about eighty years ago, they chose 
 for their Prince Sidi Hhamet Caramanii, a native of 
 Caramania, who took also the title of Pasha, and 
 who was the founder of the present dynasty. After 
 Sidi Hhamet, his son, Sidi Ali, father of the present 
 Pasha, mounted the throne, but several revolutions 
 having obliged him to quit the country, he retired 
 to Tunis. The son of Sidi Ali, called after his an- 
 cestor Sidi Hhamet, succeeded him. He was a vi- 
 cious character, unworthy of his high rank, and it 
 was to his bad qualities that he owed the loss of his 
 throne and life. He was succeeded by his brother 
 Sidi Yusuf, who is the reigning Pasha. 
 
 Sidi Yusuf, or Lord Joseph, is about forty years 
 old, he is a sensible man, speaks good Italian, and 
 has a fine countenance; he is fond of pomp, magni- 
 ficence and show ; he is endowed with dignity, and 
 his manners are agreeable and polite. He has 
 reigned already about ten years and a half, and the 
 people seem very much satisfied with him. 
 
 Sidi Yusuf keeps but two women ; the one, his 
 cousin, is of a fair complexion, the other is a negress. 
 He has three sons and three daughters by the for- 
 mer, and one son and two daughters by the latter. 
 He has some negresses for slaves, but no whites. 
 He likes that his women should use all possible 
 luxury and magnificence in their dress and in their 
 houses. — See Ali Beys Travels^ vol. i. p. 233. 
 
 Of Sidi Yusuf, the reigning Bey, some interesting 
 anecdotes are to be found in the very entertaining 
 "Narrative of Ten Years Residence at Tripoli." 
 
 Ali Caromalli, or Caromanli, the reigning bashaw
 
 o6 PICTURE OF BARliARY. 
 
 in 1784, was the grandson of Hamet, who, after 
 treacherously causing the assassination of the Turk- 
 ish soldiery, whom he looked upon as his gaolers, 
 succeeded in procuring a firman from the Grand 
 Signior, which settled the succession of the pacha- 
 lick in the Moorish line. He had three sons from 
 one wife, the eldest of which, Sidi Hassan, who has 
 the title of bev, and is considered as the leofitimate 
 successor of the throne, was about thirty years of 
 age; the second was named Sidi Hamet; and the 
 youngest, about twenty, Sidi Useph, the last of 
 whom at present fills the throne of Tripoli ; the two 
 younger brothers, and particularly the latter, con- 
 ceived an inveterate hatred against the bey, and, as 
 usual, in all the Mahometan governments, con- 
 spired to deprive him of the succession. 
 
 On the feast of Beiram, which immediately fol- 
 lows the fast of Ramadan, every good Mussulman 
 endeavours to settle all quarrels which may have 
 disturbed the peace of his family in the foregoing 
 year. On the first day of this feast also, it is usual 
 for the subjects of a certain rank to do homage to 
 the sovereign. On such occasions, two of the peo- 
 ple, in whom the bashaw has the greatest confidence, 
 stand on each side of him ; their office is to lay 
 hold of the arm of every stranger that presents him- 
 self to kiss the bashaw's hand, for fear of any hidden 
 treachery, and only people of consequence and trust 
 are permitted to enter his presence armed. The 
 drawing-room, in honour of the day, was uncom- 
 monly crowded; when all the courtiers were, in a 
 moment, struck with a sight that seemed to congeal 
 their blood : they appeared to expect nothing less 
 than the slaughter of their sovereign, at the foot of
 
 Ajiimosities amongst the Knlers. 37 
 
 his throne, and themselves to he sacrificed to the 
 vengeance of his enemies. The three princes en- 
 tered with their chief officers, guards, and blacks, 
 armed in an extraordinary manner, with their sa- 
 bres drawn. Each of the sons, snrronnded by his 
 own officers and i>nards, went separately up to kiss 
 the bashaw's hand. He received them with trem- 
 bling, and his extreme surprise and agitation were 
 visible to every eye, and the doubtful issue of the 
 moment appeared terrible to all present. The 
 princes formed three divisions, keeping distinctly 
 apart ; they conversed with the consuls, and diffe- 
 rent people of the court, as freely as usual, but did 
 not suffer a glance to escape each other. They 
 stayed but a short time in the drawing-room, each 
 party retiring in the same order they had entered ; 
 and it became apparent, that tlieir rage was le- 
 velled against each other, and not against their fa- 
 ther, though the bashaw seemed only to recover 
 breath on' their departure.*- 
 
 The Bey is stated to have used means to conci- 
 liate his brothers, but in vain ; he is described, in- 
 deed, as a man of very engaging manners, of a calm 
 and tranquil disposition, which had assumed a cast 
 of melancholy, from having lost all his sons in the 
 dread fid plague that desolated the Barbary states in 
 the year I7y0. In heading the army against some 
 refracior> Arab chiefs, his appearance at his depar- 
 ture is thus described. In abou' two hours after 
 his attendants had waited for him, the Bey came 
 out of the castle, habited in a loose dress of blue 
 and gold tissue, over a pale sello v caftan, em'>roi- 
 
 * Tully^s Narrative, p. 126,
 
 38 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 dered with gold and silver. His belt was studded 
 with jewels, and his turban was crossed over with 
 gold diap ry, having long ends pendant from it. 
 He had a very large jewel claw in his lurban, which 
 had been newly set, and looked extreniely beautifid, 
 with a new gold crescent, considerably larger than 
 that he usually wears. 
 
 We never saw the Bey received better by the 
 Moors. Their acclamations were loud and inces- 
 sant for some time; and the Bey, whose figure is 
 always interesting, looked particularly handsome 
 and majestic. He mounted a most splendid black 
 horse. The animal seemed to vie with its master in 
 the richness of its appearance ; it was adorned with 
 no less than four magnificent velvet housings. The 
 broad black chest of the horse displayed to advan- 
 tage eight solid gold drop necklaces, which reached 
 to his legs ; the saddle was chased gold, the front 
 ofit set with jewels; the stirrups were very large, 
 and appeared like burnished gold. His whole ap- 
 pearance was uncommonly brilliant. 
 
 Though the two brothers conspired against the 
 Bey, there was no common sentiment but that of 
 jealousy as to his successor ; and they were perpe- 
 tually wrangling with each other; their quarrels, 
 however, as generally happens among these lawless 
 African princes, originated chiefly with their de- 
 pendants. Savage as these fraternal broils must be 
 deemed, they are sometimes not altogether divested 
 of a noble sentiment. On a rencontre of ihe two 
 brothers, at the head of their armed follovvers, Sidi 
 Hamet the elder, approaching his brother Sidi 
 Useph, thus addressed him, — "Sidi Useph, what 
 shall we get by cutting our servants to pieces herCt
 
 Mixing of Blood. 39 
 
 who are all friends, wield el-b/ed (sons of the town;) 
 we may fill the castle with h'ood, and frighten the 
 women, hut here we shall escape each other's arms ; 
 if we fall, it may be by some of our own people, and 
 our private quarrel will remain unrevenged. Call 
 for your horse, mine is ready, and let us instantly 
 go out in the pianura (or plain) and tiiere settle 
 this dispute between us." — At this moment the wife 
 and the mother of Sidi Hainet rushed forward, 
 screanuitg in despair, and followed by their slaves, 
 awakened the Bashaw, by the ivoulliah-woo. which 
 ran through the castle. The Bashaw ordered them 
 to disarm, and to embrace each olher. Sidi Hamet 
 and Sidi UL>eph approached the Bashaw; they each 
 kissed his hand, and laid it on their heads, then 
 kissed his head, and the hem of his garment, and 
 wished him, in the Moorish manner, a long life. 
 They wtre retirins:, and did not offer to salute each 
 other ; the Bashaw seized both their hands in his, 
 and said, " By the prophet, by my head, by your 
 hands, and by this hand that holds them, there is 
 peace i)etween you."* 
 
 The two brothers had not long before this taken 
 the most sacred oaths of friendship and fidelity to 
 each rither at the shrine of their temple; and they 
 had very recently gone together to renew these oaths 
 in a stdl stronger manner, by performing the last 
 ceremony resorted to in this country, the mixing of 
 blood. ' To accomplish this barbarous idea, they 
 approarhed together the altar of Mahomet, and, 
 after swearing by the Koran, each to hold the 
 other's life sacred, they wounded themselves with 
 
 * Tally's Narrative, p. 217.
 
 40 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 their knives, and mixing their blood in a vessel, 
 shocking; to relate, they sipped of it." 
 
 But oaths had no effect in binding the youngest 
 brother, 8idi Useph. He was as faithless to the 
 second as to the Bey, whose assassination and the 
 treacherous manner in which it was accomplished, 
 form so striking a picture of these barbarians, that 
 we shall extract from the " Narrative" the relation 
 of this horrid transaction at full length. It is ne- 
 cessary to premise, that this accomplished hypo- 
 crite, Sidi Useph, had made to their mother (Lilla 
 Halluma) the proposal for a reconciliation, intreat- 
 ing that it might take place in her own apartment, 
 and in her presence. 
 
 When the Bey came to his mother's apartment, 
 Lilla Halhnna, perceiving his sabre, begged of him 
 to take it off before they began to converse, as she 
 assured him his brother had no arms about him. 
 The Bey, to whom there did not appear the smallest 
 reason for suspicion, willingly delivered his sabre to 
 his mother, who laid it on a window near which 
 they stood, and feeling herself convinced of the in- 
 tegrity of the Bey's intentions, and being completely 
 deceived in those of Sidi Useph's, she with plea- 
 sure led the two princes to the sofa, and seating 
 herself between them, held one of each of their 
 hands in hers, and, as she since said, looking at 
 them alternately, she prided herself on having thus 
 at last brought them together as friends. 
 
 The Bey, as soon as they were seated, endea- 
 voured to convince his brotiier, that though he came 
 prepared to go through the ceremony of making 
 peace with him, yet there was not the least occasion 
 for it on his part, for that he had no animosity to-
 
 The Bey treacherously murdered by his Brother. 41 
 
 wards him; but, on the contrary, as he had no sons 
 of his own living, he considered Sidi Hamet and 
 himself as such, and would continue to treat them 
 as a father whenever he came to the throne. Sidi 
 Useph declared himself satisfied, hut said, to make 
 Lilla Hal I u ma easy, there could be no objection, 
 after such professions from the Bey, to their both 
 attesting their friendship on the Koran ; the Bey 
 answered, *' With all my heart, I am ready." 
 Sidi Useph rose quickly from his seat, and called 
 loudly for the Koran, which was the signal he had 
 given his infernal blacks to bring his pistols, two of 
 which were immediately put into his hand, and he 
 instantly fired at the Bey, as he sat by Lilla Halluma's 
 side on the sofa. Lilla Halluma raising her hand 
 to save her son, had it most terribly mangled by 
 the splinters of the pistol, which burst, and shot the 
 Bey in his side. The Bey rose, and seizing his 
 sabre from the window, where Lilla Halluma had 
 laid it, he made a stroke at his brother, but Sidi 
 Useph instantly discharged a second pistol, and 
 shot the Bey through the heart. To add to the un- 
 merited affliction of Lilla Halluma, the murdered 
 prince, in his last moments, erroneously conceiving 
 she had betrayed him, exclaimed, " Ah, madam, is 
 this the last present you have reserved for your el- 
 dest son ?" What horror must such words from her 
 favourite son have produced in the breast of Lilla 
 Halluma in her present cruel situation ! Sidi Useph, 
 on seeing his brother fall, called to his blacks, say- 
 ing, " There is the Bey, finish him." They dragged 
 him from the spot, where he lay yet breathing, and 
 discharged all their pieces into him. The Bey'»
 
 42 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 wife, Lilla Aisher, hearing the sudden clash of arms, 
 broke from her women, who endeavoured to re- 
 strain her, and springing into the room, clasped the 
 bleeding body of her husband in her arms, while 
 Lilla Halluma, endeavouring to prevent Sidi Useph 
 from disfiguring the body, had thrown herself over 
 it, and fainted from the agony of her wounded hand. 
 Five of Sidi Useph's blacks were, at the same mo- 
 ment, stabbing the body of the Bey as it lay on the 
 floor; after which miserable triumph they fled with 
 their master. 
 
 Their wanton barbarity, in thus mangling the 
 Bey's remains, havmg produced the most dreadful 
 spectacle, Lilla Aisher, (the Bey's wife) at this sight 
 of horror, stripped off all her jewels and rich habits, 
 and threw them in the Bey's blood, and taking: from 
 off one of her blacks the worst baracan amongst 
 them, made that serve for her whole covering. Thus 
 habiting herself as a common slave, she ordered 
 those around to cover her with ashes, and in that 
 state she went directly to the Bashaw, and told him, 
 if he did not wish to see her poison herself and his 
 grandchildren, to give immediate orders that she 
 might quit the castle; for she '* would not live to 
 look on the walls of it, nor to walk over the stones 
 that could no longer be seen for the Bey's blood, 
 with which they were now covered." 
 
 As Sidi Useph left the castle, he met the great 
 Chiah, the venerable Bfey Abdallah, (the son of the 
 lastTurkish Bashaw,) who was much attached to the 
 royal family here, and beloved by the people. This 
 officer, seeing the dreadful state of Sidi Useph, be- 
 ing almost covered with his brother's blood, ex- 
 pressed his fears that something fatal had happened.
 
 Indifference of the People to atrocious Crimes. 43 
 
 Sidi Usepli aware, from this officer's religious prin- 
 ciples, he could not be supposed to approve of this 
 day's deeds, he therefore stabbed him to the heart 
 the moment they met, and the Chiah died instantly 
 at his feet. Sidi Useph's blacks, who were follow- 
 ing hin>, threw the Chiah's body into the street be- 
 fore the castle gates, and the hampers standing by, 
 carried it home to his unhappy family : it was bu- 
 ried at the same hour with the Bey's.* 
 
 So habi mated are the people to scenes of this 
 kind, that this atrocious murder caused little or no 
 disturbance in Tripoli. The public criers, by ordei* 
 of the Bashaw, proclaimed through the city, *' To 
 the Dey who is gone, God give a happy resurrection^ 
 and none of his late servants shall he molested or hurtj^ 
 Notwithstanding which, the followers of the mur- 
 derer were ordered by their master to put to death 
 the servants of the late Bey, wherever they should 
 find them. As to the murderer, the grave was 
 hardly closed over the brother he had so treache- 
 rously assassinated, when he gave a grand witer- 
 tainment, at which, the sounds of music, firins;', and 
 women, hired to sing and dance, were louder than at 
 the feast of a wedding. A few days after this, Sidi 
 Hamet their second son, was proclaimed Bey. 
 
 The high officers of state are the Hasnadar, or 
 treasurer, the Guardian B^ashi, or chief of the pa- 
 lace; the Kiahia, or lieutenant of the Pas^ba, who 
 occupies a magnificent sofa in the hall of the pa- 
 lace ; the second Kiahia ; five Ministers for the 
 different administrations ; the aga of the Turks, and 
 
 * See the interesting " Narrative," p. 527.
 
 44 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 the general of the Arabian cavalry. The Pasha's 
 guard consists of three hundred Turks, and one hun- 
 dred Mamelukes on horseback. 
 
 Besides this guard llie Sultan has no other regular 
 troops eml)odied. In time of war he convokes the 
 Arabian tribes who appear upon his summons with 
 their banners or standards at their head, ;.nd who 
 muster to the amount of ten thousand horse, and 
 forty thousand infantry. 
 
 T'he places of worship at Tripoli (we are inform- 
 ed by Ali Bey) consist of six mosques of the first 
 rank, with minarets, and six smaller ones. The 
 great mosque is magnificent, and of a handsome 
 architecture. The roof, composed of small cupolas, 
 is supported by sixteen elegant Doric columns of 
 a fine grey marble, which are said to have been 
 taken in a Christian vessel. It was built by the 
 grandfather of Sidi Yusuf. This building, as well 
 as others of the same kind, are by far superior to 
 those of Morocco ; they are of a majestic elevation, 
 and have lofty galleries for the singers, like Euro- 
 pean churches ; they are covered wilh carpets, 
 whereas the mosques even of the Sultan of Mo- 
 rocco's palace, have nothing but common mats, ex- 
 cept that of Mulei Edris at Fez, which was also 
 covered with carpets. 
 
 The minarets of Tripoli are of a cylindrical form, 
 very lofty, and with a gallery round them at the 
 upper part, in the middle of which, another small 
 steeple like a sentry-box is constructed. From this 
 gallery the muedden or crier at the appointed hours, 
 summons the people to prayers. 
 
 The worship is plainer and more mystical at 
 Morocco; here it is complicated and pompous.
 
 Religious Ceremonies. 45 
 
 On Fridays at noon several sinj^ers begin the cere- 
 mony by singing- verses from the Koran. Tiie Iman 
 mounts his private pulpit, which is nothing else but 
 a staircase as at Morocco, with this difference, that 
 it is here of stone, whereas at Morocco it is of 
 "wood. He turns towards the wall, and in a low 
 voice recites a prayer; which done, he turns to- 
 wards the people, and sings a sermon in the same 
 trembling and quivering voice, and with the same 
 tones and cadenzas of certain Spanish songs, called 
 Polo andalous. One part of the sermon varies, and 
 the preacher sings it from his manuscript; the 
 other part, which never changes, is recited by heart, 
 and simg in the same tune with prayers, and other 
 occasional formules. 
 
 At the end of the sermon, the 'Iman turns with 
 affectation towards the mehereb or the box which 
 is to his right hand, singing a prayer in a tiigher 
 tone, after which he turns with the same affecta- 
 tion towards the left side, and repeats the same 
 prayer; he afterwards descends two or three stairs 
 of the pulpit, and says some prayers for the Pasha 
 and for the people, to which the faithful say Amin. 
 Finally, the Jman goes do,wn to the mehereb, and 
 whilst the chorus is singing, he recites with the 
 people the canonical prayer, which is the same 
 as at Morocco. The cries from the minarets for the 
 convocation of the people for prayers, are not so 
 clamorous at Tripoli as they are at Morocco ; for 
 in some mosques children only are employed for 
 the function of mueddens, and their shrill voices 
 are not fit to excite devotion. 
 
 During Ramadan the funeral trumpets are not
 
 46 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 used here as in Morocco; the steeples are illumi- 
 nated every night, and the mueddens sing; tedious 
 prayers. The mosques are supported by funds 
 consisting of houses and lands, which are the gifts 
 of individuals. 
 
 The markets at Tripoli are well supplied, and 
 the prices are very moderate. Bread and meat are 
 of a good quality ; the vegetables are but indiffer- 
 ent. The cuscussu is not so well made here as 
 in Morocco. The country produces oil sufficient 
 for its consumption. Various kinds of grain are 
 used for their food ; some of them, of which I ob- 
 tained samples, are brought thither from the inte- 
 rior part of Africa. 
 
 The ground is common to every one as at Mo- 
 rocco, except when confined by a hedge, which 
 constitutes the property ; there are some inhabi- 
 tants who possess from fifteen to twenty enclosed 
 farms, and it is said that the Pasha's farm is very 
 handsome. As there are no fresh springs, the gar- 
 dens are watered with the briny water of some 
 wells, which is drawn up by a mule that sets in 
 motion a pulley, to which a bucket, or leathern pail 
 is fastened. 
 
 The Jews, who have three synagogues in this 
 place, are by far better treated than at Morocco. 
 They amount to about two thousand, and dress 
 like the Mahometans, with the only differehce, that 
 their caps and slippers must be black, their turban 
 is generally blue. There are about thirty of them 
 who are considered to be in good circumstances ; 
 the others are workmen, goldsmiths, &c. The trade 
 of Europe is almost entirely in their hands ; they
 
 Lux^uriance and Sterility of the Country. 47 
 
 correspond with Marseilles, Leghorn, Venice, Trieste, 
 and Malta * 
 
 A more fertile or luxuriant country than that 
 which is seen in the immediate neighbourhood of 
 this city cannot be imagined. Leaving the gate 
 which opens on the land-side, the prospect is ex- 
 tremely gratifying. Country houses, extensive plea- 
 sure gardens, groves of orange-trees, and innumer- 
 able fountains, together with the incessant progress 
 of vegetation, form an assemblage of rural beauty 
 which is very rarely to be met with. The fairy 
 scene does not, however, reach more than live miles 
 inland, wlien nothing but an innumerable waste of 
 sand is presented to the eye, and forms a striking 
 contrast with the cultivated fields, to whose edges 
 it approaches. 
 
 On the desert towards Egypt are islands of inha- 
 bitants, environed by oceans of sand, that com- 
 pletely separate them from the rest of the world, 
 and from each other. None attempt to approach 
 their habitations through the burning regions which 
 surround them. A few of these islands are known 
 to the caravans, where they only stop in case of ex- 
 treme necessity for refreshments and repos^ after 
 the hardships of a journey more dreadful than can 
 be conceived, and which would often not be com- 
 pleted but by the help of the compass, and a know- 
 ledge of astronomy. The vast and sudden shifting 
 of the sand, sinking mountains in one spot, and 
 raising them in another, so completely varies the 
 
 * See more respecting Tripoli, iu the interesting TraTels of the 
 eBlightened Ali Bey, vol. i. p. 231 .
 
 48 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 aspect of the way, that the traveller bewildered 
 knows not where he is, except by the above helps. 
 
 KINGDOM OF TUNIS. 
 
 Tunis, which was once a sovereignty of great ex- 
 tent, is at present bounded on the north and east by 
 the Mediterranean sea; on the west by Algiers ; on 
 the south, by Tripoli and part of Biledulgerid : and 
 extends from thirty-three degrees thirty minutes, to 
 thirty-seven degrees twelve minutes of north lati- 
 tude, and is about two hundred and twenty miles 
 in length, and one hundred and seventy in breadth. 
 This country is divided into two parts, denominated 
 the summer and winter circuits; which the Bey 
 annually traverses at those seasons with a sort of 
 flying camp. The principal rivers are the Zaine, 
 which separates Tunis from Algiers; the Megerda, 
 or ancient Bagrada; the Miliana, supposed to be 
 the Catada of antiquity ; and the Gabbs, thought to 
 be the Triton. 
 
 The air of Tunis is salubrious, and its soil fertile, 
 except towards the south, where barren deserts and 
 moving hills of sand, occupy a large extent, and 
 where the heat is extreme. During the dog-days, 
 the winds which pass over the country are exces- 
 sively hot and suflbcating : and the natives are un- 
 der the necessity of sprinklmg their floors with \ra- 
 ter, and using other refreshing expedients. 
 
 Before enumerating the cities, that are now most 
 distinguished in this country, we shall pay a short 
 and melancholy tribute to those which were for- 
 merly the admiration of the world ; and of which
 
 Antiquities of Tunis. 4^ 
 
 h would be difficult to fix the site, did not the page 
 of antiquity aid our researches ; and surely nothing 
 can furnisli the contemplative mind with more ra- 
 tional improvement, than a view of the ruins and 
 desolation that every where abounds ! When he 
 behohls the solitary arrh, or sublime portico, whi- 
 ther history informs him the jjreat names of anti- 
 quity have resorted, and where a succession of va- 
 rious nations have given law, what must be his re- 
 flections, or the feelings of his mind? Does not 
 every mouldering colunm, every venerable pile of 
 ruins, read the most instructive and important les- 
 sons (»n the weakness, the vanity, and the instability 
 of every thing human? Does not the melancholy re- 
 flection on the many thousands that sleep below, 
 who once eidivened the arts, or graced the trium- 
 phal car, imprint on the tablets of our hearts " what 
 shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue." 
 
 Carthage, once the celebrated rival of Rome, has 
 scarcely withstood the ravages of time. Its an- 
 cient harbour is nearly choked up by the mud 
 thrown up by the river Megerda, and the ruins of 
 the city are nearly three miles from the sea, though 
 it formerly extended to the very shore. The ancient 
 Utica has suffered still more from the desolating 
 hand of time, than even Carthage ; and, owing to 
 the recession of the sea, and the conflux of mud, its 
 situation cannot be determined with accuracy and 
 precision. To<heeastof Carthage lies the Aqui- 
 laria of the ancients, where Curio landed the troops 
 who were cut to pieces by Sabura. The amphi- 
 theatre of Jemme, the Tristra of Caesar, is another 
 piece of antiquity. 
 
 Tunis, the ancient Tunes, and the present capital 
 
 2 H
 
 60 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 of this kingdom, is neither remarkable for the num- 
 ber of its inhabitants, nor for its public or private 
 edifices; and in these respects is much inferior to 
 Algiers, It is greatly in want of good water ; but 
 excepting tliis disadvantage, no place abounds more 
 in all the necessary articles of life. The city has 
 five gates, none of which are distinguished for their 
 beauty. The houses, in general, are nnly one story 
 in height, with flat roofs. The Bey's palace, which 
 is the most magnificent edifice in this city, contains 
 four superb gates, one in each front, with a lofty 
 turret at every angle. The courts are spacious, the 
 galleries profusely ornamented, and the diflerent 
 apartments very splendid. In Tunis are several 
 colleges and schools, in which the doctors of the 
 laws, and other literati, are maintained. The prin- 
 cipal fortification is the castle, which being situated 
 upon an eminence, commands the whole place, and 
 has a grand appearance. 
 
 The other cities of note are Bizerta, near which is 
 supposed to be the Sinus Hipponensis of the an- 
 cients ; Nabel, the Colonia Neapolis of Ptolemy ; 
 Cairwan, the Vico Augusti of antiquity; Beja, the 
 Vecca of Sallust ; and Gassa, anciently denominated 
 Capsa. 
 
 Tunis resembles Algiers, in that it exhibits the 
 same religion, the same government, the same man- 
 ners, and the same events, which transferred it from 
 the hands of the Arabs into those of the Turks; 
 weakened the authority of the latter, and at length 
 brought it to such a slate of debility, as to be able 
 to nominate and appoint its own masters under the 
 title of beys, but without entirely rejecting the Turk- 
 ish influence. Till the commencement of the pre-
 
 Manners of the Tunisians^ 61 
 
 sent century, the grand seignior appointed deys to 
 the government of Tunis; but they were very dif- 
 ferent from those of Al;j,iers, being representatives 
 without power or authority. By the assistance of a 
 militia, composed of Moors, Arabs, and above all, 
 renegadoes, the beys rendered themselves com- 
 pletely absolute and independent. The grand seig- 
 nior no longer sends a dty to Tunis. The divan. 
 being chiefly composed of friends and creatures of 
 the bey, seems rather assembled for the purpose of 
 giving its approbation to his resolutions, than for 
 consulting on the justice and expediency of any 
 measure ; and he is entirely independent of the 
 Porte. 
 
 But though we have said that the Tunisians greatly 
 resemble the Algerines, they are agreeably distin- 
 guished from them by their superior politeness and 
 civilization, and by their being exempted from that 
 pride, insolence, and bar!)arity, for which the na- 
 tives of this coast are justly stigmatized. They are 
 affable in their manners, friendly and obliging to 
 strangers, and faithful to their compacts. The ex- 
 tension of commerce, the improvement of manufac- 
 tures, and the friendships they have formed with 
 the European powers, have no doubt contributed 
 to this happy effect on their minds ; and as these 
 circumstances tend to extirpate narrow and con- 
 fined ideas, they by no means treat christians with 
 contempt ; on the contrary, they allow them that 
 justice, which in vain is expected from their neigh- 
 bours. Though they keep some christian slaves, 
 and are not entirely free from that depredatory spirit, 
 which characterizes the inhabitants of the Barbary 
 coast, they treat the c^iptive^ with a considerable
 
 52 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 share of lenity and indulgence; and the representa- 
 tions of the European consuls, in iheir favour, are 
 always heard with candour and attention, and ac- 
 ceded to with the greatest readiness and alacrity. 
 
 In England, where female beauty abounds, the 
 Tunisian women in general would he reckoned hand- 
 some, and their offspring are horn with the finest com- 
 plexions that can possibly be conceived. The boys, 
 however, are soon tinged with a svvarthy complexion, 
 by the heat of the sun; but the girls, who are re- 
 tained at home, preserve their native beauty till 
 they are past child-bearing, which is usually about 
 the age of thirty. The Tunisian women are fre- 
 quently mothers at eleven ; and as their longevity is 
 nearly proportioned to that of Europeans, they fre- 
 quently live to see several generations of their chil- 
 dren. 
 
 The dress of both sexes, though nearly of the 
 same form as that of the Algerines, is considerably 
 neater, and more genteel. When they see com- 
 pany, or go abroad, they wear drawers; but when 
 at home, they sometimes only bind a piece of linen 
 round their waist. The females are extremely fond 
 of having long hair, which they collect together, 
 And plait with ribbands; and when nature does not 
 seem to have been sufficiently liberal in this re- 
 spect, like the fair of more polished countries, they 
 add to the natural stock by borrowed ornaments. 
 Over the hair thus decorated, they closely tie the 
 corners of a triangular piece of needle-work. La- 
 dies of superior rank wear a head-dress of the same 
 figure, which is composed of thin plates of gold or 
 silver cut through, and engraved in imitation of lace. 
 Their dress is rendered complete, by having a fine
 
 Particular Customs, 53 
 
 liaiulkerchief, hound close over this ornament, and 
 falhng negligently down on the collected hair. Their 
 eye-lashes, and the edges of their eye~<ids, are tinged 
 with pulverized lead-ore. This operation is per- 
 formed by dipping a wooden bodkin into the pow- 
 der, and drawing it under the eye-lid. It commu- 
 nicates a sable hue, which is considered by the Tu- 
 nisians as becoming every complexion, and consti- 
 tuting the perfection of beauty. The antiquity of 
 this custom has been proved by an ingenious and 
 learned divine, from the sacred scriptures ; which 
 expressly mentions, according to the Hebrew ver- 
 sion, that " Jezebel decorated her eyes with the 
 powder of lead-ore." 
 
 Jealousy, which appears to be endemial in Bar- 
 bary, prevails less at Tunis than perhaps in any 
 other state, which we have described in this part 
 of the globe. As their religion obliges them to fre- 
 quent ablutions, the baths are much resorted t0| 
 particularly by the ladies, who, in their washings, 
 make great use of odoriferous gums, and rich per- 
 fumes. 
 
 The taverns are under much better regulations 
 than those in the neighbouring countries; and even 
 a Turk, who is guilty of intoxication, and behaves 
 himself insolently, may be deprived of his turban 
 till he has made satisfaction. They sell only white 
 wine, which is produced in great plenty in the sur- 
 rounding country, and is extremely cheap i\\i(\ good. 
 Provisions are so plentiful, that ilie puich;is(-r of a 
 single quart of wine at a tavern, has two or three 
 dishes of fish or flesh placed before him. Though the 
 natives do not abstain entirely from wine, very few 
 drink it to an excess ; but they are very fond of a
 
 64 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 compounded drug called harix, which inspires them 
 with a dauntless resolution, and exhilarates the 
 spirits, and seems possessed of nearly the same qua- 
 lities as opium. 
 
 As the r< ligion of the Tunisians obliges them to 
 attend puMic devotion by break of day, they are 
 very early risers. After performing their morning 
 prayers, they follow their respective employments 
 till afternoon, when they again repair to the mosques, 
 and the business of the day ceases. The Arabs can 
 only be roused by the most pressing necessity to 
 diligence or attention in trade and agriculture; their 
 lives being one continual round of indolence and 
 amusement. To hunt the lions and other wild ani- 
 mals, constitutes a favourite diversion ; and the in- 
 habitants of a whole district will frequently assemble 
 for this purpose. On these occasions they form a 
 circle of several miles in circumference, which is 
 gradually coniracted, till the animals are diven into 
 the centre, where they are immediately dispatched. 
 The ancient diversion of hawking is still practised 
 in this country, which affords great variety of hawks 
 and falcons. 
 
 If we observe the manners and customs of these 
 people, we shall perceive, that in a very eminent 
 degree, they partake of the simplicity of the first 
 ages ; and \( we except the article of religion, we 
 shall find that the Arabs in this state, appear ex- 
 actly to answer the character and description given 
 of them two thousand years ago. Their common 
 mode of salutation is, " Peace be unto thee !" and 
 when inferiors pay their respects to their superiors, 
 they kiss their feet, knees, or garments; which is 
 also the manner in which children express their de-
 
 Houses of the Tunisians. 55 
 
 ference and duty to parents and relatives. In their 
 hospitalitj to strangers, they revive the reme^nbrance 
 of the patriarchal customs; and tlie greatest prince 
 will not disdain to fetch a lamb from his Hock, 
 which is prepared and dressed for the " wayfaring 
 man," by the royal consort herself. It is custo- 
 mary for the host to wash the feet of his guests, 
 and to wait on them during tiie entertainment, with 
 officious kindness. But, notwithstanding tiiis ap- 
 parent simplicity and benevolence, instances have 
 occurred, in which the host has made free with the 
 property of the unsuspicious traveller, on whom he 
 had so obsequiously attended. 
 
 In the habitation of a person of quality, benches 
 may be perceived at the porch or gateway, where 
 the owner receives the visits of his friends, and 
 transacts business. Few persons, even of the near- 
 est relatives, are admitted into the interior parts of 
 the house, except on extraordinary occasions. 
 Every city or village has a piece of ground allotted 
 for sepulture, in which every family of distinction 
 has a particular cemetery inclosed with a wall, 
 where they deposit the bodies in separate graves, 
 with stones at the head and feet of each, and either 
 plant the intermediate space with flowers, or cover 
 it with tiles. Persons of quality generally have a 
 square room, with a handsome cupola erected over 
 their graves. This being kept constantly white and 
 clean, illustrates the expression of Christ, where he 
 compares hypocrites to whited sepulchres, which 
 appear outwardly beautiful, but within are full of 
 dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 
 
 It is not easy to ascertain the amount of the re- 
 venues of the Beys of Tunis ; as they arise from an-
 
 5(5 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Dual tributes paid by the Moors and Arabs, who 
 often evAde them ; and from duties on imports and 
 exports, wliich are in a constant state of fluctuation. 
 The forces of this country consist of renegadoes 
 and a few militia, who are well paid and properly 
 disciplined, and who are kept in garrisons and sea- 
 ports ; tiiere being no janissaries here as at Algiers. 
 The Beys, however, upon emergencies, command a 
 numerous army of Moors and Arai)s, but little de- 
 pendence is to be placed on their fidelity. The na- 
 val strength of Tunis is very inconsiderable, and 
 mucli inferior to what might be expected from a 
 commercial and maritime nation. There are sel- 
 dom more than four ships belonging to government, 
 the largest of which do not carry more than forty 
 guns, and all of them are badly equipped for ser- 
 vice. These, with thirty galliots, commanded by 
 renegadoes, compose the whole naval force of the 
 beys. Other vessels, however, are fitted out by 
 private adventurers, who allow certain perquisites 
 to the Bey on all captures. 
 
 Though the duties on anchorage, and loading and 
 unloading goods, in this kingdom, are excessively 
 high, a considerable trade is carried on between the 
 Tunisians, and several European nations. This 
 country exports to France corn, oil, beans, wax, 
 hides, and Morocco leather; and receives in ex- 
 change Languedoc cloths, iron, steel, hard ware, 
 paper, brandy, sugar, and spices. In the manage- 
 ment of the Italian trade, Jews are principally coii- 
 cerned, who export the same commodities as those 
 sent to France, and import damasks, gold and silver 
 tissue, with several sorts of silks and woollen stuffs. 
 To the Levant, the Moors and Turks export gold
 
 Punishment of Criminals. 57 
 
 dust, bales of caps, and lead ; and receive in return 
 silks, calicoes, iron, ahnn, and vermilion. Into 
 Egypt tliev carry the same kind of goods, which are 
 exchanged for rice, linen, flax, cotton, and coffee. 
 The commerce between England and Tunis is un- 
 certain, and seems little attended to. 
 
 Ail public treaties are written in the Arabic lan- 
 guap^e ; which, however, has lost much of its ori- 
 ginal beauty and energy. The great number of re- 
 negadoes from Spain, France, and Italy, who are 
 encouraged for disclaiming Christianity, and ad- 
 mired for their superior abilities, have rendered their 
 respective languages very familiar in this country; 
 but the Lingua Franca is principally nsed in com- 
 mercial transactions with foreign nations. 
 
 The punishments inflicted on criminals are nearly 
 similar to those practised in Algiers ; but supersti- 
 tion has taught them the most dreadful tortures re- 
 lative to such renegadoes as return to Christianity. 
 These are either inclosed in a cloth dipped in melted 
 pitch, and afterwards set on fire; or being wholly 
 covered, except the face and head, those parts are 
 anointed with honey, which exposes them to a mi- 
 serable and lingering death from the stings of wasps 
 and other insects. 
 
 The Moors of Tunis, as we have already ob- 
 served, appear to be less jealous of their wives than 
 the Turks are. In Turkey, the fair sex are guarded 
 by eunuchs: in Tunis, they have none, nor can the 
 women be said to be guarded at all. They are 
 served by Christian slaves, and, which is curious, 
 they fear less to be seen by Christians than by Mus- 
 sulmen. It is quite uncommon for a Moorish lady 
 to cover herself, either before a Christian slave or 
 
 2 I
 
 58 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Jew. Does this arise from the contempt with 
 which Christian slaves and Jews are considered ? 
 A Christian surgeon, who attended the family of 
 the present Bey, was strongly suspected of an in- 
 trigue with one of his wives. This was reported 
 to the prince, who was promised ocular proof of 
 the guilt of the parties. The bed where the sur- 
 geon had lain was found warm, and his slippers by 
 the bed-side; but he had effected his escape through 
 a private door, which was discovered in the arras. 
 In the morning the Bey sent for him, gave him 
 a purse of money, and desired him to get off the 
 best way he could from his dominions, otherwise he 
 could no longer be answerable for his life. On the 
 woman, he inflicted no farther punishment, than 
 banishing her ever afterwards from his bed. 
 
 The Tunisians have a curious custom of fatten- 
 ing up their young ladies for marriage. A girl after 
 she is betrothed, is cooped up in a small room. 
 Shackles of silver and gold are put upon her ankles 
 and wrists, as a piece of dress. If she is to be 
 married to a man who has discharged, dispatched, 
 or lost a former wife, the shackles which the former 
 wife wore, are put upon the new bride's limbs ; 
 and she is fed until they are filled up to the proper 
 thickness. This is sometimes no easy matter ; par- 
 ticularly if the former wife was fat, and the present 
 should be of a slender form. The food used for 
 this custom, worthy of barbarians, is a seed called 
 drough ; which is of an extraordinary fattening 
 quality, and also famous for rendering tlie milk of 
 nurses rich and abundant. With this seed and their 
 national dish cuscusu^ the bride is literally crammed, 
 and many actually die under the spoon.
 
 Arbitrary Disposition of the Bey. 59 
 
 A plurality of wives is allowed in Barbary, as 
 well as in all Mahometan countries. A man here 
 may possess four wives, and as many concubines 
 as he can maintain. It seldom happens, however, 
 that a Moor has more than two wives at the same 
 time; but ihe ceremony of divorcing them is so 
 simple, that he may change as often as he finds it 
 convenient.* 
 
 The Bey of Tunis reserves to himself the privi- 
 lege of driving in a carriage with four wheels. All 
 Consuls and people of the country, therefore, are 
 obliged to have a carriage with only two. He has 
 become of late, very fond of driving a gig himself. 
 The American Consul had a very handsome one, 
 which his excellency saw ; and as he liked it, he 
 sent for it with very little ceremony, saying, "that 
 he needed it, and that the Consul must get ano- 
 ther." The Bey is very kind in this respect. A 
 wine-merchant at Tunis had lately a fine mule, 
 which his excellency thought too good for a mer- 
 chant, but very tit for a present from a prince. 
 Having a present to make in Malta, he took it him- 
 self; and thus maintained his dignity, without in- 
 creasing the expences of the state. 
 
 The exports of the regency of Tunis, consist of 
 grain of divers qualities, oil, wool, hides, wax, soap, 
 dates, senna, madder roots, coral, oil of roses, 
 ostrich feathers, &c. 
 
 Among the principal mamifactures of Tunis, are 
 scull-caps for Mahometans, woollen stuflTs, and Mo- 
 rocco leather. The manufacture of scull-caps, 
 which employs several thousand persons, is thus 
 
 * See Macgill's Account of Tunis, p. 89.
 
 60 PICTURE OF BARBARY* 
 
 conducted : the wool is first combed and spun into 
 a coarse soft thread, which is twined, and knit into 
 caps of a conical form, like a niuht-c;ip. I'hese are 
 next soaked in oil ; and, on a form put upon the 
 knee of the manufacturer, are milled down, by turn- 
 ing and rubbing the sides together. By this process, 
 they are reduced to about one-third of their original 
 size. When the cap begins to become thick, sjreat 
 care is taken to bring out the nap. This is done 
 by brushing it down with a curious long bur, which 
 nature seems to have made for the purpose. A 
 pair ot large sheers is used to clip off the parts of 
 the wool which may be too long for the heanty of 
 the manufacture. The caps thus reduced, lirushed 
 and clipped, become of the form of a semi globe. 
 In this slate they are sent to Zawan, about thirty 
 miles distant frouj Tunis, wher^r they are dyed, for 
 the most part, of a deep crimson colour It is wor- 
 thy of observation, that the water at Zawan is the 
 only water in the whole regency which can be used 
 for this purpose. It has the quality of giving a par- 
 ticular riiihness to the dye; and it is even disputed 
 whether any other water can give a colour so beauti- 
 ful and so well fixed, for the colour never fades. The 
 caps thus dyed, are returned to the manufacturer; 
 are milled again somewhat thicker, combed, and 
 clipped with still greater care than before ; and 
 finally, dressed in a manner so elegant, that they 
 actually appear to be made of rich velvet. 
 
 It is an erroneous opinion that the caps of Tunis 
 are knit double, like a rloubie cone, or a double 
 night- cap. They are entirely single, and it is 
 only in the nulling that the edge of the cap as- 
 sumes the appearance of being double.
 
 Manufactures of Tunis, 61 
 
 After having gone througli all the operations de- 
 scribed, the cap is carefully examined by tlie master 
 of the shop or fiictory, and all its faulty parts are 
 corrected. A neat tassel of mazarine blue silk 
 thread is then sewed to the top, and it is considered 
 as finished. 
 
 The manufacture of caps in Tunis, is upon an 
 establishment which would do no discredit to an 
 European country, and is much superior to what 
 could liave been expected, under sucii a govern- 
 ment, and in such a state of society as that of 
 Tunis.* 
 
 The woollen stuffs manufactured in the regency 
 of Tunis, are of a thin texture resenii)lin<i; in some 
 degree a soft ser^e. They are made, frays Mr. Mac- 
 gill, from the finest wool produced in the country, 
 and are really of good workmanship. All classes 
 of Moors who have any covering, are dressed, more 
 or less, in this manufacture. Thousands have no 
 other dress than a scull-cap, and a blanket thrown 
 round the body and shoulders in several turns. 
 Others have turbans and girdles of woollen ; and 
 almost all have a cloak, or Bernous, as it is called. 
 The fair sex have a robe of woollen gauze thrown 
 roujjd them, some with silk stripes; and many of 
 them wear shawls, both long and square, of the 
 same species of manufacture. This kind of woollen 
 stuff is also used for blankets, which are soft, light, 
 and warm. But besides the immense quantities 
 which are used in the country in these various 
 ways, a great portion is exported both to Europe 
 
 See Macgill'3 Account of Tuuis, p. 154.
 
 62 PICTURE OF BARBARV. 
 
 and the Levant. The shawls are dyed of different 
 brilliant colours, and are to be seen in every part 
 and city of Turkey. 
 
 It is imjDossible to give a true idea of the extent 
 of this manufacture. Thousands are employed in 
 it, in different parts of the state ; and it consumes 
 annually thousands of cantars of wool. 
 ^ The nianufacture of Morocco leather is also con- 
 siderable. Great quantities of dyed skins are an- 
 nually exported from the country, and as almost all 
 the Moors wear red leather slippers, or boots, the 
 consumption of this article in the regeacy, is by no 
 means trifling. 
 
 The imports of Tunis consist of cloth, British 
 muslins, Irish linen, serges, druggets, coffee, sugar, 
 spices, alum, vitriol, tin, lead, iron, silk, Spanish 
 wool, wine, (of which, one thousand pipes are 
 annually drunk at Tunis,*) spirits, cutlery, cochi- 
 neal, gum-lac, vermilion, indigo, pernambuco, &c. 
 But for farther information on this subject, consult 
 Mr. Macgill's very correct and interesting 'Account 
 of Tunis,' before quoted. 
 
 *This is a quantity more than might be expected in a Mahome- 
 tan country, wiiere there are few Christians. It is nevertheless 
 true ; for many of the Moors dritili wine, though contrary to their 
 law. 
 
 French wine is most generally drunk ; and as strong wines are 
 heating, it seems best adapted to the climate. Some wine is also 
 imported from Sardinia, Spain, and Sicily ; but French wine is at 
 ail times ))referred. 
 
 It is contrary to the law of the Mussulman to admit wine into 
 his country, but the thirst of gain causes him to forget his religion. 
 The Bey freely grants his tescare for the introduction of it, under 
 the pretence that it is vinegar which is imported.
 
 63 
 
 KINGDOM OF MOROCCO AND FEZ. 
 
 Morocco and Fez, which now compose one empire, 
 extend from the twenty-eight to the thirty-sixth de- 
 gree of north latitude, and from the fourth to the ele- 
 venth of west longitude, from London ; being about 
 five hundred miles long, and two hundred and fifty 
 broad. It comprehends Fez, Morocco Proper, and 
 Suz; besides the kingdom of Tafilet and the province 
 of Gesula. The climate is in general hot, but not 
 insalubrious, if compared with the neighbouring 
 countries of Tunis and Algiers. Mount Atlas sur- 
 rounds this country on the south, in the form of 
 a crescent ; and is the source of some considerable 
 rivers, which, after a meandering course of many 
 leagues, empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean. 
 The principal rivers are the Mulvya, which divides 
 the kingdom of Fez from Algiers ; the Taga, which 
 discharges its waters into the Mediterranean, near 
 the Straits of Gibraltar; the Cebu, which in its 
 course passes between two rocks of prodigious 
 height, and falls into the sea near Mamon ; the Oni- 
 mirabih, commonly denominated the Marbeah, 
 which after a long course, discharges itself into the 
 ocean, and forms a capacious bay on the east side 
 ofAzamor; the Tonsist, which empties itself into 
 the sea, near the port of Saffi; and the Suz, that 
 gives name to the province through which it flows, 
 and forms its boundary. 
 
 Most of the towns which Europeans are allowed 
 to enter, being sea-ports, have the advantage of
 
 ^4 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 beii)0' frequently refreshed with sea breezes; and 
 Moi^adore, though so far to the southward, from | 
 being" sul)ject in the summer season to have the ' 
 \vin(i ie:;nlarly at north-west; is quite as cool as the 
 more te;nperate climates of Europe, Morocco and 
 Tarudant are inland, and therefore, though nearly 
 in tlie same degree of latitude as Mogadore, are 
 much hr)tter; their great heats, however, are con- 
 siderably lessened by their vicinity to the Atlas, the 
 higher parts of wiiich are the whole year covered 
 with snou, and often favour them vvith cool and 
 refresiiing breezes. 
 
 The soil of the empire of Morocco is naturally very 
 fertile, and, vvith proper cultivation and attention, is 
 capable of producing all the luxuries of the eastern 
 and western worlds. It must, however, be confessed, 
 that ou some parts of the sea coast, particularly 
 where it is mountainous, like every other country 
 under similar circumstances, the soil is sandy and 
 barren ; but wherever there is the least appearance 
 of a plain, such as tliat between Larache and Ma- 
 raora, and in the neighbourhood of Morocco and 
 Tarudant, the soil is black and rich. Indeed I am 
 informed from the best authority, that at Tatilet, and 
 throughout most of the interior parts of the empire, 
 its fertility is beyond imagination. 
 
 From the slight cultivation it at present receives, 
 which is merely the burning of the stubble before 
 the autumnal rains come on, and ploughing it about 
 six inches deep, the earth produces, at a very early 
 season, excellent wheat and barley, though no oats, 
 Indian corn, alderoy, beans, pease, hemp, and flax ; 
 oranges, lemons, citrons, pomegranates, melons, wa- 
 ter-melons, olives, figs, almonds, grapes, dates, ap-
 
 Empire of Morocco. 65 
 
 pies, pears, cherries, plums, and in fact all the 
 fruits to be found in the soutliern provinces of Spain 
 and Portugal. The people here preserve their 
 grain in matamores, holes made in the earth, lined 
 and covered witii straw, on which earth is placed in 
 a pyramidal form, to prevent the rain from soaking 
 through. l\\ these stores corn has been kept', five or 
 six years, without undergoing any very raaterial 
 change. 
 
 As little encouragement, however, is extended to 
 industry in this country, many of their fruits which 
 require attention, particularly their grapes, apples, 
 pears, plums, &c. do not arrive at that perfection to 
 vi'hich they are brought in Europe. Could, indeed, a 
 proper spirit for agiicullure and foreign commerce be 
 introduced in the country, or, in other words, could 
 the sovereign be persuaded, that by suffering his 
 subjects to be enriched he would improve his own 
 treasurj% this empire, from its convenient situation 
 with respect to Europe, and from the natural luxu- 
 riance and fertility of its soil, might become of the 
 highest political and commercial importance. The 
 only materal impediment to commerce is the incon- 
 venience and insecurity of the ports. 
 
 It is melancholy, in traversing the immense tract 
 of so fine a country, to observe so much land lyiog 
 waste and uncultivated, which by a very little atten- 
 tion would be capable of producing an inexhaust- 
 ible treasure to its inhabitants. From this repre- 
 sentation it would scarcely be supposed credible, 
 that Spain, which is also a fine country, and a civi- 
 lized nation, should be obliged to remit to the em- 
 peror very large presents of money, to induce him 
 to allow his subjects to export corn, as well as most 
 
 2 K
 
 66 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 other kinds of provisions and fruits, from Tangier 
 and Tetuan. Indeed, the southern provinces of 
 Spain can hardly exist without this supply. To 
 what are we to attribute this circumstance? Is it 
 that Morocco is so much more fertile than Spain, 
 that it produces a redundance with scarcely any 
 cultivation ; or is the indolence of the Spaniards 
 superior to that of the Moors themselves ? 
 
 The Jews in most of the towns of the empire 
 make wine ; but, either owing to the grape? not be- 
 ing in such perfection as those of Europe, or to an 
 improper mode of preparing it, its flavour proves 
 but very indifferent. They also distil a species of 
 brandy from figs and raisins, well known in tkat 
 country by the name of aquadent. This liquor has 
 a disagreeable taste, but in point of strength is little 
 inferior to spirits of wine. It is drunk without di- 
 lution, very freely, by the Jews on all their feasts 
 or days of rejoicing ; and there are very few of the 
 Moors who are disposed to forego any private op- 
 portunity of taking their share of it also. 
 
 The Moors cultivate tobacco; there is a species 
 of it near Mequinez, which affords snuff, the flavour 
 of which is very little inferior to maccaba. To the 
 southward we meet with the palm or date tree, and 
 the arga, bearing a nut of the almond species, with 
 the olive, from both of which the inhabitants extract 
 great quantities of oil, which constitutes a consider- 
 able part of their exports to foreign countries. 
 There is also an infinite variety of shrubs and plants, 
 such as the prickly pear, the aloe, &c. all in short 
 that are to be found in Spain and Portugal. Cot- 
 ton, wax, honey, salt, transparent gum, and gum 
 sandarac, are all productions of this empire.
 
 Morocco Afiimals. 67 
 
 In the mountains of Atlas there are numerous 
 iron mines ; but as the Moors do not understand 
 the mode of working iron, those min«'S prove of no 
 use to them, and they are therefore ()l)liged to pro- 
 cure that article from Europe. Tiie neighbourhood 
 ofTarudant producesminesofcop[)C'r; andthe Moors 
 assert, that in the Atiasthere arealsosomeofgold and 
 silver, which the emperor will not allow to be touched. 
 But if this assertion had any foundation in truth, the 
 Brebes, who inhabit these mountains, and who are 
 mere nominal subjects, and pay but little respect 
 to the government of Morocco, would long before 
 this time have discovered them. It is, however, 
 probable that this vast chain of mountains may con- 
 tain productions which might be converted to very 
 valuable purposes; but, owing to a want of emula- 
 tion on the part of the inhabitants, and Europeans 
 not being allowed to attempt any new discoveries, 
 a knowledge of them is not to be attained. 
 
 " The domestic animals of Morocco, (says Mr. 
 Lempriere,) are much the same as those of Europe, 
 excepting the camel, which is the most useful ani- 
 mal in this quarter of the globe, both on account of 
 the great fatigue which it is capable of undergoing, 
 and the little subsistence it requires. Camels are 
 employed here for all the purposes of agriculture 
 and commerce, and are very numerous. It has 
 been asserted, that dromedaries are indigenous to 
 this country ; but in the course of my whole tour I 
 could hear of none, except those which are in the 
 possession of the emperor ; and he, as I discovered, 
 procures them from the coast of Guinea. These 
 are the fleetest animals for travelling that are 
 known, and are only used by the emperor upon ur-
 
 68 PICTDRE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Sfent occasions. I was informed that their pace is 
 sometimes so exceedingly swift, that their riders 
 are obliged to tic a sash round their waists to pre- 
 serve the power of respiration, and cover the whole 
 of the face except the eyes, to prevent their suffer- 
 ing from the strong current of air occasioned by the 
 rapid motion of the animal. It is computed that, 
 in an ordinary way, a dromedary will perform a 
 journey of five hundred miles in four days. 
 
 " The oxen and sheep of this country are small ; 
 but their flesh is well flavoure<l. The hides of the 
 former, and the wool of the latter, are both articles 
 of expoilation. l.^he sheep with large tails, distin- 
 guished in England by tiie name of Barbary sheep, 
 are here very scarce, and are more iuf'igenous to 
 the eastern parts of Barbary. The horses, for want 
 of attention in keeping up the breed, are much less 
 valuable than they formerly were ; there are still, 
 however, some few that are good in ihe cormtry, 
 and those are generally strong, and have great spirit. 
 The mules are numerous and useful, though I do 
 not think them equal to those of Spain, either in 
 size or beauty. 
 
 " Fowls and pigeons are remarkably plentiful and 
 good in the empire of Morocco; but ducks are 
 scarce, and geese and turkeys I never saw there. 
 The country abounds with the red-legged partridge. 
 In the proper season the fiankolin, a bird of the 
 partridge species, of a delicious flavour, and beau- 
 tiful plumage, is found iiere ; also a few woodcocks, 
 snipes in great numbers, all kinds of water-fowl, 
 and a variety of small singing birds. Storks are 
 very plentiful, and, as they are never molested by 
 the Moors, who are taught to believe it sinful to
 
 Morocco Camelcon. 69 
 
 destroy them, they become quite domestic and 
 tame. They are generally to be seen feeding among 
 ruinous walls and castles, where they pick up in- 
 sects and snakes. Hares, rabbits, antelopes, por- 
 cupines, apes, foxes, wild-cats, &c. are all natives 
 of this empire. 
 
 " Among the ferocious animals may be enumerated 
 wolves and wild boars, which are spread over the 
 whole empire ; and in the southern provinces there 
 are lions, tigers, and monstrous serpents. 
 
 " During my residence in the country, I had fre- 
 quent opportunities of examining that most singular 
 of the animal productions, the cameleon. Though 
 it is hardly necessary to adduce any proof to the 
 philosophers of the present day against the vulgar 
 error, that it feeds oi^ly upon air, yet it may afford 
 some satisfaction to my readers to be told, that I 
 had an opportunity of seeing a complete refutation 
 of this opinion at Mogadore. A gentleman of my 
 acquaintance there had in his possession a came- 
 leon, the dexterity of which in procuring its food 
 I had ample means of observing. The fact is, its 
 principal support is flies, \vhich it catches by dart- 
 ing at tiienj an exceedingly long tongue, covered 
 with a matter so very glutinous, that if it but 
 touches an insect it is impossible for it to escape. 
 The most singular part of its conformation, how- 
 ever, (if, perhaps, we except the power of varying 
 its colours) is the eye, the muscles of which are so 
 constructed that it can move the ball quite round ; 
 and 1 believe it exists the only known instance in 
 all animated nature of a creature which is able to 
 direct its vision to two different objects at the same 
 time, however those objects may be situated Ex-
 
 70 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 cept in the act of darting out its tongue to procure 
 subsistence, iis motions are remarkably slow." 
 ' Although it must be allowed that the climate of 
 Morocco is delightful to a degree, yet it is occa- 
 sionally subject to great droughts, which naturally 
 produce immense swarms of locusts, the most de- 
 structive enemy to vegetation that exists. In the 
 year 1778, these insects came in such numbers from 
 the south, that they perfectly darkened the air, and 
 by destroying all the corn, produced a general fa- 
 mine. This calamity was increased to such a de- 
 gree in the year 17bO, that several unfortunate per- 
 sons actually died iu the streets for want of food; 
 many were driven to the necessity of digijing ia 
 the earth for roots to supply the urgent calls of na- 
 ture ; while others were happy to find some undi- 
 gested corn in the dung of animals, which they most 
 eagerly devoured. Upon this occasion of public dis- 
 tress, the emperor generously opened his store of 
 corn, and distributed it, as well as money, among 
 his subjects ; and every person who was known to 
 possess stores was obliged to follow his example. 
 These melancholy facts were long kept in the me- 
 mory of the people, and lepeated by them to the 
 Europeans who visited the country. 
 
 The manufactures of the empire are the haick, a 
 long garment couiposed of white wool and cotton, or 
 cotton and silk woven together, and is used by the 
 Moors for covering their under dress when they 
 go abroad, which they do by totally wrapping 
 themselves in it, iu a careless but easy manner ; silk 
 handkerchiefs of a particular kind, prepared only at 
 Fez; silks chequered \uth cotton; carpeting, little
 
 Morocco Markets. 71 
 
 inferior to that of Turkey ; heantiful matting, made 
 of the palmetto or wild paini-treo ; paper of a coarse 
 kind; Cordovan, commonly calletl Morocco leather; 
 gunpowder of an inferior nature; and long-barrelled 
 muskets, made of Biscay iron. The Moors are un- 
 acquainted with the mode of casting cannon, and 
 therefore the few that are in the country are 
 presents from Europeans. The manufacture of 
 glass is likewise unknown to them ; as indeed they 
 make great use of earthen ware, and have few or 
 no windows to their houses, this commodity may 
 be of less importance to them than many others. 
 They make butter, by putting the milk into a 
 goat-skin with its outward coat turned inwards, 
 and shaking it till the butter collects on the sides, 
 when it is taken out for use. From this opera- 
 tion it proves always full of hairs, and has an 
 insipid flavour. Their cheese consists merely of 
 curds hardened and dried, and has uniformly a dis- 
 agreeable taste. The bread in some of the princi- 
 pal towns, particularly at Tangier and Sal lee, is re- 
 markably good, but in many other places it is coarse, 
 black, and heavy. 
 
 Their markets are under more strict regulations 
 than might be expected from a people who are so 
 deficient in most other instances. A proper officer, 
 entitled almotason, or mayor, is appointed to in- 
 spect all kinds of provision and corn, arid according 
 to their plenty or scarcity, to fix the price on each 
 article : it is also the duty of this officer to attend 
 the markets constantly, and to see that no person is 
 guilty of overcharging what he sells, for which, upon 
 detection, the offender is punished, by having his 
 hands tied behind him, and being publicly flogged
 
 72 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 through all the streets, the executioner occasionally 
 exclaiming, " Thus do tve treat those ivho impose 
 upon the poorT Provisions both of the animal and 
 vegetable kind are sold by the rtab, or large pound, 
 consisting of the weight of twenty hard dollars, or 
 Spanish ounces ; corn, by the almood, four of 
 which are equal to a faneg Spanish, or sack ; and 
 articles of merchandise, by the small pound of six- 
 teen Spanish ounces, when sold by weight; and by 
 the code, which is about two-thirds of an English 
 yard, when by measurement. 
 
 The Moors, agieeably to the Jewish custom, cut 
 the thionts of all the animals they eat, at the same 
 time turning their heads towards Mecca, in adora- 
 tion of thf ii- prophet. After suffering them to bleed 
 freely, they carefully wash all the remaining blood 
 away, and divide the meat into small pieces of about 
 one or two pounds in weight. As they are unac- 
 quainted with the invention of pumps, and have but 
 few springs, it aftbrds employment to a number of 
 indigent people, (who would otherwise probably re- 
 main idh ) to carry water in skins from the nearest ri- 
 ver or reservoir, and sell it to the inhabitants. From 
 their being obliged to tar the skins to prevent them 
 from leaking, the water is frequently rendered yery 
 unpleasant. 
 
 Their looms, forges, ploughs, carpenters' tools, 
 &c. are much upon the same construction with the 
 unimproved instruments of the same kind, which 
 are used at this time in some parts of Europe, only 
 still more clumsily finished. In their work they 
 attend more to strength, than neatness or conveni- 
 ence ; and like all other ignorant people, they have 
 no idea that what they do is capable of improve-
 
 JBuildings of Morocco. 75 
 
 ment. It is probable, indeed, that the Moors have 
 undergone no very material change since the revo- 
 lution in their arts and sciences, which took place 
 soon after their expulsion from Spain. Previous to 
 that period, it is well known they were an en- 
 lightened people, at a time when the greater part of 
 Europe was involved in ignorance and barbarism; 
 but owing to the weakness and tyranny of their 
 princes, they gradually sunk into the very opposite 
 extreme, and may now be considered as but a few 
 degrees removed from a savage state. 
 
 They use no kind of wheel-carriage, and there- 
 fore all their articles of burden are transported from 
 one place to another, on camels, mules, or asses. 
 Their buildings, though by no means constructed 
 on any fixed principle of architecture, have at least 
 the merit of being very strong and durable. The 
 manner of preparing tabby, of which all their best 
 edifices are formed, is, 1 believe, the only remains 
 of their ancient knowledge at present existing. It 
 consists of a mixture of mortar and very small 
 stones, beaten tight in a wooden case, and suffered 
 to dry, when it forms a cement equal to the solid 
 rock. There are always unaccountable discre- 
 pancies and inconsistencies in the arts of uncivilized 
 nations. The apartments are, if possible, even more 
 inconvenient than those of their neighbours, the 
 Spaniards ; but the carved wood-work, with which 
 many of them are ornamented, is really equal to 
 any I have ever seen in Europe. 
 
 The Moors have no idea of making high roads, 
 or repairing those which have been formed by the 
 ancient possessors of the country, or perhaps by the 
 mere resort of passengers, but are content to leave 
 
 2 L
 
 74 PICTURE OF liARBARY. 
 
 them in the same state in which they found them. 
 Indeed, they are even incapable of comprehending 
 simple fact, — that by improving the roads, travelling 
 would become more expeditious, and less ex- 
 pensive. 
 
 If we look for any of the elegant appendages of 
 luxury and refinement in this country, we shall be 
 grievously disappointed. Their gardens are mere 
 tracts of inclosed ground, over-run with weeds, in- 
 terspered with vines, figs, oranges, and lemons, 
 without taste or disposition, and having perhaps 
 one siraisiht walk lhrouij:h the whole. Thev some- 
 times sow corn in the intermediate ground ; but 
 their gardens are rarely productive of esculent vege- 
 tables, and seldom or never ornamented with flowers. 
 
 As there are few or no bridges in the country, 
 we may conclude that the Moors are not thoroughly 
 acquainted with the mode of constructing large 
 arches ; and it is only at their sea-ports where they 
 even use boats. These circumstances, united to the 
 bad roads, render this part of Earbary very incon- 
 venient and dangerous to be travelled through. 
 
 The oldest natives of the empire of Morocco are 
 the Berberes, who still retain their ancient customs 
 and language; and as they are not entirely sub- 
 dued, they live in huts upon the mountains. The 
 Arabs wander from one place to another with their 
 numerous herds, and cultivate the plains and most 
 fruitful parts of this country; and though they pay 
 some tribute to the emperor of Morocco, they are 
 in reality subject only to shariffs elected by them- 
 selves, and chosen from among their own people. 
 Several tribes subsist merely by plunder, and inha- 
 bit inaccessible places, from which they descend to
 
 Treatment of Renegadoes and Slaves. 75 
 
 commit depredations on the caravans and travellers. 
 The Moors are the descendants of those who were 
 expelled out of Spain ; and though poor and op- 
 pressed, 'are extremely numerous, especially on the 
 coasts; but as they have no ships of their own, 
 they carry on no direct trade with foreign nations. 
 They are reckoned avaricious, deceitful, superstiti- 
 ous, revengeful, jealous, and treacherous ; and in 
 these vices are surpassed only by the Jews, who 
 come hither from Portugal and Spain. These last 
 being the merchants, factors, and bankers of the 
 kingdon), are exposed to excessive taxes, which 
 they alleviate by fraudulent means. The renega- 
 does are a distinct class of people, not less detested 
 by the other inhabitants than by Christians. They 
 are employed in the meanest and most servile 
 offices ; and when distributed into the army, are 
 placed in the foremost ranks, and if they in the least 
 give way, they are immediately cut to pieces. 
 
 The slaves constitute another considerable and 
 numerous class of people, and in no part of the 
 world are they treated with more rigour and inhu- 
 manity than in Morocco : they are all the property 
 ofthe king, and are never suffered to enjoy the least 
 relaxation from their labours. Barley bread fried 
 in oil is the only food which is allowed them ; and 
 often when they put one hand to their mouths, the 
 other is employed in some painful and dirty work. 
 Merciless overseers continually beat them if they 
 seek the least repose, or seem in any degree to re- 
 lax from their labour; and it is no uncommon thing 
 to see them fall a prey to fatigue, and to expire 
 under the blows of their unrelenting masters. 
 During the night they are shut up in a subterra-
 
 76 l>lf!tlJRE OF BARBARY. 
 
 neous dungeon, into which they descend by a 
 ladder of ropes, that is afterwards drawn up, and 
 the mouth of the prison is fastened with an iron 
 grate. The dress of these unfortunate people con- 
 sists of a long coat of a coarse woollen cloth, with 
 a hood, which serves them as cap, shirt, and 
 breeches; and they are never allowed stockings or 
 shoes. The women and mc\rried persons^ in order 
 that they may produce new slaves, are exempted 
 from the severest labours, but they are neither 
 better fed, better clothed, nor better lodged than 
 the rest of tlieir companions. Their masters are 
 not very solicitous that they should renounce the 
 christian faith, as in that case they would become 
 free. 
 
 In Morocco there exists a distinguished race of 
 Moors, who occupy the hig!;est and most lucrative 
 places, and make a great figure in the country ; on 
 account, however, of their power and opulence, 
 they are more exposed to the avarice, cruelty, and 
 jealousy of the sovereign, who is despotic; and 
 often pay dearly for their distinction and pre-emi- 
 nence. Lastly, upon Mount Atlas are ffHiud a kind 
 of savages, who live on the fruits of the earth, and 
 •what they take by hunting. It is evident, there- 
 fore, that the inhabitants of this empire consist 
 of men of all kinds, of all religions, and of all 
 shapes and colours ; for even negroes are not 
 wanting. 
 
 The principal towns in the empire of Morocco, 
 are Morocco, Fez, Sallee, Tetnan, Mequinez, Tan- 
 gier, and Ceutu, all of which are ornamented with 
 beautiful edifices, separated by a kind of htits in 
 ^vbich the populace reside ; insomuch that luxury
 
 Emperor of Morocco. 77 
 
 is every where accompanied ])y wretchedness : a 
 mixture not unfrequent in despotic stales. 
 
 The history of the worhi does not furnish any 
 example of a more despotic jioverninent than that 
 of Morocco. Religion, laws, customs, all c«>nspire 
 to render the monarch absolute and arhitrary, and 
 to confirm the subject in the most ai)je( t and mi- 
 serable state of slavery. The Empt^ror, who is 
 called the shariff, has an unbounded power, not 
 only over the lives and fortv«fnes, but also over the 
 consciences, of his sidijects ; being the only person, 
 as the successor of Mahomet, qualified to be grand 
 interpreter of the Koran, and nominating and ap- 
 pointing all the judges under his government. No 
 sooner are his laws enacted, than they are pro- 
 claimed throughout the empire, and received with 
 an implicit and religious veneration : those who die 
 in the exerulion of his commands, are supposed to 
 be immediately admitted into paradise ; and those 
 vf\\o receive their death from his own hands, to en- 
 joy the ffreatep.l happiness a future state can afford. 
 These notions being carefully inculcated, and im- 
 plicitly believed, we need not wonder to find, on the 
 one hand, cruelty, tyranny, and oppression ; and 
 on the other, passive submission, gross ignorance, 
 and unrepining slavery. 
 
 The Emperor Muley Yazed, who ascended the 
 throne in 1790, was extremely ferocious, and set no 
 bounds to his cruelties. Immediately on his acces- 
 sion, in revenge for some insults which he consider- 
 ed himself to have received from the Jews at Tetuan, 
 he ordered a general plunder of that unhappy peo- 
 ple there, which was carried into effect in a most 
 destructive way, with all its usual attendant hor-
 
 78 PICTURE OV BARBARY. 
 
 rors of insult and violation on the part of the sol- 
 diery. Two persons of that nation having particu- 
 larly incurred his displeasure, he ordered a cord to 
 be passed through the tendons of the leios of one of 
 them, and his body to be suspended wilh the head 
 downward, in which miserable state he was sufTered 
 to remain near four days without sustenance, when 
 the Emperor ordered his head to be taken off under 
 the plea of putting; him out of his misery. The 
 other person was driven into the Emperor's pre- 
 sence, jiaving a cord round his neck, who ordered 
 his hands to be cut off, in which state he remained 
 three days, and was then beheaded. A black ge- 
 neral, and the best in the army, who was another 
 victim of his revenge, on being- ordered into his 
 presence, attempted to fly, but his horse failing him^ 
 he was seized and carried before the Emperor, who 
 with his own hands, by one blow of his sabre, di- 
 vided his head in two ; the sufferer meeting his fate 
 with amazing intrepidity, and so far from asking for 
 his life, looked calmly in the Emperor's face as he 
 lifted his sword to give the fatal blow. 
 
 The titles assumed by the King of Morocco are, 
 the Most Gracious, Mighty, and Noble Emperor of 
 Africa, King of Fez and Morocco, Tatilet, Suz, 
 Dahra, and all the Algarbe and its territories in 
 Africa, and Grand Shariff (that is, Vicegerent of 
 the Great Prophet Mahomet. 
 
 As the Emperor is esteemed the sole heir of all 
 his subjects, he seizes on the whole of their effects, 
 and only makes such provision for their families, as 
 he himself may think proper, and which is generally 
 very inconsiderable. By way, however, of preserv- 
 ing the shadow of justice, the meanest subject in
 
 Revenues of the Emperor. 79 
 
 his dominions has the power oi summoning; the 
 Emperor before the mufti's tribunal (a sort of spi- 
 ritual jiirisdiction ;) but the clanger which never 
 fails to attend the enforcement of this pretended 
 privilege, proves a very suflicient security against 
 his ever being troubled with any such citation. 
 
 The revenues of this prince consist in these heri- 
 tages, and in the sale of employments ; and frequent 
 gratuities demanded from those who possess them. 
 Another considerable fund arises from the tribute 
 paid by all corsairs; besides what is given for the 
 privilege o^ purchasing slaves at fifty crowns each. 
 These slaves are sometimes sold by the monarch at 
 a profit of one hundred percent; but they are ge- 
 nerally kept and employed in his own labours, 
 which also form a branch of his revenue. He has, 
 likewise, the tenth part of the cattle, fruits, and 
 productions of the earth ; which, however, cost him 
 some trouble to collect, as he is obliged, for that 
 purpose, to send out troops, who compel the Arabs, 
 IVloors, and Berberes, the inhabitants of the country, 
 to pay the tithe of their produce. The Jews and 
 Christians, for the privilege of trading, pay a capi- 
 tation tax ; and lastly, exorbitant exactions are 
 made on Christian princes and states as tribute for 
 restraining the corsairs, and suffering only a certain 
 number of them to attack their vessels. 
 
 Nature, however, has wisely imposed a check oa 
 the avarice and licentiousness of this government, 
 by affording them no good ports. Sallee, which is 
 considerably the best, being always dry at low 
 water ;*and as it is also shut up by a dangerous 
 bar, so that it will only admit vessels of small force, 
 their navy is of very little importance. During
 
 80 PICTURE OP BARBAKY. 
 
 peace the land forces are 2:reatly neglected and dis- 
 persed throiiiriiont llie empire; Ihey generally 
 ainonm to f<>rly thousaiul men. The infantry are 
 badly armed ami ilS-discipIined ; the cavalry are 
 beltf r maintained ; but the most formidahle corps 
 is that of the negroes, who compose the emperor's 
 body-guard, and amount to fonr or five thousand 
 men, without enumerating those dispersed through- 
 out the provinces. An escort of these troops is 
 greatly desired by every governor, as well for the 
 sake of pleasing the emperor, as to secure his own 
 safety. The negroes who form these detached 
 troops are afterwards embodied into those of the 
 emperor, and this promotion is an object of emula- 
 tion and reward. 
 
 The city of Morocco is situated in a fruitful plain, 
 abounding in grain, and all the other necessaries of 
 life, ^nd depastured by sheep and cattle, and horses 
 of a superior breed, called sift Ain Toga (the breed 
 of Ain Toga.) At a distance, the city has a beau- 
 tiful and romantic appearance, the adjacent country 
 being interspersed with groves of the lofty palm, 
 and the towering snow-topped mountains of Atlas, 
 in the back ground, seem to cool the parched and 
 weary traveller reposing in the plains ; for although 
 none 
 
 Can hold a fire in his hand, 
 
 By thinking on the frosty Caucasus, 
 
 yet in the sultry season, the traveller, by viewing 
 these mountains, expeiiences a sensation difficult to 
 be described. The lily of the valley, the fleur-de- 
 lis, lupins, roses, jonquils, migaonet, jasmines, tIo-
 
 City of Morocco. 81 
 
 l^ts, the orange and citron flowers, and many others, 
 grow here spontaneously ; and in the months of 
 Marcli and April, the air in the morning is strongly 
 perfumed with their grateful and delicious odours. 
 The fruits are, oranges of the finest flavour, figs of 
 various kinds, water and musk melons, apricots, 
 peaches, and various kinds of grapes, pears, dates, 
 plums, and pomegranates. 
 
 The city of Morocco was founded in the 424th 
 year of the Hejira, 1052-, by Jusuf Teshfin, of the 
 family of Luntuna, a tribe of Arabs inhabiting the 
 plains east of Atlas, on the way to Tafilelt ; and in 
 the time of his grandson, Aly Ben Yusif, it is said to 
 have contained a million of inhabitants ; latterly, 
 however, it has been much depopulated, and owing 
 to the devastations of succeeding conquerors, re- 
 tains little of its ancient magnilicence, except its 
 general form ; and the accumulated ruins of houses 
 and gardens within the town, which were once the 
 sites of habitations, indicate its decay. It is sur- 
 rounded by extremely thick walls, formed of a ce- 
 ment of lime and sandy earth, put in cases, and 
 beaten together with square rammers. These walls 
 were in many places broken and decayed, so that 
 horses might pass through them ; but the breaches 
 were repaired previous to the siege and capture of 
 the city by Muley Yazed, in February, 1792. Some 
 of the houses are built with much elegance and 
 taste, but being all behind high walls, they are not 
 visible from the street; and these outer walls are of 
 the rudest construction, for every individual here is 
 anxious to conceal his wealth, and to impress the 
 public and the state with an idea that he is poor 
 and distressed ! 
 
 3 M
 
 82 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 The imperial palace of Morocco, which faces 
 Mount Atlas, is huilt of hewn stone, ornamented 
 with n)ari>le. It is not so niacnificent a builtlins." as 
 that of Moquinez ; the architectiire of the principal 
 gates is Gothic, embellished with various ornaments 
 in the Arabesque taste; tiie walls of some of the 
 rooms are of filligree-work, and others of ezzulia, 
 or glazed tiles, similar lo the Chinese tiles, which 
 are fixed in the walls with much art, and have a 
 cool efll'ert Three gardens are attached to the pa- 
 lace, the first and largest is called Jinen el Erdoua, 
 the second Jinen el Alia, and the third, which is 
 the sural left, and situated at a private door, Jinen 
 Nile, or the Garden of the Nile, so named from its 
 containing the fruits and plants of the Nile, Tim- 
 buctoo, and Soudan, with many others the produce 
 of Barbary. In the two former of these gardens, 
 the Emperor allows the foreign merchants to pitch 
 theii- tenJs whenever they visit him, w hich is gene- 
 rally every time he goes to Morocco, and in the 
 Jinen Nile they have their audience of business, that 
 is, the second audience; the first bein.2:an interview 
 of ceremony, and the third, an audience of leave to 
 depart. The two first gardens abound with olives, 
 oranges, grapes of various kinds, apricots, peaches, 
 pomegranates, water melons, citrons, limes, &c. ; 
 these, however, are surpassed in richness by the 
 Jinen Nile, the orange trees of which are small, but 
 very fruitful, and the flowers extremely odoriferous; 
 the rost'S, in particular, are unequalled, and mat- 
 trasses are made of their leaves for the men of rank 
 to recline upon. In these gardens are (Kobba) pa- 
 vilions about 40 feet square, with pyramidal rooh 
 covered with glazed tiles of various colours, and
 
 Palaces of Morocco. 88 
 
 lighted from four lofty and spacious doors, which 
 are opened according to the position of the sun; they 
 are painted and gilt in the Arahesque style, and orna- 
 mented with square compartments containing- pas- 
 sages from tlie Koran, in a sort of Arabic short- 
 hand, understood only by the first scholars. As 
 the luxury and convenience of tables, ciiairs, and 
 curtains are unknown in this country, the furniture 
 of these apartments is very simple, consisting of a 
 couple of sofas or couches, some china, and tea 
 equipage, a clock, a few arms hung round the walls, 
 a water-pot, and carpets to kneel upon in prayers. 
 Here tiie Emperor takes coffee or tea, and transacts 
 business with his courtiers. 
 
 The grand pavilion in the middle of the inclosure 
 is appropriated to the women ; it is a very spacious 
 building, and fitted up in the same style of neatness 
 and simplicity as the others.* 
 
 Near the palace is the M'shoar, or Place of Au- 
 dience, an extensive quadrangle, walled in, but open 
 to the sky, in which the Emperor gives audience to 
 his subjects, hears their complain ts> and adminis- 
 ters justice. 
 
 In Morocco are many temples, sanctuaries, and 
 
 * The Emperor, Seedy Mohammed, who died in 1790, after 
 reigniug 33 yearn, showed a great predilection for the cify of Mo- 
 rocco, and caused several regular pavilions to be built by Europeans 
 in the midst of the palace gardens; these are of hewn stone, and 
 finished in a plain substantial style. There are many private gar- 
 dens in the city, containing the most delicious fruits, and having 
 pavilions decorated much in the style of those above described, 
 which form a curious contrast with the real, or apparent wretched- 
 ness of the surrounding buildings.
 
 84 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 mosques; of these, the most curious, is one in the 
 middle of the city, called Jamaa Sidi Yusif, built 
 by a prince named Muley el Mumen, on the site of 
 one erected by Sidi Yusif, which he destroyed with 
 a view to obliterate that prince's name ; in this how- 
 ever he was disappointed, for though he expended 
 great sums in the erection of the present building, 
 and called it after himself, for the purpose of trans- 
 mitting his own name to posterity, yet the people 
 continued to call it by the old name, which it re- 
 tains to the present time. 
 
 There is another mosque, said to have been built 
 by Muley el Monsore ; the body of it is supported 
 by many pillars of marble, and under it is a mitfere 
 (cistern) which holds a large quantity of water, col- 
 lected in the rainy season, and used by the Mo- 
 hammedans for their ablutions. The tower is square, 
 and built like that of Seville in Spain ; the walls 
 are four feet thick, and it has seven stories, in each 
 of which are windows, narrow on the outside, but 
 wide within, which renders the interior light and 
 airy ; the ascent is not by stairs, but by a gradually 
 winding terrace composed of lime and small stones-, 
 so firndy cemented together as to be nearly as hard 
 as iron. On the summit of the tower is a turret in 
 the form of a square lantern, hence called Smaa el 
 Fannarh (the Lantern Tower,) which commands a 
 most extensive prospect, and from whence Cape 
 Cantin, distant about 120 miles, is distinctly visible. 
 The roofs of the different chambers in this building, 
 which are all quadrangular, are very ingeniously 
 vaulted ; and indeed the whole workmanship is of 
 the most excellent kind. Prayers are performed 
 here every Friday in presence of the Emperor.
 
 City of 3Iorocco. 85 
 
 That part of the city adjoining this edifice is quite a 
 heap of ruins. 
 
 There is another tower in this city, wliich may be 
 mentioned, from the circiimstance of its having 
 three golden balls on its top, weighing together, it 
 is said, 10 quintals, equal to 1205lbs. avoirdupois. 
 Several kings, when in want of money, have at- 
 tempted to take them down, but without success, 
 as they are very firmly and artfully fixed ; the su- 
 perstitious people say they are fixed by magic, that 
 (jinn) a spirit guards them from all injury, and that 
 all those who have attempted their removal, were 
 soon after killed. There is a tradition, that the 
 wife of Muley el Mumen, desirous of ornamenting 
 the temple built by her husband, caused these 
 globes to be made of the gold melted down from the 
 jewels which the king gave her. 
 
 At the extremity of the city, towards the Atlas, 
 and near the imperial palace, is the department for 
 the Jews, called el Miilah, the gates of which are 
 shut at night; these people have an Alcaid ap- 
 pointed over them, to whom they apply for protec- 
 tion against insult. Not more than two thousand 
 Jewish families now reside here, great numbers 
 having been induced, from various causes, to emi- 
 grate to the adjacent mountains, where they are 
 free from oppression. 
 
 In this quarter stands the Spanish convent, which, 
 till lately, was inhabited by two or three friars ; but 
 it is now deserted. 
 
 The Kasseria, or department for trade, is an ob- 
 long building surrounded with shops of a small size, 
 filled with silks, cloths, linens, and other valuable 
 articles for sale. Here the people resort to trans-
 
 86 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 act business, hear the news, &c. much in the same 
 manner as is done on tlie exchanges of European 
 towns ; and independent i^enlietnen, who have no 
 occupation at court, often ii ire one ot ihtse shops, 
 merely f )r t!ie purpose of passiu;^ tiie ni )rning here 
 in conversation on politics, and other subjects. 
 
 The city of Morocco is supplied with water froili 
 numerous wells and springs anmufist the diijerent 
 olive plant. ilions, and the rich procure it notn the 
 river Tensi ft, which flows at a short di-tance from 
 the city; this water is very salubiious, and anti- 
 bilious, and is drank in cases of indigestion. There 
 is also a subterraneous aqueduct bidlt of brick, 
 whicii ii;oes rousid the town, tv\enty feet below the 
 surface, and from which, at about every hundred 
 yards, pipes of brick-work branch ofl, and convey the 
 water into the difllerent houses; over each of these 
 branches are excavations from the surface, through 
 which persons descend to repair any injuries below; 
 but this aqueduct is now much neglected, and out 
 of repair. 
 
 This city being now on the decline, little can b« 
 said of its cleanliness; the streets are mostly filled 
 with ruins of houses which have gone to decay, and 
 in the Millah, or Jew's quarter, heaps of dung 
 and other filth are seen, as high as the houses. 
 The Moors, however, from a natural desire of 
 cleanliness, in which the Jews are scandalously 
 deficient, pay more attention to the streets in which 
 they reside. The houses being aimoit all old, thejr 
 swarm with vermin, particularly bugs, which, in the 
 summer season, are literally a plague, the walls be- 
 ing covered with thern ; at this period also, the in- 
 habitants are much annoyed with scorpions, which
 
 ' Saints at Morocco. 87 
 
 are frequently found in the hetls, and other places ; 
 to these may be added the domestic serpent, hut 
 this is rather considered as an object of veneration, 
 than a nnisnnce. 
 
 The air about Morocco is generally calm ; the 
 neighbonrinii' mountains of Atlas defend the plain 
 in whicli it stands^ from tlie scorchins^ Sluime or hot 
 wind whicli blows from Tafilelt and Sahara, by ar- 
 resting its progress, and the snow with which they 
 are always covered, imparts a coolness to the sur- 
 rounding atmosphere; in summer, however, the 
 heat is intense, though the nights during that period 
 are cool : in winter the cold is very sensibly felt ; 
 but the climate is extremely healthy. The inhabi- 
 tants, particularly the Jews, are, however, affected 
 with opthaimia.* 
 
 The saint and patron of Morocco is Sidi ]3elab' 
 hess ; his mosque is like that of Mulei Edris at Fez, 
 coujposed of a square saloon, covered with an oc- 
 tangular cupola, and carved and painted with ara- 
 besques, and on the outside covered wilh varnished 
 and coloured tiles. The sepulchre of the saint is 
 covered with many pieces of woollen and silk, the 
 one above the other ; the chest for the alms is on its 
 side. The floor and part of the walls are covered 
 with carpets and other hangings. 
 
 Adjoining the saloon or mosque there are various 
 court yards, with arcades and rooms to lodge the 
 poor, the maimed, the invalids, or the old ; these 
 present a most shocking sight ; for, besides the 
 
 • See Jackson's interesting Account of the Empire of Morocco, p. 
 X\?, and AH Bey's excellent Travels, vol, i. p. 149.
 
 88 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 frightful spectacle of evils, there is also an entire 
 want of those wise regulations which are observed 
 in Europe in establishments of this kind. Eighteen 
 hundred ivrelches of both sexes are actually provided 
 for ill this establishment by means of the alms and 
 funds of the mosque. 
 
 This sanctuary serves as an asylum for those who 
 are prosecuted by despotism ; from this place they 
 can negociate to obtain their pardon, and w^ait till 
 they safely rejoin society, certain that this asylum 
 will never be violated. There is, however, no posi- 
 tive law in favour of this immunity ; but it is found- 
 ed on the public opinion ; and if a suitan were to 
 infringe it by an abuse of power, he would cause a 
 revolution. How respectable is a prejudice like 
 this! so nsefid to humanity, iu a country where the 
 inhabitant, deprived of all civil protection, lives in 
 the abyss of the most shocking despotism ! . . . . 
 
 " The chief of this establishment bears the title of 
 El Emkaddem or ancient, like that of Mulei Edris at 
 Fez; he is equally re^-pected, and is almost looked 
 upon as a saint. The two greatest saints of all the 
 empire of Morocco are Sidi Ali JBenhamet, who 
 resides at Wazein, and Sidi Alarbi Bemiiale^ Avho 
 lives at Ted la. 
 
 " These two saints decide almost on the fate of the 
 whole empire, as it is supposed that they attract the 
 blessings of heaven on the country. The depart- 
 ments wiiich they inhabit have no Pasha, no Kaid 
 or Governor of the Sultan ; the inhabitants of them 
 pay no kind of tribute, and are entirely ruled by 
 those two saints under a kind of theocracy. The 
 veneration \> hich they enjoy is so great, that upon 
 occasions where they visit the provinces, the Go-
 
 Saints at Morocco. d9 
 
 vernors take their orders and advice. They preach 
 submission to the Sultan, domestic peace, and the 
 practice of virtue. They receive considerable pre- 
 sents and ahiis, and there is not a woman in the em- 
 pire that would not seek an occasion to consult 
 them when they come within reach. Upon such 
 religious excursions, they are followed by a crowd 
 of poor, who sing" the praises of Allah and of all holy 
 personages. A number of armed men are continu- 
 ally in their retinue, and ready to defend the divine 
 cause with their weapons, 
 
 *' I have already mentioned (continues Ali Bey) 
 that this holiness is hereditary in some families ; 
 the father of Sidi Ali was a great saint ; Sidi Ali is 
 now as much venerated, and his son Sidi Bentzami 
 begins already to become so. As the productive 
 power is the gift of heaven, these saints enjoy it in 
 a most distinguished manner, for Sidi Ali keeps a 
 number of negro women, and has a great many chil- 
 dren. Besides his lawful wives and his common 
 concubines, Sidi Alarbi keeps eighteen young negro 
 girls. 
 
 "I had once the honour of an interview with Sidi 
 Ali when he came to Morocco ; he quieted some 
 scruples in my too delicate conscience. I made 
 him a little present of about fifty pounds, and he re^ 
 turned me a lion*s skin, on which he had been in 
 the habit of saying his prayers for thirteen years. 
 Besides this he gave me a quantity of sweetmeats, 
 and a large bottle of lemon syrup, which he is used 
 to mix with his tea. I did not fail to praise it high- 
 ly. This holy man, free from all worldly interest, 
 employed the money which I had given him, and 
 that which he had been raising by alms, in the pur-» 
 
 3 J?
 
 90 PICTURE OF JiARBARY. 
 
 chase of guns and other weapons for the defenders 
 of the faith who escorted hira. 
 
 *' Sidi Ali was about fifty years old. He had a 
 round ruddy coloured face, lively eyes, and a small 
 beard white as snow ; he was of a low stature, full 
 and well proportioned. His dress was always the 
 same ; it consisted of a kind of shirt or small white 
 woollen caftan, a little turban, and a sort of Hhaik 
 or light woollen cloth, which covered his bead, and 
 hung dowu behind, and on the sides like a small 
 cloak. He spoke a little through the nose, but with 
 much sweetness. The eldest son of this saint fol- 
 lows the footsteps of his father, and notwithstand- 
 ing his youth, begins to partake of his sanctity. He 
 is only twenty-six years of age, but taller and larger 
 than his father, and much redder in the face. The 
 saint was accompanied by other sons, which he had 
 by his negro women, and was on his journey placed 
 on a litter suspended between two mules, which was 
 long enough for him to stretch on, after the fatigue 
 of his fervent prayers, which he says, in order to at- 
 tract the blessings of Heaven on the country. I did 
 not see Sidi Alarbi who was atTedla, but I became 
 acquainted with one of his nephews, who came in 
 his name. He was so stout, red, and fat, that he 
 could hardly breathe ; and I was told that Sidi 
 Alarbi is still taller and larger, a proof that fasting 
 and mortification impairs neither the health nor the 
 vigour of the saints. Notwithstanding his size, Sidi 
 Alarbi is said to be easy on horseback, and a clever 
 shot. There were unfortunately some difficulties 
 existing between him and the Sultan Muley Soliman 
 OD account of a mosque, which the latter had been 
 building at Tedla, and which the former had chang-
 
 Mahometan Sects. 91 
 
 ed into stables; very likely some little want of at- 
 tention had been the cause of this disrespect. The 
 Sultan, fo appease the holy man, sent him a present 
 of a thousand ducats, and the saint returned a thou- 
 sand sheep to the Sultan."* 
 
 Learning, as may well be presumed, is at fts 
 lowest ebb in this country ; and even some of the 
 emperors have been incapable of reading or writ- 
 ing; qjialifications which are chiefly confined to the 
 priests and doctors of the law, and rarely to be met 
 with among the common people. There are, how- 
 ever, some regular schools in their cities and towns, 
 for teaching children to read, write, and cypher; 
 but the Koran is esteemed the perfection of all hu- 
 man learning, and when once the student has gone 
 through it, he is superbly dressed, placed on horse- 
 back, and conducted through the town in triumph, 
 by his school-fellows. The inhabitants are much 
 addicted to astrology, and have great confidence in 
 charnjs, sorcery, and amulets. 
 
 They are Mahometans of the sect of Melech, but 
 they blend certain Pagan rites with the doctrines of 
 the Koran : they carry provisions to the tombs of 
 the dead, where they assemble in great numbers 
 every Friday ; and the women never fail to be pre- 
 sent at these meetings, which form a part of their 
 recreations. In these offices, the priests, who ge- 
 nerally have cells in the vicinity of these reposito- 
 ries, join with much apparent zeal and devotion for 
 a very inconsiderable sum. The profound venera- 
 tion, however, with which the inhabitants of Mo- 
 
 * Travels of Ali Bey, vol. i. p. 151.
 
 02 PiCTtJRE OP BAR6ARY. 
 
 rocco treat the holy name of God, is well worthy tli^ 
 Dotice and imitation of Christians. The impious 
 practice of profane swearing is wholly unknown 
 among them ; and their detestation of Christians is 
 not a little increased by the blasphemous and inde- 
 cent manner, in which the votaries of the gospel of 
 Jesus express themselves on every trivial occasion^ 
 They pay great veneration to persons who have 
 performed a pilgrimage to Mecca, whom they call 
 hadgis or saints, and allow them peculiar privileges. 
 Even the animals on which they rode during the 
 journey are considered as holy, exempted from all 
 future services, and maintained till their death, when 
 they are interred with great ceremony. If a man 
 be convicted of having absented himself fronj the 
 mosque during the period of eight days, for the first 
 offence, he is rendered incapable of giving evi<lence 
 in a court of justice; for the second, he is fined ; 
 and for the third, burned as a heretic. The women 
 are not permitted to enter these places of worship, 
 as they would too much distract the attention of 
 the religious mussel men, " Let them," say they, 
 *' propagate their species; it was for that purpose 
 they were created." They believe that all shall be 
 saved, who die under fifteen years of age ; but none 
 above that period, unless they be of the same creed 
 as themselves. ]f a Jew or a Christian enters a 
 mosque, he is burned or impaled alive, unless he 
 become a Mahometan. They think it no crime to 
 break their word with infidels, as they denominate 
 those who do not believe in the mission of the pro- 
 phet, and to oppress theni in every possible manner. 
 There is scarcely a more perfidious and rapacious 
 people on the face of the earth ; and even the em-
 
 Morocco. — Mamiers, ^c. 93 
 
 pefor hiuiself and his ministry are remarkably fond 
 of presents, and desirous of obtaining them. In 
 Morocco it is a conmion proverb, that "vinegar re- 
 ceived as a present, is sweeter than honey which has 
 been purchased." In no place is the ramadau, or 
 lent, observed with more strictness. Even children 
 are compelled to submit to this religious duty ; and 
 the crews of their corsairs, though the greatest vil- 
 lains in existence, will not allow the snjallest in- 
 fraction of this fast. The punishments inflicted by 
 the inhabitants of Morocco are horrid ; criminals 
 are frequently sawn asunder, lengthwise or across ; 
 impaled alive ; or burned to death by a slow fire. 
 
 The language of this country is the Arabese, or 
 modern Arabic, which is spoken in every part of 
 the Barbary states^ and is very extensively used, 
 being propagated in all the dominions of the grand 
 seignior, and preserved by those who make pilgri- 
 mages to Mecca. The inhabitants of Morocco never 
 suffer their quarrels to terminate in murder, for the 
 commission of which their religion allows no par- 
 don. A crowd of curious spectators never accom- 
 pany a criminal to the place of execution ; if they 
 meet one on the road, they view him with looks of 
 sorrow and compassion ; nor can they comprehend 
 for what reason the people in our cities are fond of 
 such unpleasant sights. Games of chance are pro- 
 hibited by the laws ; and the gambling assemblies 
 of Europe, which are so active and so turbulent, 
 alford them another subject for speculation and as- 
 tonishment. In paying visits, they never spend 
 tngre time than is absolutely necessary for the 
 business which is the object of them ; and they
 
 5>4 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 never enter into any desultory conversation respect- 
 ing the affairs of their neighbours, or the concerns 
 of the state. On these occasions, the usual enter- 
 tainment consists of sherbet, coffee, and a pipe of 
 tobacco. They drink and smoke in silence ; after 
 which they take their leave. Wine and strong 
 liquors are prohibited under the severest penalties ; 
 and even the greatest and most powerful lords dare 
 not infringe this law, except in the most secret 
 manner. 
 
 There are two political maxims, to which the em- 
 peror of Morocco pays particular attention : one of 
 theseconsists inpermittingand protecting in his ports, 
 the consuls and merchants of the christian nations 
 with whom he is at war, in order to encourage and 
 preserve the commerce of his states. Theother is, to 
 live on friendly terms with the republics of Tunis, 
 Algiers, and Tripoli, that they may form a barrier 
 against the designs of the Ottoman Porte, and alsd 
 may not interrupt each other in their piracies. 
 
 The present Sultan of Morocco, Muley Solyman, 
 is a direct descendant, in the Sheriffs line, of the 
 Arab conquerors of the country. He is a quiet, 
 peaceable man, and if we may believe a Doctor 
 Buffa, who resided some time at his court, his chief 
 study and attention appear to be directed to the 
 welfare and happiness of his people. Two things 
 are certainly much in his favour — he has abolished 
 Christian slavery, and he employs no Turks to op- 
 press the people ; nor does he recruit the army of 
 blacks, amounting once to 40,000 men, which Muley 
 Ismael imported from the southward of the Sahara, 
 under the notion that they would execute his orders
 
 Emperors of Morocco. 95 
 
 without compunction, and by thus rendering them- 
 selves odious to his subjects, be less likely to con- 
 spire with them against him. 
 
 Negroes, however, are still to be found as go- 
 vernors of cities, commanders of the body-guard, 
 eunuchs to the harem, and filling other offices of the 
 state. The same man, who, if kidnapped at his 
 parents' door, and brought westward, would handle 
 the hoe, if sold in a northerly direction, wields the 
 baton of command ; and by his talents, steadiness, 
 and bravery, is considered the pillar of the state. 
 The same female, who, if exported across the At- 
 lantic, should daily be lacerated by the stripes of 
 the cow-skin, be the daily victim of the brutality of 
 one sex, and the malignity of the other, now sits 
 upon a throne, because chance pointed her capti- 
 vity hither. 
 
 Mil ley Yezid, the brother and predecessor of the 
 present Emperor, was altogether a different charac- 
 ter, being destitute of every spark of human feeling. 
 He plundered ail the Jews in his dominions, and 
 massacred those who did not at once produce their 
 riches ; and he is said to have burned alive six 
 young Jewesses who ventured to plead for their 
 fathers' lives. His first act, on coming to the throne, 
 was to put to death the chief minister, and to cause 
 his head and his hands to be nailed to the door of 
 the Spanish consul's house, because his father was 
 supposed to have favoured that nation. During 
 his fathf?''^^ life he headed a negro army, and got 
 himself proclaimed king at IMeqninez : the rebel- 
 lion was soon put down, and as an expiation of his 
 crime he was sent on a pilgrimage to Mecca, with a 
 numerous escort, and a large sum of money as a
 
 06 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 present to the holy shrine. Of this money he con- 
 trived to rob the escort ; and as a further punish- 
 ment, and to keep him out of Morocco, the Empe- 
 ror ordered him to perform ihree successive pilgri- 
 mages before he ventured to shew himself in his 
 dominions. In these peregrinations to and from 
 Mecca, lie contrived to spend much time, to the 
 i^nnoyance of every body at Tripoli, which gave the 
 writer of the "Narrative of Ten Years' Residence at 
 Tripoli," the opportunity of witnessing many of his 
 horrible excesses. 
 
 At Tripoli, besides the daughter of an Arab chief 
 whom he had stolen, he had with him seven wives — 
 five Greeks, and two black women. One of them 
 bore him a son there, on which occasion he gave a 
 grand entertainment. His father's treasurer, having 
 made some difficulty about advancing the money for 
 the feast, was made to swallow a quantity of sand, 
 in consequence of which he died a few days after- 
 wards. His general behaviour was so brutal that 
 none of the European consuls would venture near 
 him. When at Tunis, a Spanish renegade, who 
 from the condition of a slave had been elevated to 
 the rank of a mameluke, and set over his harem, 
 was discovered to have seduced the affections of 
 one of his favourite ladies. He took no notice at 
 Tunis of the discovery he had made of the infidelity 
 of the fair slave, or the treachery of the renegado, 
 but brought the deluded culprits on with him, not 
 altering his behaviour, while his heart was coolly 
 meditating in what manner to sacrifice them, that 
 their punishment might satiate his revenge. By the 
 time he had arrived at Zuarra, he had decided the 
 fate of these unfortunate wretches. This cannibal
 
 Wild Scenery near Tripoli. 07 
 
 «ats not men, but feasts upon their sufferings ; he 
 put the two offenders to death, the woman first and 
 the man afterwards, with liis own hands, in a 
 manner the most heightened description of cruelty 
 could not exaggerate. 
 
 This ferocious monster (who, to the relief of suf- 
 fering humanity, was assassinated a iaw months 
 after his accession) amused some portion of his 
 leisure, in travelling to and fro between Tripoli and 
 Tunis. This road presented scenery congenial to 
 his savage nature. The following striking view of 
 one part of it, is both spirited and picturesque. 
 
 "A part of the road from Tunis to Tripoli cannot 
 be passed without great danger, on account of wild 
 beasts, which not unfrequently attack passengers, 
 in spite of the precautions taken to prevent their 
 approach. The Bashaw's physician, a Sicilian, per- 
 formed this tremendous journey by land with his 
 wife and two children not long since. He joined 
 an immense caravan, that being the only method 
 by which he could traverse the deserts, and pro- 
 ceeded in safety to this place. The Sicilian has 
 often described to us the gloomy and impenetrable 
 forest they passed, where the repeated bowlings of 
 wild beasts, excited by the scent of cattle accom- 
 panying the caravan, were increased and heightened 
 as it drew near their horrible dens. Sometimes the 
 caravan was constrained to remain for several days 
 near these woods, to avoid the approaching hurri- 
 cane in the desert they were about to pass through ; 
 for by the aspect of the heavens, those who frequent 
 the deserts can often foresee these dreadful winds 
 many hours before they happen. No sooner were 
 the tents pitched, and the caravan become sta- 
 
 3 o
 
 98 PICTURE OF BARBARY, 
 
 tioiiary, than a peculiar noise in the forest an- 
 nounced the wild beasts verging to the borders of 
 it, there to wait a favourable opportunity to rush 
 out and seize their prey. The dreadful roaring of 
 the lion was not heard during the day, but when 
 the darkness came on, continued murmurs an- 
 nounced him, and his voice getting louder, broke 
 like peals of thunder on the stillness of the night. 
 The panther and die tiger were seen early in the 
 evening, to make circuits nearer and nearer round 
 the caravan. In the centre of it were placed the 
 tents with the women, children, and iiocks ; the 
 cattle were ranged next ; and the camels, horses, 
 and dogs last. One chain of uninterrupted fires 
 encircling the vvliole, were kept continually blazing 
 during every night. On the least failure of these 
 fires, the lion was instantly heard to come closer to 
 the caravan. At his roar, the sheep and lambs 
 shook as if in an ague; the horses, without attempt- 
 ing to move, were instantaneously covered with a 
 strong perspiration from the terror ; the cries of the 
 cattle were distressing; the dogs started from every 
 part of the caravan, and assembling together in one 
 spot, seemed endeavouring by their united bowlings 
 to frighten away the savage devoiirer, from whose 
 tremendous power nothing was able to save them 
 but a fresh blaze of fire. Twice during this journey 
 tfce lion was seen to carry off his prey, each time 
 a sheep, to the universal terror of the affrighted 
 spectators, who in vain with fire-arras endeavoured 
 to prevent him."* 
 
 * Narrative of a Ten Years' Residence at Tripoli, p. 288.
 
 Tunisian Justice. 9D 
 
 When the father of Muley Solyman and Muley 
 Vezid, filled tlie throne of Morocco, he affected to 
 distribute justice impartially, and, wherever he hap- 
 pened to be, to hear all complaints and petitions in 
 person. His usual seat of justice was the saddle, 
 and a scarlet umbrella, held over his head, the sym- 
 bol of sovereignty. It is the custom in all the Bar- 
 bary states for every person, whatever his rank or 
 condition may be, to accompany his suit with a 
 present corresponding to the magnitude of the favour 
 he has to ask, or the condition of the suitor; and 
 the hog, we suspect, very often overturns the pot of 
 oil. 
 
 The following anecdote affords a good illus- 
 tration of the manner in which the Barbary sove- 
 reigns administer justice in person, in the case 
 of the Bey of Tunis, who also makes a parade 
 of silting himself in the judgment-seat, and of 
 affording access to his person to the lowest sub- 
 ject in his dominions. A horde of Bedouin Arabs 
 set out for Tunis to complain of the bashaw 
 who had been set over them. Aware of this, the 
 bashaw got the start of them, and stated his case 
 to the Bey, praying at the same time his ac- 
 ceptance of a small proof of his inviolable attach- 
 ment to his highness's person. This proof was con- 
 tained in a purse of ten thousand piastres. " Very 
 well," said the Bey, " give the money to Mariano," 
 (his treasurer.) Presently the Arabs came into the 
 hall, imploring the Bey to remove the chief, and 
 give them a less tyrannical governor, supporting 
 their request with another purse of ten thousand 
 piastres. "Well, well," said the Bey, "give the 
 money to Mariano, and you shall have justice,"
 
 100 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Then calling together the whole party, he thus ad- 
 dressed them : — " My friends, I was fully aware 6f 
 the justice of your coujplaiuts, and have most se- 
 verely reprimanded that man, who has sworn upon 
 the head of our holy prophet, that he will in future 
 behave hetter to you, and endeavour to merit your 
 esteem ; take him therefore to your Iiearts, and be 
 likewise good to him : and as for you, (turning to 
 the chief) let it be known to all these people, that 
 if the smallest complaint is again made against youp 
 administration, your head will pay the forfeiture 
 of your promise." And they all retired, applauding 
 the wisdom and justice of their beneficent sovereign. 
 After such a monster as Muley Ismael, with 
 whom, however, George I. concluded a treaty of 
 peace and amity, Sidi Mahomet, the late emperor, 
 was comparatively a good sort of a man. He 
 did not, like Muley Ismael, acquire a dexterity in 
 taking off heads, by practising on unoffending pas- 
 sengers, nor exercise himself in decapitating crimi- 
 nals, an amusement which he generally reserved for 
 the sabbath day — on the contrary, we are told, as a 
 favourable trait in his character, that 'Mie never put 
 a man to death with his own hand ;" but he tried 
 to do it once : " One of his officers, thinking him- 
 self wronged by him, expressed himself so firmly 
 in the royal presence, that the sultan, enraged, drew 
 his sabre, and cut him on the head with so definitive 
 an effort, that the weapon, by the violence of it, 
 flew out of his b.and. The officer took it from the 
 ground, wiped and presented it to his master to 
 finish the business, which impressive instance of 
 resigned resolution, so struck the despot, that he 
 relented, sheathed his sword, and took him into
 
 Sidi Mahomed. 101 
 
 favour ever after." Still, it appears from M. Jar- 
 dine, that the sovereij^n is the only legal execu- 
 tioner in his kinu:dom, and that his sentences, all 
 sudden inspirations, are put in cxecnlion, and heads 
 and hands chopped off, before the cause is half 
 heard. The hand of a thiet is disposed of with 
 very little ceremony, and the hsemorrhage immedi- 
 ately stopped by plunging the stump into boiling 
 pitch. This, says a recent traveller, obviates all 
 necessity for bandages, tourniquets, or dressings; 
 the criminal after this process is turned loose, and 
 no further inquiry made about,'him. 
 
 Sidi Mahomed affected a love of literature, and a 
 predilection for the malhematics ; to show the ex- 
 tent of his knowledge in this science, he used to 
 scratch on a board, with a pair of carpenter's com- 
 passes, the common mode of raising a perpendicu- 
 lar, which he had learned from a sea captain ; and 
 this exhibition he generally went through wiien any 
 Europeans visited his court. He lived to the age 
 of seventy-eight, but in a stale of such suspicion, 
 that he made his sons his tasters, and void of faith 
 in man, confided his chamber to a guard of blood- 
 hounds. 
 
 No person whatever, whether Moor or Cliristian, 
 was admitted into tlie presence of the sovereign, 
 but when accompanied with a handsome present, 
 more or less valuable, in proportion to the favour 
 intended to be requested. Even the Emperor's own 
 sons were not exempted from this custoiil) upon 
 paying their first visit after a previous absence. 
 The generosity of the suitor must not even stop 
 here ; for when the audience is over, the master of the 
 ceremonies with his servants, and the porters of all
 
 102 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 the gates in the palace, which are rather numerous, 
 have a claim for their perquisites, and are not to be 
 got ri<l of till they obtain something. Indeed, as 
 they receive no pay from their royal master, these 
 perquisites were the only means they had of obtain- 
 ing a subsistence.* 
 
 ♦All account of the fees which are usually paid by European 
 merchants to the Emperor's attendants. Consuls and ambassadors 
 of course pay more in proportion. 
 
 EXPENSES AT COURT. 
 
 To the Emperor — A more or less valuable present, according to the 
 favour which is expected. 
 
 To the master of the ceremonies for public audiences, who intro- 
 duces strangers to the Emperor — The same in proportion. 
 
 Ounces. 
 
 To the man who attends the Emperor at the Machoire - 20 
 
 To — who cleans ills muskets - - - 20 
 
 To — who has the care of his horses - - 20 
 
 To — wlio makes lea for the Emperor - - 10 
 
 To — who has ihe care of his lance - - 10 
 
 To — who has the care of liis umbrella - - 5 
 
 To — who has the care of the Emperor's saddles - 10 
 
 To the Emperor's coachman . _ _ .. 5 
 
 To the man who has the care of the Emperor's spurs - 5 
 
 To — who has the care of the Emperor's tents - Jd 
 
 To — who has the cate of the Emperor's slippers - 5 
 
 To — who yives ti)e Emperor water to drink - & 
 
 To — who takes care of the Emperor's chair - 5 
 
 To — who takes the flies oft' the Emperor's face - S 
 
 To — whit takes care of the Emperor's sword - 5 
 
 To — whu takes care of the Emperor's watch - S 
 
 To the porters of the Machoire, for ten gates - 40 
 
 To the Emperor's gardeners - - - - 10 
 
 To calling for each audience . - - - 10 
 
 Total - 20s 
 
 An ounce is a silver coin of nearly the stme value as five-pence 
 English.
 
 Court of Morocco. 103 
 
 An interesting account of the court of Muley 
 Ismael, one of the most cruel Eniperors, already 
 noticed, is given by Mr. Windhus, in his ' Jour- 
 ney to Mequinez,' and may he considered as a faith- 
 ful representation of the Morocco Court at the pre- 
 sent day. 
 
 " About eight or nine o'clock in the morning, his 
 trembling court assemble, nhich consists of his great 
 officers, and alcaydes, blacks, whites, tawnies, and his 
 favourite Jews, Memaran and Ben Hattar, all bare- 
 footed ; and there is bowing and whispering to this 
 and the other eunuch, to know if the Emperor has 
 been abroad, (for if he keeps within doors there is 
 no seeing him unless sent for ;) if he has returned in a 
 good humour, which is well known by his very looks 
 and motions ; and sometimes by the colour of the- 
 habit he wears, yellow being observed to be his 
 killing colour; from all which they calculate whe- 
 ther they may hope to live twenty-four hours 
 longer. 
 
 "If he conjes out, the necks are all held out, their 
 eyes fixed on tiie ground, and after this manner the 
 crouching creatures pay their homage. If he sj)eaks, 
 some swear by their God, what he says is true; 
 others at every pause he makes, cry out, God 
 lengthen thy days, my lord ; God bless thy life; 
 which once occasioned an accidental jest ; for he 
 was saying, May 1 be called the greatest of liars, 
 if I have not always conceived a great esteem for 
 the English, and making a little stop at the word 
 liars, his officious court cried, Yes, by G — d, it is 
 true, my lord. 
 
 " If he comes not out, he sometimes sends for some 
 ©fthem; at other times he has the door opened,
 
 104 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 and orders them al! to pass muster, and they go 
 one by one crinoinij; at his door. If lie only goes a 
 little way out of the gate of his palace, they follow 
 him on foot tiirough the dirt; and he is a great 
 man, and esteemed a great favourite, who advances 
 as far as Ids stirrup ; and if he lias occasion to 
 send a message, though never so trivial, the best 
 of then) are ready to run, without respect to age, 
 rank, or favour, (even his favourite Hameda used 
 to make his court this way) and return bespattered 
 up to their eyes, at least all over their white drawers, 
 and other garments which are white : nay, I have 
 heard that Haniet Ben Haddu Attar (who was am- 
 bassador in England in King Charles II. 's time) was 
 once surprised without his shoes, walking barefoot 
 in a great deal of dirt by his horse ; and without 
 regard to his age, or the pretence he had to his fa- 
 vour, was sent to the farthest part of the town in 
 that condition. 
 
 " Those days that he does not come abroad, the 
 courtiers remain in an alley of his palace till dinner- 
 time, when he 8en<ls them a great vessel of cuscusu, 
 which they fall upon without ceremony, and having 
 filled their bellies, return to their private affairs ; 
 but if he goes any distance from the town, those 
 who have the privilege to go with him call for their 
 horses, which are held by their servants at some 
 distance, none ever presuming to go unless bidden. 
 Sometimes when he goes out of lown, which is not 
 above once in two or three months, he will be at- 
 tended by fifteen or twenty thousand blacks on 
 horseback, with whom he now and then diverts him- 
 self at the lance. j 
 
 " In the year 1690, before he was master of Sahra,
 
 Court of Morocco. 105 
 
 there came a woman from that people to him, who, 
 hearing of her coniinj^, went to meet her <»n luirRe- 
 back, at the head of twenty thousand (ncii. She 
 told him the people of Sahra were desirous to put 
 themselves under tiis protection, hut iliat hf must 
 fight her at lance-piay, if he had a mind to have her, 
 at once the pledge of their fidelity, and (he prize of 
 his victory. She set him hard at first, hut after- 
 wards suffered herself to be overpowered, was put 
 among the rest of his women, and troops were sent 
 to protect the frontiers of Sahra. 
 
 " Wiiile he is abroad, there are carried after him a 
 stool, a kettle of water and a skin, (which is his 
 table-cloth) this belongs to his eating; and if he is 
 out at dinner-time, his dinner is carried after him 
 upon the head of a negro, in a great wooden or 
 copper vessel, which he does not take from his head 
 until the Emperor asks for it : the manner of his 
 eating does not differ from the ordinary 3Joors. 
 His other travelling utensils are two or three guns, 
 a sword or two, and two lances, because one broke 
 once as he was murdering; both the swords and 
 lances must be carried with their |)oints upwards ; 
 these are all carried by lusty fellows ; his boys 
 carry short Brasil sticks, knotted cords for whipping, 
 a change of clothes to shift when bloody, and a 
 hatchet, two of which he took in a Portuguese ship, 
 and the first time they were l)rought to him, killed 
 a negro without any provocation, to try if they icere 
 good. Although the natives of his dominions are 
 whites, yet they are not so njuch esteemed by him 
 as the blacks and the copper-coloured, to whom he 
 commits the guard of his person, and is so fond of 
 their breed, that he takes care to mix them himself, 
 
 3 P
 
 106 riOTURE OV BARBARY. ' 
 
 by often ordering great numbers of people before 
 him, whom he marries without any more ceremony, 
 than pointing to the man and woman, and saying, 
 Hadi yi hoiid Hadi, i. e. That take that ; npon 
 which the loving pair join together, and march off 
 as firmly noosed as if they had been married by a 
 Pope. He always yokes his best complexioned 
 subjects to a black help-mate; and the fair lady 
 must take up with a negro. 
 
 *' Thus he takes care to lay the foundation of his 
 tawny nurseries, to suj)ply his palace as he wants, 
 into which tliey are admitted very young, are 
 taught to w(Hship and obey the successor of their 
 Prophet, and being nursed in blood from their in- 
 fancy, become the executioners and ministers of his 
 wrath, whose terrible commands they put in exe- 
 cution with as much zeal and fury as if they had 
 received them immediately from heaven. Their 
 manner is, as soon as the word comes out of his 
 mouth, to seize on the wretch ordered for execution, 
 like so many lions, whom, if he is not to be exe- 
 cuted on the spot, they ahnost tear to pieces before 
 he gets to the place of execution : and by the fury 
 of their looks, and their violent and savage manner 
 of using him, make a scene very much resembling 
 the picture of so many devils tormenting the 
 damned. They are so ready to murder and destroy, 
 even wiiile young, that the alcaydes tremble at the 
 very sight of them, and the Emperor seems to take 
 a great deal of pleasure, and place much of his 
 safety in them, for they surround him almost 
 ^vherever he is ; they are of all ranks and degrees ; — 
 some are the sons of his chief alcaydes, others pick- 
 ed up by chance, or taken from a large negro town
 
 Cruelties at 3Iorocco. 107 
 
 joining to Mequinez, wliicli the Emperor has filled 
 with families of bhicks and tawnies for his use. If 
 they are well-looking and strong, they need no other 
 quality ; some who have relations that are able, are 
 fed, clothed, and lodged by tliem ; others who have 
 not, are lodged in the outskirts of the palace, in great 
 rooms, where they pig a hundred or two together. 
 They wear only a short and small coat without 
 sleeves, uhich does not reach to their knees ; their 
 heads are shaved, and always exposed to the sun, 
 for he affects to breed them hard. Most, and some- 
 times all of them, are employed in his buildings, 
 where they take off their clothes, and laying them 
 all in a heap, every one takes a basket, and removes 
 earth, stones, or wood ; when they have done, he 
 orders them to go to this Jew, and receive so much 
 soup; the next day they appear gay and under 
 arms; 
 
 " He beats them in the cruellest manner imagina- 
 ble, to try if they are hard ; sometimes you shall see 
 forty or fifty of them all sprawling in their blood, 
 none of them daring to rise till he leaves the place 
 where they are lying, and if they are discounte- 
 nanced and out of heart at this usage, they are of a 
 bastard breed, and must turn out of his service. I 
 never heard that he killed but three of them, one 
 for sodomy, and two for hiding a piece of bread in 
 the hole of a wall, which it is supjjosed they could 
 not eat, for they are great reverencers of bread, 
 and take up, as all Mahometans do, the least crumb 
 wherever they find it, and kiss it. When they want 
 clothes, the Emperor thinks of somebody that has 
 too much money, either Moor or Jew, and bids 
 them go to him, and receive each a coat or shirt.
 
 108 PICTURE OF BARRART. 
 
 " Tliey are generally about eight hundred in allj^ 
 and live will) hitn in a sort of subordination to one 
 anollur : several have the names of alcaydes, as the 
 chief of lliein wlio wait on the Emperor's person; 
 others 51 re made overseers of some task or work the 
 Enipfior has ordered them to finish ; some he 
 makes pei petnal alcaydes over a certain number of 
 his companions, and snrh a one is to answer for 
 the rest, as lo their diligence, cleanly and good de- 
 portment in all particulars : and it is wonderful to 
 see the insolence, state, and gravity of these young 
 rogues, and how they ape the old Emperor in their 
 way of government ; for though they can only inflict 
 blows, yet they use the haughty phrases of com- 
 mand, and talk of cutting throats, strangling, drag- 
 ging, &c. 
 
 '* The first mark of their preferment, after they 
 grow too biii to serve the Emperor in tliis nature, i» 
 giving lh(^ni ;> horse; (a horseman being in the high- 
 est esteeuj ima;»inal)le amongst ihem, and the foot 
 the contrary, insomuch that those who command 
 thousands of them, are not esteemed equal to the 
 commanders of fifty horse,) then the Emi)eror ei- 
 ther recommends tiiem to some of his bashas or 
 great alcaydes employed against the Christians, or 
 the Berebl)ers that inhabit the mountains, or keeps 
 them near him, and then they are ready to be in- 
 trusted wiih all important messages, as to carry the 
 Emperor's letter of thanks to any officer who serves 
 him well, or to call him cuckold, spit in his face, 
 give him a box on the ear, strangle, or cut off his 
 head . 
 
 " When they have waited a considerable time, if no 
 command or government becomes vacant, he sends 
 
 m
 
 Cruelties of Morocco. 109 
 
 them to gather the tribute of some country, with the 
 title of an alrnyde; and if he remains by him with- 
 out any einpN)yment (after perforn)in<j this service) 
 he is raMed t.'ie alcayde of his hea<l, which is a sort 
 of titidaralcayde; l)iit perlyaps the Emperor suspects 
 that he has put sometliiuii' more in liis pocket than or- 
 dinary ; ihcii !it^ bi<ls hiu) buihl souie liouses of such 
 or such <l'mensions ; and tliat he may secMii soutething 
 more reason;d)le liian ihe Eiiypliau task-niasters, 
 he bids him take his lime and stone: the poor man 
 begins with a good Iieart, and vviien he has spent 
 all, despair forces him to go to the Emperor, and 
 tell him he is not worth one farthing more, lest he 
 should find his work standing still, .md Ijnry him 
 alive in one of the walls. The Etnperor picks a 
 quarrel with him, cuts him with his sword, wounds 
 him with his lance, or takes oft" his clothes, all but 
 bis drawers, gives him five hundred blows on the 
 buttocks, puts him in prison, or loads hiu] with two 
 great chains, and sends him to labour at the house 
 he was building, and orders somebody else to finish 
 it. Now you must know tiie Emperor never beats 
 a man soundly, but the man is in the high, way of 
 preferment, and it is ten to one but his Majesty 
 passing by him in chains a few days after, and find- 
 ing him in a sad pickle, he calls him Ids dear friend. 
 Wide, or brother, and inquires how he came into 
 that condition, as if he knew nothing of the matter, 
 sends for a suit of his own clothes, (which is a great 
 compliuient) makes him as fine as a prince, and 
 sends him to govern some of his great towns; for 
 by this means he is sure he has not left him worth a 
 groat, and will make a careful computation of what
 
 110 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 he may get in his government, until it be his turn to 
 be squeezed again. 
 
 " They tell a story of a Spaniard, who was esteem- 
 a good niarksiuan, and bribed to shoot the Empe- 
 ror ; he so missed his aim, that the two balls he 
 had charged his gun with, flew into the pummel of 
 the Emperor's saddle. The man was immediately 
 seized, and when it was expected he would be put 
 to a crnel death, the Emperor first reproached him 
 ■with his base design., asking him what he had 
 done to deserve being used so, whether he was no 
 more bek)ved, and people were tired of him ; then 
 calmly sent him to the works among the rest of 
 the Christians. The Spaniard fearing he should not 
 come off so, and thinking it a means (if there was 
 any) to get his liberty again, turned Moor, but con- 
 tinued in his Christian habit. Some years after, the 
 Emperor going among the workmen where he was, 
 asked him why he did not pull off his hat? he an- 
 swered, he was a Moor; and the Emperor being 
 informed who he was, ordered him to be freed im- 
 mediately, asked him a thousand pardons for keep- 
 ing him at work so lorig, dressed him from head to 
 foot, and made him governor of some country. 
 
 *' A little more or less, this is the treatment of his 
 grandees, — to day hugged, kissed, and preferred; — 
 to-moirow stripped, roblied, and beaten. Many of 
 the ]>e()ple about him bear the marks of his sword, 
 lance, or short sticks ; and the face and arms of the 
 negro, who carried his umbrtlla when Captain Nor- 
 bury was there, were scarred all over with cuts that 
 the Empcrur had given him, it is supposed, for 
 letting the sun come upon him 5 for he is extremely
 
 City of Fez. Ill 
 
 nice in his tyranny, and when he has done with his 
 lance, he darts it suddenly into the air, and it must 
 be cauiiht before it comes to the i^TOund, or he will 
 kill the man appointed for that purpose. 
 
 If he chances to kill anybody when he has not 
 determined their death (as it frequently happens) he 
 civilly begs their pardon, and says, he did not design 
 to kill that poor nian, and lays ihe fault on God, 
 saying, his lime was come ; — the powers above 
 would have it so." 
 
 FEZ. 
 
 Fez is situated on the slope of several hills which 
 surround it on every side, except the north and 
 north-east. It is impossible lo compute exactly the 
 number of its inhabitants, but it is supposed to con- 
 tain abont 100, 000 souls. 
 
 The streets are very dark, because they are not 
 only so narrow that two men on horseback can 
 hardly ride together, but also because the houses, 
 which are very high, have on the lirst fioor a pro- 
 jection, which intercepts much of the light. This 
 inconvenience is increased by a sort of galleries or 
 passages, which connect the upper parts of the 
 houses, and by the high walls 'vhich are raised at 
 certain distances from one side of the street to the 
 other, as if to support the houses. This is also 
 the custom at Tetnan and Alcassar. These walls 
 have arciied passages, which are shut at night; and 
 the city becomes then divided into several quarters, 
 and all communication between any one part of 
 ^he town and the rest is effectually precluded.
 
 112 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 As the town is l)iiilt on inrlined planes, and the 
 ground is not paved, the streets ure very dirty, es- 
 pecinliy in rainy weather. It is then impossible to 
 walk wiihont h in<i^np to liie knees in nind. When 
 it is line, they are riean enough, because no nui- 
 sances are suffered to remain in (hem. But their in- 
 terior aspect is as (lisniireeal)!e as tl)at of every other 
 African town, frou) the nnmher of high waIN of the 
 houses, which always seem in a stale of ruin. iMany 
 are actually propped up; almost all are without 
 windows ; and the few windows which we meet 
 with are not larger than a common sheet of paper. 
 They are placed very high, and are ij^enerally either 
 shut «)r covered with blinds, from jealousy. The 
 doors have a shabby and mean ap|)earance. 
 
 Behind these high walls, wes nnetitnes tind houses 
 whose inside presents something like beauty; but 
 the general taste of the country requires that a man- 
 sion be composed of a court yard, surrounded with 
 a colonade, wiiicii forms a kind of gallery, both above 
 and below. By these galleries we reach their ad- 
 joining rooms, which usually have their liiiht only 
 from the door, and on this account the door is made 
 rather large. The rojiris are very long and narrow, 
 like those of Tangier. The ceilin?:', ma<le of j)lanks, 
 is very lofty, and in common houses without any or- 
 nament. In other houses, the ceiling, the doors of 
 the rooms, and the arcades of the court yard, are 
 decorated with arabesques in relievo, and painted 
 \Tith various colours, even covered wit!) gold and 
 silver. The floors of all the rooms are of bricks, 
 and, in rich houses, of flat square Dutch tiles, or of 
 marble of different colours, placed in such a manner 
 as to form designs rather pleasing. The stair-cases
 
 Mosques a7id Shops of Fez. 113 
 
 are very narrow, aiul the stairs hii»:l). The roofs of 
 the houses resemble those of Tany;ier, and are cover- 
 ed with stamped earth, about one foot thick. This 
 heavy load crushes the wails, without shelterinji: the 
 houses from rain ; and as they are made of bad lime 
 because the people are ignorant how to work it, they 
 soon give way. Mence few houses are durable, 
 Ahiiost ai! tiie walls are fissured or bulging, or lean- 
 ing out of tlie perpendicular, which gives them an 
 appearance of ruins and destruction. 
 
 Fez has a great number of mosques ; it is said 
 that they amount to more than two hundred. The 
 principal one is called El-Carouhin, which contains 
 above three hundred pillars ; but it is of a heavy and 
 mean construction. In its architecture it is not un- 
 like the great mosque of Tangier, except that it has 
 a greater number of arches, but of ihe same size, 
 form, and proportion, as in the other. This build- 
 ing is constructed of bricks, stones, and lime, but 
 without pillars, or any other architectural ornament. 
 It has a great number of gates, and two handsome 
 fountains in the court. 
 
 The number of shops is so very great as to give 
 an appearance of a population of three or four hun- 
 dred thousand inhabitants. But it is necessary to ob- 
 serve, that this multitude of shops forms a sort of con- 
 tinual fair to which the inhabitants of the country and 
 of the mountains daily resort to purchase what they 
 want. These people being divided into small dou- 
 ars, have neither shops nor work places of any kind 
 among themselves, and are therefore obliged to sup- 
 ply themselves in the town. 
 
 The markets for provisions are very numerous, 
 and may be compared to the European ones with re- 
 
 3 Q
 
 114 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 gard to the al)undance of all kind of productions. 
 Therp is also plenty of shops vvliere vi(;tuals ready 
 dressed are to be had, as in most of the Idr-^*- towns 
 in Europe. 
 
 The various trades and the different articles for sale 
 are divided into classes in separate streets, sothatone 
 sees a whole street occupied only l)y one profession, 
 or one kind of trade; others are fillefl wilii shops for 
 cloth, shops for silk, and productions brought from 
 over sea, and from the place called Ekaisseria. This 
 part is always well provided with European goods 
 imported by sea, as also with those brought from the 
 east by caravans and from the interior of Africa. 
 
 The Elcaisseria, as well as many other streets 
 that are filled with shops, are covered with wood 
 shaped into arabesques, with openings or windows 
 of various forms to admit air and light. These 
 streets are in general kept very clean ; the crowd as- 
 sembled there every day is as numerous as at a fair, 
 and migiit be roughly compared to the Galleries of 
 the Palais Royal at Paris. The Mahometan beau- 
 ties frequent it, but always wrapt up in their myste- 
 rious Hhaiks, which, however, tbey are cunning 
 enough to open now and then.
 
 115 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Account of the Inhabitants of Sarhary. — Classes of 
 JBerehhers and Arabs, including Moors, Turks, 
 Jews, ^v. — Their peculiar Maimers, Customs, Re- 
 ligion, 6fc. — Mode of Travelling in Barbary. 
 
 J- HE inhabitants of Barbary are principally com- 
 posed of two 2:reat and distinct classes, the Bereb- 
 bers and the Arabs, from the latler of whom and 
 their descendants, occasionally mixed with Eu- 
 ropeans and Negroes, is formed the great mass of 
 the population generally, but improperly known by 
 the name of Moors. Add to these the Jews and the 
 Negroes, the Christian slaves and renegadoes, and 
 we have all the component parts of the present po- 
 pulation of the Barbary States. Whether t'lis po- 
 pulation may amount to fifty or fifletMi niilJions, is 
 not at all known ; but the latter is probably nearest 
 the mark. It is with them, a sin against God, to 
 number the people. 
 
 The Berebbers, Braebers, or Barbars, are un- 
 questionably the descendants either of tlu^ Carthagi- 
 nian colonists, or of the people who prec«-ded 
 them, v\'ho, having opposed but a feeble resisiance 
 to the Romans, retired to the fastnesses of the 
 mountains, from which tney k«'()i up a desultory 
 warfare upon the successors of Mahomet : thus se- 
 cluded, they have preserved a language totally dif-
 
 116 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 ferent either from the Roman or the Arabic. This 
 original people ii)hal)it all the mountaiiions tracts 
 brancliino; fVoin Ihe lofty chains of Atlas, from its 
 most pastern limits, down to the river Snz. 
 
 The Berebhers are an athletic, hardy, and enter- 
 prizina' people, very patient of hunger and fatigue, 
 of regular and handsome features, but of a ferocious 
 expression. One remnrkable feature which charac- 
 terizes all the Berehber tribes is a scantiness of 
 beard, consisting of a few straofgling hairs on the 
 upper lip, and a small tuft on the chin : their whole 
 dress consists of a woollen jacket without sleeves, 
 leaving the arms naked and free, and a pair of 
 trowsers. They are abnost universally r(i!»liers, and 
 conunit all manner of excesses on the unhappy tra- 
 veller whn falls into their clutches, unrestranied by 
 any feelings of religion or humanity. Tenacious of 
 liberty, they are under little or no ronlroul of the 
 sovereign to whom they are nominally subjerts, and 
 one or other of the tribes is generally at war with 
 the troops sent t<i collect the taxes, or with the 
 Arabs of ihe plains. But, ferocious aiid faithless 
 as they are descril>ed to be, they are no less emi- 
 nently (listinguislied for hospitality than t!ie Arabs. 
 A traveller, furnished with their prolecti(Mi, which, 
 ho\\ever, must be purchased, may pass unmolested 
 through every jjarl of their country ; but without 
 such protection from some of their chiefs, he will be 
 betrayed, plundered, and niurdered without the 
 smallest scruple. 
 
 This extraordinary race o( men is divided into a 
 great number of petty tribes or clans, distinguished 
 by the names of their several patriarchs or founders, 
 who are generally celebrated for some particular act
 
 Berehhers. ] 1 7 
 
 of devotion, or some extraordinary exploit; for 
 thou2:!i the sword of the successors of IVTahomet 
 failed to conqner them, tiiey made a show of sub- 
 mittiii2; to the precepts of the Koran, and to the 
 coinmiiider of tlie faithful. They cultivate the 
 ground and feed cattle ; reside in mud huts, and 
 sometimes, tovvards the upper parts of the moun- 
 tain^, in caverns like the ancient Troglodytes ; but 
 lower down they build houses or hovels of stone 
 and limber, which are generally situated on some 
 rifting grouiul, or the summits of hills difficult of 
 access, sometimes surrounded with walls, in which 
 are loop-holes for defending their habitations with 
 musketry : they make their own fire-arms, and are 
 accounted excellent marksmen. 
 
 TheShilluh Berebbers are represented as impla- 
 cable in their enujities and insatiable in their re- 
 venge. A >Shilluh, having murdered a Shillnh in a 
 quarrel, fled to the Arabs, to avoid the vengeance 
 of the relations of the decased ; but not feeling him- 
 self secure even there, he performed a pil<>rimage 
 to Mecca : returning about nine years afterwards, 
 with the sacred character of a Hadjee or saint, he 
 immediately proposed a reconciliation with the 
 friends of the deceased ; they attempted to seize 
 him, but the fleetness of his horse favoured his es- 
 cape to Mogadore ; they pursued him to this place, 
 and notwithstanding the attempts of the governor 
 to effect a reconciliation, the fugitive was put in 
 prison. They then hastened to Morocco to demand 
 justice of the Emperor, who was interested in the 
 fate of the prisoner, and offered a pecuniary com- 
 pensation for the loss of their friend, which was 
 strenuously rejected. They returned to Mogadore
 
 118 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 with the Emperor's order for the delivery of the 
 prisoner into their hands; they conveyed the un- 
 happy man without the walls of the town, where 
 one of »he party loaded his musket before the face 
 of his victim, placed the muzzle to his breast, and 
 shof him through {lie body; then dravvin«»; his dag- 
 ger, slabbed him to the heart. "The calm intrepi- 
 dity (says a recent traveller) with which this unfor- 
 tunate Sbilluh stood to meet his fate, could not be 
 witnessed without the hii^hest admiration ; and 
 however much we must detest the blood-thirstmess 
 of his executioners, we must still ackuowledi;e that 
 there is somethinj^ closely allied to nobleness of sen- 
 timent in the intlexible perseverance, with which 
 they pursued the murderer of their friend to punish- 
 ment, without being diverted from their purpose by 
 the strong inducements of self interest." 
 
 Of the Arabs. 
 
 The Arabs, strictly speaking, compose the most 
 numerous class of population. They are scattered 
 over every part of Northern Africa^ and are found 
 even in the great desert to the confines of Soudan. 
 Those of the plains who dwell in tents, ujay be con- 
 sidered as the unmixed oflTspring of the Saracen 
 invaders of the country. They are a fine race of 
 men, tall and muscular, with good features and in- 
 telligent countenances, the eye large, black, and 
 piercin^, the nose somewhat arched, the teeth re- 
 gular and while as ivory, the beard full and bushy, 
 and the hair strong, straight, and universally black, 
 the colour of the skin in the northern parts a bright 
 clear brunette, darkening gradually into perfect
 
 (2^4/ ^
 
 Of the Arabs, 119 
 
 blackness, but still without the Negro features, as 
 we approacli the rountry of Soudan. They are 
 cultivators of the earth and breeders of cattle. 
 They live invariably in tents made of coarse stuff 
 of camel or goat's hair, and the tihroiis root of the 
 palmeta, in families that vary in number from ten 
 or twelve to a hundred. They all belong to their 
 respective tribes, each having its own sheick or 
 chief, wiio explains the Koran, administers justice, 
 and settles disputes, in the same way as the patri- 
 archs of old, and as is still the case on the plains of 
 Asia, from which they originally came. At each 
 encampment is a tent set apart for religious worship 
 and the reception of strangers — the Mehman Khanu 
 of the Belooches. Of an Arab encampment on the 
 plains of Morocco, a recent traveller observes : 
 *' Let any one who has travelled in Ireland, call up 
 in his mind the imagery of a vast tract of bog there 
 in an arid sun-burnt season, and an intense sununer's 
 day, without a cloud in the horizon, with here and 
 there remotely dispersed groups of about twenty 
 stacks of piled turf placed irregularly together; or 
 let them fancy themselves placed in a circle round 
 a central one, with a great herd of cattle not remote, 
 and hardly a human being visible, arjd he may thus 
 convey the general idea of an Arab country." 
 
 An Arab family moves from place to place, as the 
 land becomes exhausted and the pasturage fails: 
 as they increase, and their flocks and herds bt^come 
 too numerous for the food which the country af- 
 fords, they separate like Abraham and Lot, one 
 proceeding to the right and the other to the left. 
 When they march, the women sit in a group, per- 
 haps of three, on the back of the camel ; the younger
 
 120 PICTURE OP BARBAIY. 
 
 animals, sucli as children, lambs, kids, and so forth, 
 are allotted their places in the panniers on each 
 side. The fowls, whose forecast and viiiilniiee pre- 
 dict the approaching movement ' f the niennue in due 
 time, flock to secure themselve a st-ttlrnunt. where- 
 ever a projecting point of the lean frame of the quad- 
 ruped affords them a promise of security. Thus, 
 guarded by a few men on horseback, with their 
 muskets rested across their pummels, and the rest 
 driving their herds, they are met in their mi- 
 grations 
 
 Jm|)atient of restraint, and fojidly attached to in- 
 dependence, lew Arabs are found in my of the 
 towns ; but they briiiii their protluce to market, 
 pitching their tents on the nearest spot where grass 
 and water are mei with. Tliey are almost always 
 at war. either with one aaolher, or with ihe Bereb- 
 bers, or, like these people, with the troops of their 
 respective Moorish sovereions, wlio are sent to col 
 lect the taxes ; and their ho>*tililie» are carried on 
 with the most savage brutality, sparing ueitlier age 
 nor sex. War may be said to be the wandering 
 Arab's trade, and pbuKiering hi« revenue ; when 
 they have neither quarrels among themselves nor 
 their neighbours, they usually seek for hire among 
 the deys <u' bashaws, as auxiliary troops. One 
 commoti sentiment of hatred to Christians seenis to 
 pervade the whole community. More violent than 
 the Moor or the Berebber, he is, however, less 
 treacjjerous, and seldom conceals his antipathy. 
 The hospitality of an .4.rab is proverbi d, but it ex- 
 erts itself no farther than the little circiuuference 
 of the plain of which his encampment is the centre; 
 bfcsyond this he feels no compunction in plundering
 
 Manners of the Arabs. 1 2 1 
 
 or murdering the guest whom lie had fed, lodged, 
 and protected, the preceding niglit. Of tlii.s we 
 have a strongly characteristic instance in the fol- 
 lowing anecdote, from an entertaining traveller. 
 
 A chief of a party of the Bey's (of Tripoli) iroops^ 
 pursued by the Arabs, lost his way, and was be- 
 nighted near the enemy's camp. Passing the door 
 of a tent tliat was open, he stopped his horse and 
 implored assistance, being almost overcome and ex- 
 hausted with fatigue and thirst. The warlike Arab 
 bid his enemy enter his tent with confidence, and 
 ti-eated him with all the hospitality and respect for 
 which this people are so famous. The highest 
 among them, like the heroes of old, wait on their 
 guest. A man of rank, when visited by a stranger, 
 quickly fetches a lamb from his flock and kills it, 
 and his wife superintends her women in dressing it 
 in the best manner. With some of the Arabs, the 
 primitive custom of washing the feet is yet adopted, 
 and this compliment is performed by the head of 
 the family. Their supper was the best of the fattest 
 lamb roasted, their dessert, dates and dried fruit; 
 and the lady of the tent, to honour more particularly 
 her husband's guest, set before him a dish of bosseett 
 of her own making. It w as flour and water kneaded 
 into a paste, and left on a cloth to rise while the 
 fire was lighted; then throwing it on the embers, 
 and turning it often, it was taken off half-baked, 
 broke into pieces, and kneaded again with new 
 milk, oil, and salt, made into the shape of a pud- 
 ding, and garnished with macleed, which isl small 
 bits of mutton dried and salted in the highest 
 manner. 
 
 Though these two chiefs were opposed in war, 
 
 4 R
 
 122 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 they talked with candour and friendship to each 
 other, reconnting the achievements of themselves 
 and their ancestors, when a sudden paleness over- 
 spread the countenance of the host. He started 
 from ids seat and retired, and in a few moments 
 afterwards sent word to his guest that his bed was 
 prepared, and all tilings ready for his repose ; that he 
 was not well Idmself, and could not attend to finish 
 his repast ; that he had examined the Moor's horse, 
 and found it too much exhausted to bear him 
 through a hard journey the next day ; but that be- 
 fore sun- rise an able horse, with every accommoda- 
 tion, would he ready at the door of the tent, where 
 he would meet him and expect him to depart with 
 all expedition. The stranger, not able to account 
 farther for the conduct of his host, retired to rest. 
 
 An Arab waked him in time to take refreshment 
 before his departure, which was ready prepared for 
 him ; but he saw none of the family till he perceiv- 
 ed, on reaching the door of the tent, the master of 
 it holding the bridle of his horse, and supporting 
 his stirrups for him to mount, which is done among 
 the Arabs as the last office of friendship. No sooner 
 ■was the stranger mounted, than his host announced 
 to him, that, through the whole of the enemy's 
 camp, he had not so great an enemy to dread as 
 himself. " Last night, (said he,) in the exploits of 
 your ancestors, you discovered to me the murderer 
 of my father. There lie all the habits he was slain 
 in," (which were at that moment brought to the 
 door of the tent,) *' over which, in the presence of 
 my family, I have many times sworn to revenge his 
 death, and to seek the blood of his murderer from 
 sun-rise to sun-set. The sun has nat yet risen, the
 
 The Arab Women. 12.1 
 
 sun will be no more than risen when I pnrsue you, 
 after you have in safety quitted my tent, where, for- 
 tunately for you, it is against our religion to molest 
 you, after your having sought my protection, and 
 found a refuge there; but all my obligations cease 
 as soon as we part, and from tiiat moment \ou must 
 consider me as one determined on your destruction, 
 in whatever part, or at whatever distance, we may 
 meet again. You have not nu^unted a horse infe- 
 rior to the one that stands ready for myself; on its 
 swiftness surpassing that of mine depends one of 
 our lives or both." After saying this, he shook his 
 adversary by the hand and parted from him. The 
 Moor, profiting of the few moments he had in ad- 
 vance, reached the Bey's army in time to escape his 
 pursuer, who followed him closely as near the ene- 
 my's camp as he could with safety.* 
 
 The Arab women are relieved from the drudgery 
 of tilling the land, but they grind the corn in the 
 primitive mill, consisting of a moveable stone, with 
 a handle turned round on a fixed one, and weave 
 the coarse web with the simplest of all looms — two 
 or three pieces of stick. They also prepare the 
 cooscosoo, or granulated paste, in which is smothered 
 any kind of animal food, a dish universally in use 
 from Arabia to the shores of the Atlantic, and not 
 unlike the pilaw of India, the granulated flour of 
 wheat being substituted for rice. The women also 
 milk the cattle, look after the poultry, and are ge- 
 nerally employed in all the domestic concerns which 
 fall to the lot of the weaker sex in the civilized 
 
 Tully's Narrative, p. 78,
 
 124 PICTURE OF BAKBAftV. 
 
 countries of Europe. The whole fauiily sleep in 
 the same tent, generally on sheep skins. Each pa- 
 rent furnishes his child, on marriage, with a tent, a 
 stone hand-mill, a basket, a wooden howl, two 
 earthen disiies, and as many camels, cows, sheep, 
 and goats as circumstances will allow. 
 
 Some further interesting particulars of the Arabs 
 we glean from the excellent Travels of Dr. Shaw. 
 
 Notwiliistanding the skill of their ancestors in 
 arithmetic and algebra, not one in twenty thousand 
 appears to be at present acquainted with the first 
 operations in these fundamental branches of the 
 mathematics ; yet the merchants are very dexterous 
 in addition and subtraction by memory ; and have 
 also a singular method of numeration, by putting 
 their hands into each others' sleeves, and touching 
 each other with this or that tinger, or a particular 
 joint, each denoting a determined sum or number. 
 Thus, without moving their lips, they conclude 
 bargains of the greatest value. 
 
 Several tribes of the Arabs go bareheaded in all 
 seasons, as Massanissa did of old, binding their 
 temples only with a narrow fillet, to prevent their 
 hair from falling into their eyes. The Moors and 
 Turks, however, with some of the richer Arabs, 
 wear a sniall cap of scarlet woollen cloth, the ma- 
 nufacture of the country. The turban is folded 
 round the i)ottom of those caps, and, by the fashion 
 of the folds, the different civil and military ranks 
 are distinguisiied. 
 
 The Aiabs wear a loose garment, called a hyke, 
 which is usually six yards long, and five in breadth. 
 This they wrap round them, girding it with a sash, 
 and by day it serves for a complete dress, and by
 
 Dress of the Arabs. 125 
 
 night for a bed and covering. Above the hyke they 
 have a cloak, or upper garment, called a Bnrnoose, 
 which is woven in one piece, willi a kind of hood to 
 receive the head. It is tight about tlie neck, and 
 widens below, according to the shape. This cloak 
 is never worn except in rainy or severe wealher. 
 
 Some of them have a close bodied frock, or tunic, 
 under their hyke, with or wilhont sleeves, When 
 warm with exercise, this is the otdy vestment they 
 retain. 
 
 Their girdles are usually of worsted, woven into a 
 variety of figures, and made to wrap several limes 
 round their bodies. One extretnity, being doubled 
 and sewed along the edges, serves for a parse. In 
 this girdle the Turks and Arabs fix their knives 
 and poignards ; while the vvriters distingnish them- 
 selves by an inkhorn, suspended in the same si- 
 tuation. 
 
 The Turks and Moors wear linen under their 
 tunics; but the Arabs, in general, have only woollen 
 vestments. However, it is customary for the bride- 
 groom and bride of the latter nation to wear a shirt 
 at the celebration of their nuptials, which they never 
 pull off while it will hang together. The sleeves of 
 those worn by the men are wide and open at the 
 wrists, while those of the women are made of gauze 
 and different coloured ribands interchangeably 
 sewed together. 
 
 The Bedoweens, who live in tents, do not usually 
 wear drawers ; but the citizens of both sexes e^ene- 
 rally appear in them, especially when they go abroad, 
 or receive visits. The virgins are distinguished 
 from the matrons, by having this part of their dress 
 made of needlework, striped silk, or linen ; but
 
 126 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 when the women are iu their domestic privacies, 
 they lay aside all their other vestments, and bind 
 only a towel round tlieir loins. 
 
 The lives of the Arabs are one continual round of 
 indolence or amusement. When they are not called 
 abroad by any pastime, they spend the day in loi- 
 tering at home, smokiui^ their pipes, and reposing 
 themselves under some neighbouring shade. They 
 have not the least relish for domestic enjoyments ; 
 and are sehlom known to converse with their wives, 
 or to fondle their children. 
 
 The Arab places his highest satisfaction in his 
 horse, and is seldom alert init when riding full 
 speed, or engaged in the chase. The eastern na- 
 tions, in general, are very accomplished horsemen, 
 and delight in himting. 
 
 When the lion is the noble game they pursue, a 
 whole district is sumnjoned to appear, who, forming 
 themselves into a circle, at tirst inclose a space 
 three or four miles in circuit, according to the num- 
 ber of the people, and the nature of the ground. 
 The pedestrians advance first, rushing into the 
 thickets with their dogs and iances, to rouse the 
 game, while the horsemen keep in readiness to sally 
 on the savage. 
 
 They still proceed, contracting the circle, till at 
 last they either close in together, or meet with their 
 game. The accidental pastime on these occasions 
 is sometimes extremely diverting ; for, the various 
 animals within the circle being thus driven into a 
 heap, they seldom fail having some agreeable chases 
 after hares, jackals, leopards, or other wild animals. 
 Tt is a common observation in this country, that the 
 moment the lion is roused, he will endeavour to
 
 Diversions of the Arabs. 127 
 
 seize on the person nearest him, and suflTer himself 
 to be cut in pieces, hefore he will relinquish his 
 hold. 
 
 Hawking is a principal diversion among the Arabs 
 and the gentry of the kingdom of Tunis, where tiie 
 woods afford a beanliful variety of hawks and fal- 
 cons. Those who delight in fowling, instead of 
 springing the game with dogs, shade themselves 
 with a piece of canvass stretched upon two reeds, 
 and painted with the figure of a leopard. Thus 
 concealed, the fowler walks through tlie brakes and 
 avenues, looking through some apertures a little 
 below the bottom of the screen, to observe what 
 passes before him. 
 
 It is singular, that the partridges and some other 
 birds, on the approach of the canvass, covey toge- 
 ther ; while the woodcock, quail, and other grega- 
 rious birds, will, on seeing it, stand still with a look 
 of astonishment. Thus the sportsman has an op- 
 portunity of coming near them ; when resting the 
 screen upon the ground, and directing the muzzle 
 of his piece through one of the holes, he sometimes 
 kills a whole covey at once. 
 
 The Arabs have also another method of catching 
 partridges ; for, observing that, after being sprung- 
 two or three times, they become fatigued and lan- 
 guid ; they then run in upon them, and knock them 
 down with sticks, called zer wattles, bound round 
 with iron, or inlaid with pewter or brass. Many of 
 the Arabs, indeed, are not masters of a tirelock, and 
 therefore this is one of their usual weapons. 
 
 In this country, persons of the highest character, 
 like the ancient patriarchs and the heroes in Homer, 
 perform the most menial offices. The greatest
 
 128 PICTURE OF BARBARY* 
 
 prince is not ashamed to fetch a lamb from his flock^ 
 and kill it; while the princess hastens to prepare 
 her fire and kettle to dress it. 
 
 No nation is more superstitions than the Arabs, 
 or even the i^enerality of the Turks. They sus-^ 
 pend the figure of a naked hand round the necks of 
 their children, and paint upon it their ships and 
 houses, as a protection against an evil eye. The 
 adults always carry about with them some para- 
 graph of tlie Koran, wliich they j)lace under their 
 breast, or sew under their caps, to avert fascination 
 and witchcraft, and to secure them from sickness 
 and misfortunes. The efficacy of those charms are 
 supposed to be so universal, that they also hang 
 them round the necks of their cattle and horses. 
 
 An opinion is very widely disseminated and be- 
 lieved, that many diseases proceed from some 
 oflfence given to the Jenoune, a sort of beings placed 
 by the Mahometans between angels and devils. 
 These are supposed to frequent shades and foun- 
 tains, and to assume the form of reptiles, which, 
 being always in their way, are liable to be molested 
 and hurt. When any one therefore is maimed or 
 sickly, he fancies he has injured one of these in- 
 visible agents, and immediately the women, who are 
 skilled in these ceremonies, go on a Wednesday with 
 frankincense and other perfumes to some neigh- 
 bouring spring, and there sacrifice a cock or a hen, 
 a ram or an ewe, according to the sex and quality 
 of the patient, and the nature of the malady. 
 
 The Mahometans have a great veneration for 
 their Marai)hutts, who are generally persons of an 
 austere and rigid life, continually employed in 
 counting over their beads, or in meditation and
 
 Of the Jews. 129 
 
 prayer. Their chaj3let asnally consists of ninety- 
 nine beads, on toiirhing- each of which they either 
 say, '* God be praised, — God is great,— -or God 
 forgive me." This saintship goes by succession, 
 and the son, provided he can pnt a grave face on 
 the matter, is entitled to the same reverence and 
 esteem with the father. 
 
 Of the Jews. 
 
 The intolerance and oppression which this sin- 
 gular people suffered in Spain and Portugal, drove 
 vast multitudes of them to seek shelter among the 
 barbarians of Africa. It has been loosely stated, 
 that 100,000 took refuge in Morocco, and about 
 half that number in the other Barbary states. The 
 stock, however, had long before that event taken 
 root in this quarter of the world, and in all proba- 
 bility was transplanted together with the original 
 settlers from Plicenicia. No insult, indignity, or 
 oppression prevents the Israelite from domiciliating 
 himself, wherever he happens to fix his abode. Ho 
 is a plant that seems to be suited for every soil, and 
 generally thrives best where the pruning knife is 
 most applied. Among the Moors he is made to 
 suffer beyond what any nature but that of a Jew 
 could bear ; yet such is the ignorance of the ruling 
 powers and their Moorish subjects, that the affairs 
 of state could hardly be carried on without him. 
 Most of the trades and professions are exercised by 
 Jews; they farm the revenues; act as commissa- 
 ries and custom-house officers ; as secretaries and 
 interpreters ; they coin money ; furnish and fabri- 
 cate all the jewellery, gold and silver ornaments and 
 4 s
 
 130 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 trappings for the Sultans, Beys, and Bashaws, and 
 their respective haienis ; — and in return for all this, 
 they are oppressed by the higher ranks, and reviled 
 and insulted by the rabble. They live chiefly in the 
 great towns, confined to a particular quarter, in mi- 
 serai)le mud-built hovels surrounded with filth; but 
 this appearance of poverty does not save their 
 purses : they are subject to arbitrary impositions, 
 and pay a capitation tax from a certain age. If the 
 period of payment be disputed, a strini^ is put round 
 the lad's neck, and afterwards doubled in length 
 and put into his mouth ; if then, and thus, it pass 
 over his head, he is deemed an object of taxation ; 
 — each Jew appears in person to pay his quota ; 
 and this being done, a Moor touches him on the 
 head with a switch, and says, *' Jump ;" whereupon 
 the Jew goes his way. 
 
 Black being a hated colour among the Moors, is 
 the only one permitted to the Jews. In walking 
 the streets, they are subject to every kind of insult, 
 even from children ; should the Jew raise his hand 
 in self-defence, it is lopped oflf; but if the Jew be 
 murdered by a Mussulman, the life of the latter is 
 not in the least danger. 
 
 A Moor having murdered a Jewish merchant, 
 cut his body in pieces, and threw^ them into the 
 shafts or ventilators of the aqueduct. The Jews by 
 a sedulous search discovered the murderer, who 
 was seized and thrown into prison, where he was to 
 undergo the bastinado ; but the Jew s being impa- 
 tient, collected in crowds round the palace, and 
 clamoured for justice. The sultan, thus assailed, 
 ordered his guards to drive the infidels to their
 
 Oppressed State of ihe Jews. 131 
 
 quarter ; and imposed a heavy fine on tliem for 
 their audacity. 
 
 A Moor may enter a Jew's house, disturb the fa- 
 mily at unseasoaable hours, and insult the women*; 
 yet the Israelite " dares not to insinuate to him the 
 slightest hint, that his walking out as soon as it suit- 
 ed his convenience, would be any way acceptable." 
 In passing a mosque, they must pull off their slip- 
 pers, and walk barefooted ; the task of burying exe- 
 cuted criminals devolves on the Jews ; the wild 
 beasts in the menagerie are fed and cleaned by 
 them. It is frequently necessary, in some of the 
 western ports of Morocco, to carry Europeans wish- 
 ing to land, through the surf of the Atlantic; it 
 would be degradation in a Moor to carry a Chris- 
 tian, and he is therefore hoisted upon the shoulders 
 of an Israelite. The Jew can neither shift his place 
 of residence, nor ride a horse, nor wear a sword, with- 
 out special permission. Yet under all these vex- 
 atious and degrading circumstances, a Jew renega- 
 do is scarcely known : they are allowed the free ex- 
 ercise of their religion, and it would seem as if this 
 indulgence were considered a compensation for all 
 their sufferings. They sometimes, however, become 
 converts to the Mahomedan faith, but meet with 
 little encouragement, and have no respect paid to 
 them on this account. 
 
 Though the Jew must appear in black clothing 
 in the streets, yet in his own quarter he dresses in 
 splendid but oddly assorted finery. Their friendly 
 meetings are generally held on the housetop; where, 
 on the sabbaths and holidays, the men appear in 
 velvet, and laced like Spanish admirals, with a
 
 132 PICTURE OF BARRARY. 
 
 greasy night-cap on the head, just barely showing 
 that it had once been white, surmonnted by a great 
 three-cocked hat, with a broad gold lace. The la- 
 dies too are loaded with jewels, and the daugh- 
 ters of Israel, in thi.^ part of Africa, are said to pre- 
 serve the two characteristics of female beauty — an 
 expressive set of features, and fine dark eyes ; nei- 
 ther of which, however, are improved by the un- 
 sparing use of paint. Their dress consists of a fine 
 linen shirt, with loose sleeves hanging almost to the 
 ground ; over this a caftan of cloth or velvet, reach- 
 ing to the hips, and open in front, to expose the 
 neck and bosom, the edges generally end>roidered 
 with gold ; over this a petticoat, generally of green 
 cloth, also embroidered, and a broad sash of silk 
 and gold round the waist, wiih the ends hanging 
 down behind ; a silk sash binds the hair with the 
 ends flowing loose; and red slippers embroidered 
 with gold complete the costume. The young Jew- 
 ess is not permitted to go out without her face 
 muffled uj), in tiie manner of the Moors; but the 
 matrons may apj)ear in public unveilefl ; and though 
 the elderly ladies are exceedingly strict, witii regard 
 totheconduci of the young ones, they are said to 
 be by no means averse to a little gallantry on their 
 own account. 
 
 Of the Moors. 
 
 The Moors, so called by Europeans, are a mix- 
 ture of all nations who have at any time settled in 
 North Africa; but the predominant character, phy- 
 sical and moral, is that of the Arab or Saracen. 
 The name is unknown to themselves, and if you
 
 o 
 
 'r>-(>r.
 
 Mamiers of the Moors. 133 
 
 ask a Moor what he calls himself, he will answer 
 that he is a MoosUm, or believer. — His country? 
 Hied Mooslimiu, the land of believers. Tiie Arabs 
 distinguish them by the name of Meduinien, or 
 town's-people. Europeans, however, are in I he fia- 
 bit of applying indiscriminately the ierm Moor, not 
 only to the njass of })opnlatir,n in Noiiiuru Africa, 
 but throughout all Asia to the conhnes -t China ; it 
 is in fact almost synonimous with MussMlman. 
 The Moors of Africa are rigid disciples oi" Maho- 
 met ; they pray five times a day witls the face turned 
 toward Mecca; pertoi'm their ablutions ; circuujcise 
 their male children; believe thai every nv.m's fjes- 
 tiny is pre ordained, and written in the Ixxsk of fate; 
 hate ai]d despise Ciiristians and Jews; shut up their 
 women ; and eat cuscusoo. They are gen* rally 
 found to be an indolent anrl inactive race, speiiii ig 
 whole days in sitting cross-legged with their bar^ks 
 against a wall, looking: with invin< 'de taciturnity 
 at the pr^'-ipngers in the streets; jpa j is, deceittVd, 
 and rrov'l, distrustful of thtMr neigliaours, aisd stran- 
 gers to every social tie; the father fears the sou — 
 the son the father, and this lamental>!t' want of 
 confidence diffuses itself throughout the whole com- 
 munity. 
 
 The Moors are naturally of a grave and pensive 
 disposition, fervid in professions of friendship, hut 
 very insincere in iheir attachments. They liave no 
 curiosity, no and)ition of knowledge; an indolent 
 habit, united to the want of mental cultivation, ren- 
 ders them perhaps even more callous than other un- 
 enlightened people to every delicate sensation, and 
 they require more ian ordinary excitement to ren- 
 der them sensible of pleasure or of pain. It is to
 
 134 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 this circninstance, and to their religion, which 
 teaches them to impute every thing to a blind pre- 
 destination, that we may attribute that passive obe- 
 dience which the Moors discover under all their 
 misfortunes and oppressions. This languor of sen- 
 timent is, however, unaccompanied with ihe small- 
 est spark of courage or fortitude. When in adver- 
 sity, they manifest the most abject submission to 
 their superiors, and in prosperity their tyranny and 
 pride is insupportable. They frec(uently smile, but 
 seldom are heard to laugh loud. The most infal- 
 lible mark of internal tranquillity and enjoyment is, 
 when they amuse themselves vvith stroking or play- 
 ing \\'\i\\ the beard. When roused by resentment, 
 their disputes rarely proceed further than violently 
 to abuse each other in the most opprobrious lan- 
 guage. They never fight or box with their fists, like 
 our peasantry, but when a quarrel proceeds to great 
 extremities, they collar each other, and sometimes 
 terminate a dispute by assassination. 
 
 The Moors speak very loud, and generally two 
 or three at a time, as they are not very exact in 
 waiting for a leply. Useless as the forms of polite- 
 ness may appear in the eye of the philosopher, there 
 are souie of them which probably conduce in no 
 trifling degree to even our intellectual excellence 
 and improvement. 
 
 Personal cleanliness has been pointed out by mo- 
 dern philosophers as one of those circumstances 
 which serve to mark and determine the civilization 
 of a people. It was in vain that Mahomet enjoined 
 the frequency of ablution as a religious duty to the 
 Moors. Their dress, which should be white, is but 
 seldom washed, and their whole appearance evinces
 
 Manners of the Moors. 135 
 
 that they perforin this branch of their relis^ious cere- 
 monies in but a slovenly manner. With this degree 
 of negliirence as to their persons, we may be justly 
 surpris'ed to find united a most scrupulous nicety in 
 their habitations and apartments. They enter their 
 chambers barefooted, and cannot bear the slightest 
 degree of contamination near the place where they 
 are seated. This delicacy again is much confined 
 to the insides of their houses. The streets receive 
 the whole of their rubbish and filth, and by these 
 means the ground is so raised in most parts of the 
 city of Morocco, that the new buildings always stand 
 considerably higlier than the old. 
 
 The persons of the Moorish men are so disguised 
 by their dress, that it is impossible to acquire any 
 good idea of their form or proportion. In height 
 they are commonly above the middle size, and they 
 are rather meagre than fat. Their complexions in 
 general are sallow in the northern parts of the em- 
 pire, but are darker iu proportion to their situation 
 towards the south. Their features have universally 
 a great sameness. Their eyes are black and full, 
 they have an aquiline nose, and in general a good 
 set of teeth. 
 
 The dress of the men consists of a short linen 
 shirt, with large and loose sleeves hanging half-way 
 down to the ground. A pair of loose linen drawers 
 reaching almost to the ankle; over which they wear 
 another loose pair, made of woollen cloth. Over 
 the shirt they wear two or three woollen cloth waist- 
 coats of different colours, and of European manu- 
 facture ; these garments are made fid 1 as loose as 
 our great coats ; they are connected before by very 
 small buttons, and are fastened tight round the
 
 136 PieT0RE OF BARBARY. 
 
 waist by a silk belt. Over these waistcoats they 
 throw a velvet cord, which crosses the right shoul- 
 der, and suspends on the left side a curved dagger 
 or knife, sheathed in a brass case. This is the 
 dress the Moors wear when in their houses :, but 
 when they go al>road, they cover U with the haick, a 
 part of dress which has been already noticed. It 
 is thrown over the whole of their other clothing in a 
 careless, bnt easy manner, something similar to the 
 Scotch plaid. When ihe weather is wet or cold, in- 
 stead of the haick, the Moors substitute the'sulam; 
 which is a large hooded cloak, reaching to the heels, 
 all of one piece, and made of blue or white woollen 
 cloth of I'Airopean manufacture, without seams, close 
 before, and ornamented with silk fringes at the ex- 
 tremities on the breast, and the ends of the hood 
 terminating with a silk tassel. The latter part of 
 the dress is fixed on the head by means of a strong 
 cord of camel's hair ; and among the common peo- 
 ple, it often supplies the place of a cap or turban. 
 
 Those Moors who have performed a pilgrimage to 
 Mecca are entitled to wear a turban, and are named 
 Ell-hatch. They are always treated with peculiar 
 respect. Even those beasts of burden indeed which 
 have performed this journey are held in great vene- 
 ration, and upon their return are exempted from la- 
 bour. The other class of Moors wear only plain red 
 caps. The Moors in general shave their heads close, 
 leaving on the upper part a single lock, and wear 
 their beards long. They use no stockings or shoes, 
 but sulj.vtituip in the place of the latter yellow slip- 
 pers. They are very fond of beads, of which the 
 better order always carry a rosary in their hands ; 
 but they use them more as a matter of amusement
 
 r 
 
 o-/n/^7^y.
 
 The Moorish Women. 137 
 
 than for anj' religious purpose. Many also wear 
 plain gold rings on their fingers ; and those whose 
 circumstances will allow thein to go to that expense, 
 possess likewise watches, which, like the rosary, 
 they consider rathei* as an ornament than an article 
 from which any great utility can be derived. Very 
 few in fact, are properly acquainted with their use. 
 This may serve to give some idea of the dress of 
 the rich ; but among the poorer class of people 
 some wear the linen drawers, shirt, and one woollen 
 waistcoat, and over it the haick ; and others have 
 meiely a coarse woollen frock, belted round the 
 waist, and covered with the haick. 
 
 The Moorish Women, 
 
 From the idea which is so prevalent with this 
 people^, that corpulency is the most infallible mark 
 of beauty, the women use a grain which they name 
 ellJiouba, for the purpose of acquiring that degree 
 of personal excellence at which they aspire ; this 
 they powder and eat with their cuscosoo. They 
 likewise take with the same intention, large quanti- 
 ties of paste, heated by the steam of boiling water, 
 which they swallow in the form of boluses. It is 
 certainly true, that the number of corpulent women 
 in this country is very considera'ule, but it is pro- 
 bable that this circumstance arises as much from 
 their very confined and inactive mode of life, as 
 from any of the particular means which they em- 
 ploy to produce that effect. 
 
 The dress of the ladies consists of a shirt, with 
 remarkably full and loose sleeves, hanging almost 
 
 4 T
 
 138 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 to the ground, the neck and breast of which are left 
 open, and their edges are neatly embroidered with 
 gold. They wear linen drawers, and over the shirt 
 a caftan, which is a dress something similar in form 
 to a loose great coat without sleeves, hanging nearly 
 to the feet, and is made either of silk and cotton or 
 gold tissue. A sash of fine linen or cotton folded, 
 is tied gracefully round the waist, and its extremi- 
 ties fall below the knees. To this sash two broad 
 straps are annexed, and passing under each arm 
 over the shoulders form a cross on the breast, and 
 to that part of it which passes between the breast 
 and shoulder of each arm is fixed a gold tortoise, 
 carelessly suspending in front a gold chain. Over 
 the whole dress is extended a broad silk band of 
 the Fez manufacture, which surrounds the waist, 
 and completes the dress, except when they go 
 abroad, and then they invest themselves in a care- 
 less manner with the haick. 
 
 The hair is plaited from the front of the head 
 backwards in different folds, which hang loose be- 
 hind, and at the bottom are all fixed together with 
 twisted silk. Over their heads they wear a long 
 piece of silk about half a yard wide, which they tie 
 close to the head, and suffer the long ends which 
 are edged with twisted silk, to hang behind in an 
 easy manner nearly to the ground. The remainder 
 of the head-dress is completed by a common silk 
 handkerchief, which surrounds the head like a 
 woman's close cap, differing from it only by being 
 fixed in a full bow behind, instead of in front. At 
 the upper part of each ear hangs a small gold ring, 
 half open, which has atone end a cluster of precious 
 stones, sufficient nearly to fill up the vacancy occa-
 
 The Moorish Women. 139 
 
 sioned by the opening of the ring. At the tip or 
 lower part of the ear, is likewise suspended a broad 
 and solid gold ring, which is so large that it reaches 
 as low as the neck, and which, as well as the other, 
 has a cluster of precious stones, in proportion to 
 the size of the ring. The ladies wear on their fin- 
 gers several small gold rings, set with diamonds or 
 other precious stones, and on the wrists broad and 
 solid gold bracelets, sometimes also set witli precious 
 stones. Their necks are ornamented with a great 
 variety of bead and pearl necklaces. Below these 
 a gold chain surrounds the neck, and suspends 
 in front a gold ornamnet. 
 
 Like the men, the Moorish women wear no 
 stockings, but use red slippers, curiously embroi- 
 dered with gold, which they take off when they 
 enter their rooms. Immediately above the ancle, 
 each leg is surrounded with a large solid gold ring, 
 which is narrow in front, but very broad behind. 
 
 The ladies paint their cheeks of a deep red, and 
 stain their eye-lids and eye-brows with a black 
 powder, probably of antimony. It is a branch of 
 artificial beauty in this coimtry, to produce a 
 long black mark on the forehead, another on 
 the tip of the nose, and several others on each 
 cheek. The chin is stained of a deep red, and 
 thence down to the throat runs a long black stripe. 
 The inside of the hands and the nails are stained of 
 a deep red, so deep indeed that in most lights it 
 borders on black ; and the back of the hands have 
 several fancy marks of the same colour. The {Q^t 
 are painted in a similar manner with the hands. 
 
 The women when in the harem, form themselves 
 into different circles for the purpose of conversation,
 
 140 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 sometimes in the open conrts, at others in diflferent 
 apartments. As they are not ])erniitted to enter 
 the inosqnes, tliey pray at the appointed times in 
 their own cliainbers. The Moors, indeed, entertain 
 tiie prejudice whicli is roiniuonly attiihnted to the 
 Mnssuhnen in i>enerai, that the female sex are al- 
 together an inferior species of animals, merely 
 formed to he slaves to the pieasnres of men, whose 
 salvation is conseqnently not of so much impor- 
 tance; aiid with this sentiment the condnct of the 
 men towards them in every instance corresponds. 
 The Moors likewise assign other reasons for not 
 permitting their females to enter their places of 
 worship : they assert, that it wochl l)e not only 
 contrary to the custom which prevails in the coun- 
 try, of not allowing the sexes to meet together in 
 any particular spot, but it might also, by creating 
 loose and improper ideas, draw off the attention 
 from their devotion. 
 
 The Moorish women may he divided into two 
 classes ; the black or negro women, and the white. 
 
 The first are either slaves, or have been so for- 
 merly; and from their services, or through the 
 favour of their ]))oprietors, have obtained their 
 freedom. These women have all the characters, 
 both with respect to disposition, features, and com- 
 ])lexion, peculiar io the country from which they 
 are brought. M;!ny of them are in the situation of 
 concubines, and others in that of domestics. Their 
 male children are all brought up to serve in the 
 army of the Emperor. — To this class may be added 
 the mulattoes, both nrale and female, which are the 
 production of a Moor and a negro woman, and are 
 consequently very numerous in this einpire; but as
 
 71ie 3Ioorish Women. 141 
 
 tliey differ but littie in cliaracter from the ncj^roes, 
 and me only distingnislied from lliem by being 
 indnlged with tlieir freedom, we pass tiieni over 
 withont any fnrtlier observations. 
 
 Those of t!ie female sex who niay be properly con- 
 sidered as natives of tiie country, are of a white, or 
 rather a sallow complexion. J^rom the very limited 
 sphere in which they are allowed to act, and the 
 contempt in wliich they are held as menibers of 
 society, their characters admit of very little of that 
 variety which distinguishes the European women. 
 Happy, perhaps, it is for them, that the sun of 
 knowledge has never beamed upon their gloomy 
 prisons, since it could only serve to enlighten them 
 to a sense of their own misery, disgrace, and ser- 
 vitude! Haj)py is that accommodating power, which 
 Providence has vouchsafed to human kind, which 
 adapts tiiem to their several situations ! and happy 
 it is that the information of mankind is generally 
 such as suits the sphere in which they are destined 
 to act ! 
 
 Educated with no other view than for the sensual 
 purposes of their master, or husband, the chief 
 object of the female sex of this country is to ad- 
 minister to his pleasure^ and by the most abject 
 submission to alleviate the rigours of that servitude 
 to which they are doomed. When, in the presence 
 of tlieii- despot, both wives and coiicubines are 
 obliged to manifest the same respect as his common 
 slaves ; and though all are not contined closely to 
 their houses, as is customary in the Emperor's 
 harem, yet when they do go out they are obliged to 
 be extremely circumspect in concealing their faces,
 
 142 PICTURE OF KARBARY. 
 
 and cautious in every part of their demeanor. Wo- 
 men of distinction, however, are very seldom al- 
 lowed to go abroad ; it is only those of the lowest 
 class which are usually seen in the streets, and even 
 these are so disguised and wraj)ped up in their 
 haicks, that they appear more like a bale of cloth 
 put in motion, than a human form. 
 
 If they happen to meet a European in the coun- 
 try, at a time when no Moor is in sight, they 
 seldom miss the opportunity of displaying their 
 features, by throwing the haick on one side, and 
 even to laugh and converse with hin), though always 
 with the utmost ri^k, as the eye of jealousy, it is 
 well known, never slumbers. 
 
 If an European or a Jew should be caught in a 
 clandestine connection with a Moorish woman, he 
 is obliged to become a convert to the Mahometan 
 faith, or his life would be forfeited ; and the woman 
 is punished either by burning or drowning. A 
 man, however, must have uncommon address, 
 and no small share of caution, to carry on an 
 intrigue of that kind, though on the part of the 
 women of this country he will seldom want for en- 
 couragement. 
 
 It must notwithstanding be allowed, that the means 
 which the Moors employ for the prevention of in- 
 trigues very often tend to the encouragement of them. 
 By dressing themselves in the female habit, men may 
 very easily pass the streets unobserved, as they may 
 rest assured they will not be addressed or even 
 looked at by the Moors ; and if they contrive to 
 call at the house when the master is from home, 
 they need be under no apprehension of being de-
 
 A Visit to the Harem. 143 
 
 tected when he returns. If he sees a strange wo- 
 man's slippers at the door of his harem, he con- 
 cludes it is a female neighbour, and never ap- 
 proaches the room till the slippers are removed. 
 
 The dress of the opulent females among the 
 Moors is similar to that of the Emperor's ladies, 
 differing only in the value of the materials. Those 
 of the inferior class wear linen drawers, and over 
 them a coarse woollen frock, tied round the waist 
 with a band. They plait the hair in two folds, 
 from the upper part of the head all the way down 
 behind, wearing over it a common handkerchief 
 tied close to the head, and when they go out they 
 wear the haick. 
 
 A very curious account of a visit to the prince's 
 harem, is given by Dr. Lempriere in his excellent 
 account of Morocco. " Upon receiving (says he) 
 the prince's orders to attend his ladies, one of his 
 friends was immediately dispatched with me to the 
 gate of the harem, with directions to the alcaide* of 
 the eunuchs, to admit myself and interpreter when- 
 ever I thought it necessary. 
 
 " The eunuchs who have the entire charge of the 
 women, and who in fact live always among them, 
 are the children of the negro slaves. They are ge- 
 nerally either very short and fat, or else tall, de- 
 formed, and lame. Their voices have that particu- 
 lar tone which is observable in youths who are just 
 arriving at manhood ; and their persons altogether 
 afford a disgusting image of weakness and effemi- 
 nacy. From the trust reposed in them by their 
 
 An officer, in the general idea of the word.
 
 144 PICTURE OF liARBARY. 
 
 masters, and the consequence whicli it c:ives them, 
 the eunuchs exceed in insolence and ])ride every 
 other class of people in the country. They dis- 
 played indeed so much of it towards me, that I was 
 obliged, in my own defence, to complain of tlieiii 
 once or twice, and to have them punished. 
 
 "Attended hy one of these people, after passing the 
 gate of the hareiii, wliich is always locked, and under 
 the care of a guard of eunuchs, we entered a narrow 
 and dark passage, which soon brought us to the 
 court, into which the women's chambers open. We 
 here saw nnmhers of botli black and white women 
 and children ; some concubines, some slaves, and 
 others hired domesiics. 
 
 " Upon their observing the unusual figure of an 
 European, the whole multitude in a body surround- 
 ed me, and expressed the utmost astonishment at 
 my dress and appearance. Some stood motionless, 
 with their hands lifted up, their eyes fixed, and their 
 mouths open, in the usual attitude of wonder and 
 surprise. Some burst into immoderate fits of 
 laughter ; while others again came up, and with 
 imcon)mon attention, eyed me from head to foot. 
 The parts of my dress which seemed most to attract 
 their notice were my buckles, buttons, and stock- 
 ings; for neither men nor women in this country 
 wear any thing of the kind. With respect to the 
 club of my hair, they seemed utterly at a loss in 
 what view to consider it ; but the powder which I 
 "wore they conceived to be employed for the pur- 
 pose of destroying vermin. Most of the children, 
 when they saw me, ran away in the most perfect 
 consternation ; and on the whole I appeared as sin- 
 gular an animal, and 1 dare say had the honour of
 
 A Visit to the Harem. ' 145 
 
 ^exciting as much curiosity aud attention, as a lion 
 «r man-tiger, just imported from abroad, and intro- 
 duced into a country town in England on a market- 
 day. Every time I vis;ited the harem I was sur- 
 rounded and laughed at by this curious mob, who, 
 on my entering the gate, followed me close to the 
 very chamber to which I was proceeding, and on 
 my return universally escorted me out, 
 
 " The greatest part of the women were uncom- 
 monly fat and unwieldy; had black and full eyes, 
 round faces, with small noses. They were of differ- 
 ent complexions ; some very fair, some sallow, and 
 others again perfect negroes. 
 
 " One of my new patients being ready to receive 
 me, I was desired to walk into her room ; where, 
 to my great surprise, I saw nothing but a curtain 
 drawn quite across the apartment, similar to that 
 of a theatre which separates the stage from the 
 audience. A female domestic brought a very low 
 stool, placed it near the curtain, and told me I was 
 to sit down there, and feel her mistress's pulse. 
 
 *' The lady, who had by this time summoned up 
 courage to speak, introduced her hand from the 
 bottom of the curtain, and desired me to inform her 
 of all her complaints, which she conceived I might 
 perfectly perceive by merely feeling the pulse. It 
 M'as in vain to ask her where her pain was sealed, 
 whether in her stoujach, head, or back ; the only 
 answer I could procure, was a request to feel the 
 pulse of the other hand, and then point out the 
 seat of the disease, and the nature of the pain. 
 
 " Having neither satisfied my curiosity by exiii- 
 biting her face, nor made me acCjiuainted with the 
 nature of her complaint, I was under the necessity 
 
 4 y
 
 140^ PICTUEE OF BARBARY. 
 
 of informing her in positive terms, that to under-' 
 stand the disease it was absolutely necessary to see 
 the tongue, as well as to feel the pulse; and that 
 without it I could do nothing for her. My elo- 
 quence, or rather that of my Jewish interpreter, 
 was, however, for a long time exerted in vain ; and 
 1 am persuaded she would have dismissed me with- 
 out any further inquiry, had not her invention sup- 
 plied her with a happy expedient to remove her 
 embarrassment. She contrived at last to cut a 
 hole through the curtain, through which she ex- 
 truded her tongue, and thus complied with my in- 
 junction as far as it was necessary in a medical 
 view, but most effectually disappointed my cu- 
 riosity." 
 
 The houses in most of the towns in Barhary ap- 
 pear at a little distance, hke vaulted tombs in a 
 churchyard ; and the entrance into the best of 
 them has but a mean appearance. They are of a 
 square form, their apartments are seldom built 
 higher than the ground floor, and their outer wall^ 
 are universally white-washed, which in the streets, 
 and particularly when the sun is out, produce a 
 very unpleasant sensation to the eyes. All these 
 circumstances, united to the want of windows, the 
 filthiness and irregularity of the streets, the dirty 
 appearance and rude behaviour of the inhabitants, 
 and their total ignorance of every art and science, 
 leaves at first sight an unfavourable impression on 
 the mind of the traveller, which perhaps while he 
 continues in the country he can never do away. 
 As the roofs of the houses are all terraces, they 
 serve as vercmdas, where the Moorish women com- 
 monly sit for the benefit of the air, and in some
 
 Houses of the Moors. ] 47 
 
 places it is possible to pass nearly over the whole 
 town, without having occasion to descend into the 
 street. 
 
 As the best apartments are all backwards, a stable, 
 or perhaps sometliing worse, is the place to which 
 visitors are first introduced. Upon entering the 
 house the stranger is either detained in this place, 
 or in the street, till all the women are dispatched 
 out of the way ; he is then allowed to enter a square 
 court, into which four narrow and long rooms open, 
 by means of large folding doors, which, as they have 
 no M'indows, serve likewise to introduce light into 
 the apartments. The court has generally in its 
 centre a fountain, and if it be the house of a Moor 
 of property, it is floored with bine and white che- 
 quered tiling. The doors are usually painted of 
 various colours in chequered form, and tlie upper 
 parts of them are frequently ornamented with very 
 curious carved work. None of the chambers have 
 fire-places, and their victuals are always dressed in 
 the court-yard, in an earthen stove, heated with, 
 charcoal. 
 
 When the visitor enters the room where he is re- 
 ceived by the master of the house, he finds him 
 sitting cross-legged and barefooted on a mattress, 
 covered with fine white linen, and placed on the 
 floor, or else on a common mat. Ti.i.s, with a nar- 
 row piece of carpeting, is in general the only fur- 
 niture he will meet with in Moorish houses ; thouo'h 
 they are not destitute of other ornaments. In 
 some, for instance, he uil! find the wails decorated 
 with lookino;-i> lasses of difi'erent sizes, in others, 
 watches and clocks in glass cases ; and m some 
 the apartments are hung with the skins of Jions or
 
 148 PICTURE OF BARBAKY. 
 
 tigers, or adorned with a displny of muskets aiul 
 sabres. . In the houses of those who live in the very 
 first style, an European mahogany hedsiead, with 
 one or two matlresses, covered with l.ne white linen, 
 is sometimes placed at each end of the room. 
 These however are only considered as ornaments, 
 as the Moors always sleep on a mattress, or a mat 
 placed upon the floor, and covered only with their 
 haick, or perhaps a quilt. 
 
 As the law of Mahomet strictly proscril>es the 
 use of pictures of every description, this deli^htfu? 
 species of oriiament finds no place in the houses of 
 the Moors. There was, however, it is said, a Moor 
 at Morocco, who used to exhibit a raree-show to his 
 friends and acquaintance, all of whom appeared to 
 express infinite surprise and admiration at his exhi- 
 bition. This, indeed, was not the only instance in 
 which he was guilty of violating the Mahometan 
 law : he scrupled not to drink very freely his bottle 
 of port or claret, which, as it was manufactured 
 by Christrians, wns from that circumstance an aggra- 
 vated offence. " He employed me, (says Lempriere) 
 to procure for him from Mogadore three dozen of 
 claret, which appeared to admini«>iter to him infinite 
 comfort and satisfaction. ^J'his affection indeed for 
 the productions of Europe, made him perhaps more 
 than usually favourable to its natives. Houever 
 this may be, he was the only man who showed me 
 much attention during my residence at Morocco. 
 He repeatedly took me to his house, and made me 
 little presents of various kinds, which at that place 
 proved very acceptable." 
 
 When a Moor receives his guests he never rises 
 from his seat, but shakes hands, inquires after their
 
 Luxuries of the Moors. 14D 
 
 health, and desires lliein to sit down, either on a 
 carpet or a cushion placed on the floor for that 
 purpose. Whatever l)e the time of dny, lea is then 
 brought in on a tea-board with short feet; this is 
 the highest compliment that can be offered by a 
 Moor; for tea is a very exjjensive and scarce arti- 
 cle in Barbary, and is only drank by the rich and 
 luxurious. Their manner of preparing it is by 
 putting some green tea, a small quantity of tansey, 
 the same portion of mint, and a large portion of 
 sugar (for the Moors drink their tea very sweet) 
 into the tea-pot at the same time, and tilling it up 
 with boiling water. When these articles are in- 
 fused a proper time, the fluid is then poured into 
 remarkably small cups of the best India china, the 
 smaller the more genteel, without any milk, and 
 accompanied with sorise cakes or sweatmeats ; it is 
 then handed round to the couipany. From the great 
 esieem in which this beverage is held by the Moors, 
 it is generally drank by very small and ^low sips, 
 that its flavour may be the longer enjoyed ; and as 
 they usually drink a considerable quantity whenever 
 it is introduced, this entertainment is seldom tinish- 
 ed in less than two hours. 
 
 The other luxuries of the Moors are snuff, of 
 which they are uncommonly fond, and smoking 
 tobacco, for which the greater part use wooden 
 pipes about four feet in length, with an earthen 
 bowl; but the princes or emperor generally have 
 the bowls made of solid gold. Instead of the in- 
 dulgence of opium, whic!], from tjje heavy duty im- 
 posed upon that article by the Emperor, is too 
 expensive to be used by the Moors, they substitute 
 the achicha, a species of flax. This they powder
 
 150 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 and infuse in water in small quantities. The Moors' 
 assert, that it proHiices airt-eeab!e ideas, but own 
 that when it i^ taken to excess it most powerfully 
 intoxicates. In order to produce this effVc^t, they 
 likewise mix with their tobacco an herb, nained in 
 this couairy khaf, which by smokiisg occasions all 
 the inebriating* effects of the achicha. The use of 
 spirits as well as wine is strictly forbidden by the 
 Koran ; there are, however, very few among the 
 Moors who do not joyfully embrace every private 
 opportunity of drinking both to excess. 
 
 With respect to the hours for eating, the people 
 of this country are r-juiarkably regular. Very soon 
 after day-break they take their breakfast, which is 
 generally a composition of iiour and water boiled 
 thin, together with an herb which gives it a yellow 
 tinge. The male part of the family eat in one apart- 
 ment, and the female in another. The children are 
 not permitted to eat with their parents, but take 
 their meals afterwards with the servants ; indeed in 
 most other respects they are treated exactly as ser- 
 vants or slaves by their parents. The mess is put 
 into an earthen bowl, and brought in upon a round 
 wooden tray ; it is placed in the centre of the guests, 
 who sit ci'oss legged, either on a mat or on the tioor, 
 and who form a circle for the purpose. Having 
 previously washed themselves, a cetemony always 
 perforn^ed before and after meals, each person with 
 his spoon attacks vigorously the bowl, while they 
 diversify the entertainment by eating with it fruit 
 or bread. At twelve o'clock they dine, performing 
 the same ceremonies as at breakfast. For dinner, 
 from the Empeior dovrn to the peasant, their dish 
 is universally cuscosoo, a sort of thick paste* But
 
 Manner of Eating. 1 5 1 
 
 as neither chairs, tables, knives nor forks, are made 
 use of in this country, the dish is brought in upon a 
 round tray and placed, on the Hoor, round which the 
 family sit as at breakfast, and with their fingers com- 
 mit a violent assault on its contents; they are at the 
 same time, however, attended by a slave or domestic, 
 who presents them with water and a towel occasion- 
 ally to wash their hands. From the want of the. simple 
 and convenient invention of knives and forks, it is 
 not uncommon in this country to see three or four 
 people pulling to pieces the same piece of meat, and 
 afterwards with their fingers stirring up the paste or 
 cuscosoo, of which they ofteti take a whole hand- 
 ful at once into their mouth. At sun-set they sup 
 upon the same dish, and indeed supper is their 
 principal meal. 
 
 A fuller account of their m.anner of eating, and 
 of some of their principal dishes, we copy from a 
 plain, but faithful narrative. 
 
 " Their low round-table (he observes) being placed, 
 not above three or four inches from the floor, they 
 all sit down cross-legged, as tailors do when they 
 are at work on their shopboarr! ; having a napkin 
 that reaches all round to wipe with. The victuals 
 being put on the table, every one says his grace, 
 (more it is to be feared, than thousands of such as 
 call themselves Christians do) and that is. Be isme 
 allah ; i. e. in the name of God. The same ex- 
 pression they use in all things they set about, to the 
 shame of those who pretend to more, and yet have 
 not God in all their thoughts, as the Psalmist speaks 
 of some wicked men. The meat is always seasoned 
 before it comes to the table, so that they make use
 
 152' PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 of no salt tliere. Neither are knives or forks of any 
 use tlien, because tlie flesii which they boil is 
 always cut into pieces while raw, (and so is what 
 they roast) and after that, they parboil it, then 
 take it out with the licpior, and put in the flesh 
 again, with roots or cabbage, or what the season 
 affords, cut small, together witli a little pepper, 
 herbs and onions; after which they pour in a small 
 quantity of the liquor again, and stew it so long, 
 tiiat it is no very hard ujatter to shake the flesh off 
 the bones ; tliis tliey call by the name of terbeea. 
 The sauce for it is an egg beaten with the juice of 
 a lemon. 
 
 " With the remain(h-r of tiie before-mentioned 
 liquor they make a dish which they call ^ji/Zom. 
 They take two measures of this, and one of rice, or 
 burgoe, i. e. wheat boiled, dried, and ground not 
 very small. When the liquor boils, the rice being 
 washed, or the burgoe unwashed, is put into the 
 pot; in a little time the liquor is soaked up, and 
 the pot taken off" the fire. Then they melt some 
 butter to an oil, and pour it into the pot, and keep 
 it close covered ; after which they take out the rice 
 of burgoe with a spoon into a dish, and form it in 
 the shape of a sugar-loaf, shaking pepper over it. 
 The butter should be pretty much seen in the dish 
 around the rice. 
 
 ** Another dish they call dolmah, of which there 
 are divers sorts, as sueoane dolma/i, i. e. onion dol- 
 7nah ; for dolmah signifies to fill. They take large 
 onions, skin them, and cut both ends; then cut 
 them half way in by the side, and take out several 
 skins or parts, filling them with their meat, which
 
 Manners and Customs. 1 5.3 
 
 is minced very sniail, putting a little rice, pepper, 
 and salt mixed tojrether. The bones they put in 
 the bottom of the pot, next stew the onions so tilled, 
 then a little water not covering the onions, and so 
 let It stew. They also wrap such njinced flesh in 
 vine leaves, and then it is called yoprock dohnak ; 
 lli'e name of this leaf is yoprock. Sometimes it is 
 done with cabbage leaves, which they call Paulina 
 dolmah. The sauce for this is only lemon. 
 
 " As for roast meat, they cut the flesh into small 
 pieces, stick three or four of them upon an iron 
 skewer, and so set them before the fire ; at the 
 'cook's shops, the pieces are no bigger than the bowl 
 of a pipe. This is called cobhob. 
 
 " Sometimes when they have ihinced the meat as 
 ^bove without rice, they make it into little cakes^ 
 and fry them in a pan with butter; to which they 
 give the name of keufta. The sauce is onions sliced 
 thin, and fried in vinegar, and so poured upon it. 
 
 "' What they call mackaroon is some paste made 
 only with flour and water, of which they take a bit 
 as big as a bean, and put it on the middle of a wire, 
 rolling it between their hand till it be two or three 
 inches long, and no bigger than the small end of a 
 tobacco-pipe; then boil it in water with three or 
 four whole onions, and when in the dish, mix it 
 'With grated cheese, and pour butter on it as above. 
 They usually eat quick, and having done, every 
 one returns thanks, saying, el ham do lillali; i. e. 
 thanks be to God. 
 
 " The table being removed, (before they rise) a 
 slave or servant, who stands attending on them with 
 a cup of water to give them drink, steps into the 
 middle with a bason, or copper-pot of water, (some- 
 
 4 X
 
 154 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 ^vhat like a coffee-pot) and a little soap, and lets 
 the water run upon their hands one after another, 
 ill order as they sit; and they also wash their 
 raouths after eating. 
 
 " As for their drink, it is well known tliat wine 
 is forbidden by the Mahometan law, (and so is 
 swine's flesh,) and beer and cyder they are altoge- 
 ther strangers to ; so that their common drink is 
 water ; except at some certain times, they make a 
 sherbet with water and sugar. They are great 
 coffee drinkers, but coffee is not to quench thirst. 
 However, though wine be forbidden, there is no 
 punishment for those who offend in this respect ; 
 and yet none used to drink it, but the rascality. 
 For a person of figure and reputation, will by no 
 means drink wine, because it is contrary to his 
 principles, and so is a scandal to his reputation. 
 And as for such as take to drink it, they generally 
 do it so immoderately, that they hardly leave off till 
 they are drunk, and then they are extremely 
 abusive and quarrelsome, sometimes even to mur- 
 der." 
 
 Such is the general mode of living among the 
 principal people in towns. There are considerable 
 multitudes, however, who do not fare so well, but 
 are obliged to content themselves with a little bread 
 and fruit instead of animal food, and to sleep in 
 the open streets. This kind of existence seems ill 
 calculated to endure even in an inactive state; far 
 more severe must it therefore be to those who exer- 
 cise the laborious employment of couriers in this 
 country, who travel on foot a journey of three or 
 four hundred miles, at the rate of between thirty 
 and forty miles a day, without taking any other 
 nourishment than a little bread, a few figs, and some
 
 Manners and Customs, ' lt'j5 
 
 water, and who have no better shelter at night than 
 a tree. It is wonderful with what alacrity and 
 perseverance these people perform the most fa- 
 tiguing journeys at all seasons of the year. There 
 is a regular company of them in every town, who 
 are ready to be dispatched at a moment's warning, 
 to any part of the country their employers may 
 have occasion to send them. They constitute in 
 this empire the only mode of conveyance for all 
 public and private dispatches ; and avS they are well 
 known in the place to which they belong, they are 
 very punctual in delivering every thing that is put 
 into their hands. From their steady pace in tra- 
 velling, at the rate of about four miles an hour, and 
 from their being able to pass over parts which from, 
 the mountainous state of the country, and from the 
 want of good roads, persons on horseback would, 
 find inaccessilile, they are indeed by far the most 
 expeditious messengers that could be employed. 
 As a proof of the amazing exertions of which they 
 are capable, I need only mention, that there have 
 been repeated instances of a courier proceeding 
 from Morocco to Tangier, which is a journey of 
 about three hundred and thirty miles, in six days. 
 
 As none but the very vulgar go on foot in this 
 country; for the purpose of visiting, mules are con- 
 sidered as more genteel than horses ; and tiie great- 
 est pride of a Moor is to have such as walk re- 
 markably fast, and keep his footmen, of which the 
 number is proportionable to the rank and conse- 
 quence of the master, on a continued run. 
 
 As the Moors are not fond of admitting men into 
 their houses, except upon particular occasions, if 
 the weather is fine they place a mat, and sometimes
 
 156 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 a carpet, on the ground before the door, seat them- 
 selves upon it cross-legged, and receive tlieir friends, 
 who form a circle, sitting in the same manner, with 
 their attendants on the outside of the group. Upon 
 these occasions they either drink tea, or smoke and 
 converse. The streets are sometimes crowed with 
 parties of this kind ; some engaged in playing at an 
 inferior kind of chess or drafts, at which they are 
 very expert; but the majority in conversation. The 
 people of this country, indeed, are so decidedly 
 averse to standing up, or walking about, that if only 
 two or three people meet, they squat themselves 
 down in the first clean place they can find, if the 
 conversation is to hold but for a few minutes. 
 
 The following curious information respecting the 
 domestic manners of the Moors is highly valuable,, 
 as it is from the Narrative of an eye-witness, — an, 
 Eiglishman who was fifteen years a prisoner in Bar- 
 bary, and who spent the greater part of ihis time at 
 Algiers. 
 
 " If there be two, three, or four families in one 
 house, as many times there happen to be, yet they 
 may live there many years, and never see one ano-, 
 ther's wife. But perhaps you will say, that it is 
 odds but that the women may at some time or 
 other, be accidentally seen by the men, connng in 
 or going out : but in answer lo that, you must know 
 that the men are seldom witiiin doors in th,e day- 
 time, (especially those of the poorer sort, who often 
 thus live many families under one roof,) and when 
 they chance to come home to their houses, before 
 they enter at the door, they usually speak aloud 
 these words, viz. ammiltreak, i. e. make way ! At 
 the hearing of which, every woman scuds into her
 
 Manners and Customs. 157 
 
 house from the court, (for every house hath a courti 
 in the middle four square, and on every square 
 there is a room ; and above there are three galleries 
 or balconies all round, from whence you may look 
 down into the court.) The tops of their houses. 
 are all flat, beaten floors made wilh lime and sand. 
 It is very seldom that any men are to be seen on 
 the tops of their houses ; it is looked upou as very- 
 rude to be there : the reason of which is, because 
 as their houses are, generally speaking, of an equal 
 height, it would be easy to go from the top of one 
 to another, and so be able to look into the neisrh- 
 bouring courts, and by this means, see other men's 
 wives : though some men of note have low walls on 
 the tops of their houses, to prevent any attempts of 
 this nature. 
 
 " As for the men, they never visit one another at 
 their houses ; nay, it it not esteemed civil or decent 
 for one married man to inquire for another at his 
 house. Nay, what is more, it is thought a rude 
 thing to ask of any person. Sir, where is your 
 house? or. Where do you live? I myself once 
 spoke innocently to one when in Egypt, saying,, 
 AVhereabouts is your house in Algiers? And he took 
 me up somewhat roughly, and said, Why do you 
 ask that question ? JMy shop is in such a place of 
 the town. 
 
 "The doors of their houses are always kept fast 
 latched, for the men have no business at each other's 
 houses ; only the bakers' boys go about the street, 
 making a loud noise, to take people's bread, and 
 carry it to the bake-house. Upon this, the women 
 within come and knock at the inside of the door, 
 which the boy hearing, makes towards thq house.
 
 158 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 The Avomeu open the door a very little way, and 
 hiding their faces, deliver the cakes to him ; which, 
 w hen baked, he brings to the door aii:ain, and the 
 women rec( ive them in the same manner as they 
 gave thLiu out. If there be a negro-woman shive in 
 the house, she goes to the door; but if they are 
 poor people, the woman of the house must go 
 herself. 
 
 "The water-carriers also (who are for the most 
 part JMoors) go about with a large copper-pot on 
 their shoulders full of water, crying, hab elma, i. e. 
 will you have any water? Those who want, knock 
 within the door as above; way being made, the 
 Moor goes in, empties his pot, receives his money, 
 and goes away. Many get their living only by 
 this ; though it is commoi.ly thought soine of these 
 ■water-carriers are frequently en) ployed by the wo- 
 men to procure gallants for them, especially whea 
 their husbands are out of town. 
 
 " As the women always wear veils, a man's own 
 wife may pass by him in the street, and he not have 
 the least knowledge of her. They will not stop to 
 speak with men, or even their own husbands in the 
 street. They always go bare-footed within doors, 
 except it be wet weather, and then they wear their 
 thin slippers, which some have of silver, but in their 
 chambers they always go bare-foot. They keep 
 their houses very clean, and wash them so often and 
 well, that they may go out of their chambers into 
 the court bare-foot without dirtying their feet : their 
 shoes they generally leave in the entry or passage. 
 
 "The Algerines never take either apprentices, or 
 hired servants, into their houses, because they are 
 a people given so much to jealousy, (and truly
 
 Manners and Customs. 159 
 
 hey have reason enough for it on both sides) that 
 *here would be but little love or content under 
 their roof, if they should. And therefore such as 
 have occasion for servants, buy slaves, and bring 
 them up to their houst^hold work, as our servant- 
 maids are here in England ; who, as soon as they 
 have done up all their work in the house, are 
 usually allowed the liberty to go abroad, and visit 
 their countrymen, commonly bearing each a child 
 with them ; and if the child be a boy it rides on the 
 slave's shoulders. 
 
 " Slaves in such places always strive to get into the 
 children's affections ; which, if they can, fare much 
 the better for their sakes. For oftentimes faults are 
 connived at, and many blows forborne upon the 
 child's account, lest it sliould grieve too much to 
 see the dear slave punished. 
 
 '* The Turks are but seldom jealous of their slaves, 
 though it is thought oftentimes they are made 
 cuckolds by them, and that by the solicitations of 
 the patroonas, or mistresses themselves ; for it 
 would be dangerous presumption for the slave to 
 dare to make the least item that way without en- 
 couragement from his mistress. My second pa- 
 troon's wife, was, I am persuaded, very unfaithful to 
 liim : I have reason to think she was intimate with 
 a neighbour in the town. Many a temptation did 
 she lay in my way, though not by ^^ord of mouth, 
 yet by signals; but I made myself ignorant of her 
 meaning, and so (I bless God) escaped the snare. 
 
 "I have heard of some who have suffered much, 
 like Joseph, for refusing to comply with the lascivi- 
 ous desires of their mistresses, who, like Potiphar's 
 wife, have forged quite a contrary story to their
 
 166 PICTURE OF BARBAHY. 
 
 husbands, which has occasioned the poor slave to 
 be severely beaten, and afterwards sold. 
 
 " In Algiers, as well as in other places, on Friday, 
 their sabl)ath, in the afternoon they generally take 
 their recreation. And amongst their several sports 
 and diversions, they \\dL\e ia. corniced sort of wrestling y 
 which is performed abont a quarter of a mile with- 
 out the gate, called bab el wait, the western gate. 
 There is a plain just by the sea-side, where, wheii 
 the people are .2;athererl together, they make a ring, 
 all sitting on the ground expecting the combatants. 
 Anon, there comes one boldly in, and strips all to 
 his drawers. Having done this, he turns his back 
 to the ring, and his face towards his clothes on the 
 ground. He then pitches on his right knee, and 
 throws abroad his arms three times, clapping 
 his hands together as often, just above the ground; 
 which having done, he puts the back of his hand to 
 the ground, and then kisses his fingers, and puts 
 them to his forehead ; then makes two or three 
 good springs into the middle of the ring, and there 
 he stands with his left hand to his left ear, and his 
 right hand to his left elbow ; in this posture the 
 challenger stands, not looking about, till some one 
 comes into the ring to take him up ; and he that 
 comes to take him up does the very same postures, 
 and then stands by the side of hitn, in the manner 
 aforesaid. Then the trier of the play comes be- 
 hind the piletva7is, (for so the wrestlers are termed 
 by them) and covers their naked backs and heads, 
 atid makes a short harangue to the spectators. 
 
 " After this the pilewans face each other, and then 
 both at once slap their hands on their thighs, then 
 clap them together, and then Hft them up as high
 
 Moorish Games, 161 
 
 as their shoulders, and cause the palms of their 
 hands to meet, and with the same, dash their heads 
 one against another three times, so hard, that many 
 times the blood runs down. This being done, they 
 walk off from one another, and traverse their ground, 
 eyeing each other like two game cocks. If either 
 of them finds his hands moist, he rubs them on the 
 ground, for the better hold fast: and they will make 
 an offer of closing twice or thrice before they do. 
 They will come as often within five or six yards one 
 of the other, and clap their hands to each other, and 
 then put forward the left leg, bowing their body, 
 and leaning with the left elbow on the left knee, 
 for a little while, looking one at the other just 
 like two fighting cocks. Then they walk a 
 turn again ; then at it they go ; and as they are 
 naked to the middle, so there is but little hold- 
 fast, there is much ado before one hath a fair cast 
 on his back ; they having none of our Devonshire or 
 Cornish skill. He that throws the other goes round 
 the ring, taking money of many that give it him, 
 which is bnt a small matter, it may be, a farthing, 
 a halfpenny, or a penny of a person, which is much. 
 Having gone the round, he goes to the tryer, and 
 delivers him the money so collected, who in a short 
 time returns it again to the conqueror, and makes a 
 short speech of thanks. While this is doing two 
 others come into the ring to wrestle. 
 
 *' But at their byranis, or feasts, those which are the 
 most famous pilewans, come in to show their parts, 
 before the dey, eight or ten together. These anoint 
 themselves all over with oil, having on their bodies 
 but a pair of leathern drawers, which are well oiled 
 too ; they stand in the street near bab el ivait (the 
 
 5 Y
 
 162 PICTURE OF BARBARY, 
 
 above gate) without which are all their sports held, 
 spreading out their arms, as if they would oil peo- 
 ple's tine clothes, unless they give them some money ; 
 which many do to carry on the joke. They are the 
 choice of all the stout wrestlers, and wrestle before 
 the dey, who sits on a carpet spread on the ground, 
 looking on ; and when the sport is over, he gives 
 two or three dollars to each. After which the dey 
 "with the bashaw mount their horses, and several 
 spahys ride one after another, throwing sticks made 
 like lances, at each other; and the dey rides after 
 one or other of them, who is his favourite, and throws 
 his wooden lance at him ; and if he happens to hit 
 him, the spa/iy comes off his horse to the dey, who 
 gives him money. After all which diversions, they 
 ride to the place where the dey has a tent pitched, 
 and there they spend the afternoon in eating and 
 drinking coffee, and pleasant talk, but no wine. 
 The dey usually appears in no great splendour at 
 Algiers ; for 1 have seen him oftentimes ride into 
 the to\\n from his garden in a morning on a mule, 
 attended only by a slave on another." 
 
 The pleasures of the bath are highly appreciated 
 by the Moors and Turks. Every large town has 
 its pulilic baths, which are generally annexed to 
 some Caravansera or coffee-house; here the Moor 
 gets himself well rubbed down, and his joints 
 stretched or shampooed; here he sips his coffee, and 
 here he is amused with wild tales of genii or fairies.* 
 
 • Oiiht hammams, or baths, the following is a very accurate descrip- 
 tion : — "They liave many hanimams, or wash houses, to bathe them- 
 selves in; which they go into almost naked, only with a thin white 
 wrapper on. There are several, whose business it is to give attends
 
 Manners' and Customs. 163 
 
 The manner of salutation among the Moors is, 
 ■when two equals meet, by a quick motion they 
 shake hands, and afterwards kis** each otlier's 
 hand. When an inferior meets a superior, such as 
 an officer of rank, a judge, or a governor, he kisses 
 that part of his iiaick which covers the arm, and 
 sometimes, as a higher mark of respect, he will kiss 
 
 ance, and they are very ready to do it, as soon as any person conies. 
 When any go in, they leave their clothes in an outer room, put on 
 a pair of clogs, or pattens, and so walk with their guides into the 
 hot places ; where, after ihey have been for awhile, they grow into a 
 great sweat, and having continued in it for some time, they have 
 their arm-pits shaved by their guide, and then retire into a private 
 room, where they have their pudenda also shaved, accoiuiting it 
 very beastly to have it otherwise : after which, they lie down ou 
 the smooth pavement, and one of the guides or tenders, being 
 ready with a glove made of coarse stuff, or camblet, without fin- 
 gers, and stuffed with something for that purpose, rubs their body all 
 over, and cleanses it from filth : this they are very dexterous at, for 
 as they are rubbing most parts of the body, they will bring the 
 rolls of filth, (like a worm, it may be, two inches in length,) under 
 the glove upon the person's arm, that he may see in what need he 
 stood of cleansing. And I profess, I have often wondered to see 
 so much filth come off from a single person, considering how fre- 
 quently they use thus to bathe, or wash. 
 
 ** Having washed all over, and at last with soap, the fender for 
 awhile leaves every person to himself, to throw water on his body ; 
 and this they may have from two cocks, one hot, the other cold, 
 vvhich run into an earthen pan, or else a great bason of marble ; so 
 that they may make the water of what temper of heat, or cold, they 
 please: having thus done, and taken aMfs, the tender waits with 
 wrappers, one for the upper, and the other for the lower parts of 
 the body ; which having put on, the bathed person comes out into 
 a cooler room, and there lies dewn awhile till his sweating is well 
 over, and then puts on his clothes again ; and at his going out, the 
 lender sprinkles rose-water on his face. And all tliese refreshing 
 accommodations may be had for three or four pence."
 
 164 PICTURE OF BARBARV. 
 
 his feet. But the compliment due to the Emperof, 
 or any of the princes of the blood, is to take off the 
 cap or turban, and to prostrate the head to the 
 ground. When two particular friends or relations 
 meet, they anxiously embrace and kiss each other's 
 faces and beards for a few minutes, make a number 
 of inquiries about the health of each party, as well 
 as that of their families, but seldom allow time for a 
 reply. 
 
 The common topics for conversation among these 
 people, are the occurrences of the place, religion, 
 their women, and their horses. As curiosity is a 
 quality which naturally attaches to all indolent peo- 
 ple, it may easily be conjectured, that the Moors 
 are not deficient in this respect. It is incredible 
 with what avidity they lay hold of any trifling cir- 
 cumstance which may occur in the neighbourhood ; 
 what pleasure and what pride they seem to take in 
 communicating it ; nor are they deficient in the arts 
 of magnifying or adorning the tale with every addi- 
 tion which may serve to render it more palatable, or 
 give it a greater appearance of plausibility. 
 • Religion is also a favourite topic ; but this sub- 
 ject is confined principally to those societies which 
 are frequented by their talbs, or men of letters. As 
 these gentlemen, however, are not a little proud of 
 their acquirements in reading and writing, they do 
 not fail to embrace every opportunity of manifesting 
 their superiority over those who are not so happy 
 as to be distinguished by those accomplishments. 
 
 Decency of manners and delicacy in conversation 
 are among the most certain marks of refinement and 
 civilization, and the contrary vices are equally uni- 
 versal characteristics of ignorance and barbarism.
 
 Horsemanship of the Moors. 165 
 
 The conversation of the Moors concerning their wo- 
 men is of the most trifling and disgusting descrip- 
 tion, and consists of absurd and vulgar observations, 
 equally repugnant to decency and common sense. 
 
 The subject, however, on which, like our young 
 men of fashion in England, they appear most calcu- 
 lated to shine, is their horses. It would indeed be 
 truly disgraceful not to be accomplished upon this 
 topic, since it appears to occu])y, both day and 
 night, by far the greatest portion of their attention. 
 I have formerly intimated, that these animals are 
 seldom kept in stables in Morocco. They are wa- 
 tered and fed only once a day, the former at one 
 o'clock at noon, and the latter at sun-set ; and the 
 only mode which they use to clean them, is by wash- 
 ing them all over in a river two or three times a 
 week, and suffering them to dry themselves. 
 
 Notwithstanding the attachment which the Moors 
 manifest to their horses, they most certainly use 
 them with great cruelty. Their highest pleasure, 
 and one of their first accomplishments is, by means 
 of long and sharp spurs to make the horse go full 
 speed, and then to stop him instantaneously; and 
 in this they certainly manifest uncommon dexte- 
 rity. The iron-work of their bridles is so construct- 
 ed, that by its pressure on the horse's tongue aad 
 lower jaw, with the least exertion of the rider, it fills 
 his mouth full of blood, and if not used with the ut- 
 most caution, throws him inevitably on his back. 
 The bridle has only a single rein, which is so very 
 long that it serves the purpose of both whip and 
 bridle. The Moorish saddle is in some degree si- 
 milar to the Spanish, but the pummel is still higher 
 and more peaked. Their stirrups, in which they
 
 16C PICTURE OF RARBARY. 
 
 ride very short, are so formed as to cover the whole 
 of the foot. They either plate or gild them, accord- 
 ino" to the dignity, opulence, or fancy of the posses-* 
 sor. Their saddles, which are covered with red 
 woollen cloth, or, if belonging to a person of con- 
 sequence, with red satin or damask, are fastened 
 with one strong girt round the body, in the Euro- 
 pean style, and another round the shoulders. 
 
 The Moors frequently amuse themselves by riding 
 with the utmost apparent violence against a wall ; 
 and a stranger would conceive it impossible for 
 them to avoid being dashed to pieces, when just as 
 the horse's head touches the wall, they stop him 
 with the utmost accuracy. To strangers on horse^ 
 back or on foot it is also a common species of com- 
 pliment to ride violently up to them, as if intending 
 to trample them to pieces, and then to stop their 
 horses short and fire a musket in their faces. Upon 
 these occasions, they are very proud in discovering 
 their dexterity in horsemanship, by making the ani- 
 mal rear up, so as almost to throw him on his back, 
 putting him immediately after on the full speed for 
 a few yards, then stopping Him instantaneously, and 
 all this is accompanied by loud and hollow cries. 
 
 There is another favourite amusement, which dis- 
 plays perhaps superior agility : — a number of per- 
 sons on horseback start at the same moment accom- 
 panied with loud shouts, gallop at full speed to an 
 appointed spot, when they stand up straight in 
 the stirrups, put the rein, which is very long, 
 in their mouths, level their pieces, and fire them 
 off; throw their firelocks immediately over their 
 right shoulders, and stop their horses nearly at
 
 Horsemanship of the Mom's. 1C7 
 
 the same instant. This also is their manner of 
 engaging in an action. 
 
 Though tlie Moors sit their horses well, and, as far as 
 is necessary for the above-mentioned exercise, have a 
 great coniniand over him, yet their horses are ill-bred, 
 and they entirely neglect to teach them those paces 
 which in Europe are considered as the most agree- 
 able for the common purposes of riding. As none 
 of these animals in Morocco are geldings, and as 
 the Moors are unacquainted with the use of the 
 ring, they are obliged to break them in when very 
 young, by taking them long and fatiguing journeys, 
 particularly over the mountainous and rocky part of 
 the country, where they soon reduce their spirit; 
 they then take the opportunity of teaching them to 
 rear up, stand fire, gallop, and stop short in the 
 manner already related, and having accomplished 
 this, they are satisfied without any further qualifi- 
 cation. For this reason a Barbary horse seldom can 
 perform any other pace than a full gallop or a walk; 
 and from being broken in and worked hard before 
 they have acquired their full strength, these horses 
 in a very few years become unfit for service. 
 The Moors seldom ride the mares, but keep them 
 in the country for breeding; and, contrary to the 
 general opinion in Europe, they consider them so 
 much more valuable than horses, that they are never 
 permitted to be exported. 
 
 Like all barbarous nations, the Moors are pas- 
 sionately fond of music, and some few have a taste 
 for poetry. Their slow airs, for want of that variety 
 which is introduced when the science has attained 
 a degree of perfection, have a very melancholy same-
 
 168 PICTURE OF BARBARY, 
 
 ness; but some of their quick tunes are beautiful 
 and simple, and partake in some degree of the cha- 
 racteristic melody of the Scotch airs. The poetry 
 of their songs, the constant subject of which is love, 
 though there are few nations perhaps who are less 
 sensible of that passion, has certainly less merit 
 than the music. 
 
 Their instruments are a kind of hautboy, which 
 differs from ours only in having no keys ; the man- 
 doline, which they have learnt to play upon from 
 their neighbours the Spaniards, another instrument 
 bearing some resemblance to a violin, and played 
 upon in a similar manner, but with only two strings; 
 the large drum, the common pipe, and the tabor. 
 These united, and accompanied with a certain num- 
 ber of voices, upon many occasions form a band, 
 though solo music is more common in this unsocial 
 country. 
 
 Upon all days of rejoicing, this kind of music, re-, 
 peated volleys of musketry, either by men on horse^ 
 back or on foot, and in the evening a grand attack 
 upon the cuscosoo, constitute the principal part of 
 the public entertainments. Mountebanks and jug-r 
 glers also of every description meet with great en- 
 couragement from the Moors. 
 
 There are no other places of reception for the ac- 
 commodation of travellers in this country, except in 
 their fondaks, which are only to be met with in large 
 towns. These consist of a certain number of dirty 
 apartments, with no other accommodation whatever 
 but the walls and roof to protect the stranger from 
 the inclemency of the weather ; and he must furnish 
 himself with every article of which he may be in
 
 o^^
 
 Mahometan Iteligion. i&d 
 
 Want, both in respect to provisions and bedding. 
 There is at the same time an open court, where the 
 horses of all travellers are intermixed. 
 
 In most of the towns there are regular schools, 
 where those cliildren whose parents have the means 
 of doing it, and have sense enough to send them, 
 (which indeed are but few in proportion to the 
 Vvhole) are instructed by the talbs in reading and 
 writing, and sometimes in the first rules of arith- 
 metic. The greater part of the people, however, 
 learn very little more than to read a few prayers se- 
 lected from the Koran, which are in common use, 
 and are written in Arabic characters, on paper 
 which is pasted on a board. 
 
 Religion of the Moors and Turks. 
 
 Tbe mosque is usually a large square building, 
 composed of the same materials as the houses, con- 
 sisting of broad and lofty piazzas, opening into a 
 square court, in a manner in some degree similar to 
 the Roval Exchange of London. Jn the centre of 
 the court is a large fountain, and a small stream sur- 
 rounds the piazzaSj where the Moors perform the 
 ceremony of ablution. The court and piazzas are 
 floored with blue and white checquered tilini?, and 
 the latter are covered with matting, upon which 
 the Moors kneel while repeating their prayers, in 
 the most conspicuous part of the mosque, fronting 
 the east, stands a kind of pulpit, where the talb or 
 priest occasionally preaches. The Moors always 
 enter this place of Worship barefooted, leaving their 
 slippers at the door. On the top of the mosque is 5 
 
 5 z
 
 tM PICTURE OF BAKBARY. 
 
 square steeple with a flag staff, whither at stated 
 hours the lalb ascends, hoists a white flag; (for they 
 have no bells) and calk the j>eople to prayers, re- 
 peating in Arabic three times, anfl addressing him- 
 self each time to a different part of the town, Hotv 
 great is God! Mahomei is his Prophet f Come all ye 
 faithful; come to prayer. From this high situatian 
 the voice is heard at a considerable distance, and 
 the talbs have a mmjotonons mode of enunciation, 
 the voice sinkiag at the end of every short sentence, 
 which in some measure resembles the sound of ai 
 bell. 
 
 The moiyefit the flag is displayed, every person 
 forsakes his employment, and goes to prayers. If 
 they are near a mosque, they perform their devo- 
 tions within it, otherwise immediately on the spot 
 where they happen to be, and always with their 
 feces towards the east, in honour of the prophet Ma- 
 hooket, who it is well known was buyied at Medina^ 
 The prayer which is generally repeated on these oc- 
 casions, is a chapter from the Koran, acknowledging 
 the goodness of God and Mahomet ; and it is ac- 
 companied with various gestures, s«ch as lifting the 
 hands above the hea-d, bowing twice^ pei'foruaiiig 
 two genuflexions, bowing again twice, and kissii^g 
 the ground. The whole of this ceremony they rer 
 peat three times. 
 
 Their sabbath is on our Friday, and commence* 
 from six o'clock the preceding evening. On tbi» 
 day they use a blue flag instead of tlie white oae. 
 As it has been prophesied that they are to be con- 
 quered by the Christians on the sabbath-day„ thai 
 gates of all the towns aiid of the Emperor's palaces 
 are shut when at divine service on that day, in oriJer
 
 Mxihometan Iteligimu 171 
 
 ix) avoid beiog surprised during (liat period. Their 
 talbs are not distiiiguislied by any particular dress. 
 
 The Moors have three solemn devotional |5eriods 
 in the course of the year. The first, which is named 
 aid de cabier, is hel<l in commeuioration of the birth 
 of Mahomet. It continues seven days, during which 
 period, every person who can aftbrd tlic expense 
 kills a sheep as a sacrifice, and divides it among Iris 
 friends. Tli« second is the Raujadan, This is a 
 rigorous fast or lent, held at the season when Maho- 
 met disapjjeared in his flight from Mecca to Medina; 
 and is conducted by the Moors with so much super- 
 slilion, that for thirty days, from sun-rise to sun-set, 
 ihey lay aside all worldly' acts, and devote their 
 whole attentiou to exeix^ises of piety ; carefully ab- 
 staining fmm eating, drinking, smoking, washing 
 tlieir mouths, or even swallowing their saliva ; and 
 they are indulged with their usual custom of bathing 
 only upon •condition that they avoid suffering the 
 water to approach their heads, lest any of it should 
 enter tlie mouth or ears. To make amends for this 
 strict observance of their lent during the day, they 
 appropriate the whole night to the indulgence of 
 every gratiticalion, and at the expiration of the fast, 
 a general festival takes place, named the Bey ran, 
 which continues seven days. The third is named 
 Llashore, and is a day set apart by Mahomet for 
 every person to compute the valtie of his property, 
 in order for the payment of Zakat, that is, one-tenth 
 of their income to the poor, and otiier pious uses. 
 Although this feast otdy lasts a single day, yet it is 
 celebrated with far greater magnificence than either 
 of the others. 
 
 There is also a superstitious custom among the
 
 172 PiCTUIlE OF fiARBAUt, 
 
 Moors, when any thing of moment is to be under 
 taken, such as going on a dangerous journey or 
 voyage, the disposal of their children in marriage, 
 &c. for some grave person to make an harangue to 
 the multitude, upon which his auditors call for the 
 key of direction. By this is meant the performance 
 of joining the hands, looking stedfastly on the 
 palms during the a(hnonition, then by a joint con- 
 currence calling on God and the prophet, and con- 
 cluding the ceremony by stroking their faces with 
 both hands, and joining in chorus, saying, Salenii 
 Salem, (peace be with you) with much devotion. 
 The due performance of this ceremony they conceive 
 will insure them certain success in all their under- 
 takings. Such is a brief outline of the religion of 
 the Moors. 
 
 We shall, however^ display to our readers at 
 greater length, the principles of 3Iahometamsm, as 
 they are detailed by a Mahometan, a sketch which 
 is of course entitled to the highest credit for its cor- 
 rectness. This account is also free from those nu- 
 merous falsehoods and absurdities which too often 
 disgrace the narratives of otherwise intelligent tra* 
 vellers. 
 
 " The Mahometan religion is extl'emely simple ; it 
 has no mysteries, no sacraments^ no intermediate 
 persons between God and man, known by the name 
 of priests or ministers; no altars, images, or orna- 
 ments. God is invisible^ the heart of man is his 
 altar, and every Mussulman is high priest. Ac- 
 cording to the £Jl Hhaddiss, or the canonical tradi- 
 tion, the prophet has declared the essence of his 
 religion to consist in the following sentence: '^ Ma- 
 bometanism is established on five fundamentals ;
 
 Mahometan tleligiou. 173^ 
 
 vk. ** The profession of tlie faith ; ' IViere is no God 
 hut one God, and 31ah.omet is Ids messenger ;' the 
 saying of prayers, giving of alms, fasting on Rama- 
 dan, and making a pilgrimage to the house of God." 
 
 "Notwithstanding tliis simplicity, there is, perhaps, 
 Hot a religion in the world which has had so many 
 commentators, expositors, and writers. 
 
 *' Its worship is divided into four orthodox rites> 
 which are the Hhaneffi, the 3Ialeki, the Hhanheli, 
 and the Schaffi, names of the four Imans who found- 
 ed them. 
 
 *' The first of these rites is that observed by the 
 Turks, the second by the people of Morocco and 
 by the western Arabians, and the two others are 
 followed by various tribes and nations of Arabia 
 and Asia. With regard to the dogma, these rites 
 do not differ; their variation is only in their reli- 
 gious ceremonies ; for example, when standing to 
 say their prayers, the Hhaneffis cross their arms^ 
 and the Malekis let them hang down. In making 
 their ablutions, the one begin with the point of the 
 finger, and advance to the elbow; whilst the otiiers 
 begin with the elbow, and end at the point of the 
 fingers. The Mussulman's belief is, that in order 
 to present himself with propriety before the Greator, 
 and to deserve his regard, the body of man ought 
 to be entirely pure; for this reason the legal ablu- 
 tions have been instituted ; they require the hands 
 to be washed three times successively, and also the 
 inside of the mouth, of the ears, and of the nostrils, 
 the face, the arms, the head, the neck, and the feet; 
 besides these, there are some general ablutions, as 
 in washing the whole body from head to toe every 
 Friday before the noon-prayer, and after certain ac-
 
 174 ^'1CTUR£ OF BARBARY. 
 
 tious. In the places where no water is to be had, 
 the ablution may be made with earth or sand ; this is 
 their custom in the deserts. The ablution is also 
 effected by rubbing themselves with the hands 
 alone, after having put them on a stone; sailors, at 
 sea, make use of this kind of ablution, as the sea- 
 Nvater is considered as impure, and entirely unfit 
 for the purpose. 
 
 ** Every Mussulman must say over his prayers five 
 times a day ; the first time at the first point of dawn, 
 or when the sim is at eighteen degrees under the 
 horizon in the east, which is called Es-sebah; the 
 second time in the afternoon, when the shade of a 
 gnomon, placed perpendicularly in the sun, shows 
 the fourth part of its length; this prayer is called 
 Ed-douhour ; the third prayer is made when the 
 shade of this gnomon is equal to its own length, this 
 prayer is called El-assar ; the fourth takes place a 
 moment after sun set, and is called El-mogarel; and 
 the fifth is at the last moment of twilight, or when 
 the sun is at eighteen degrees beneath the horizon in 
 the west ; it is called El-aaschir. 
 
 " Every canonical prayer is composed of the invo* 
 cation, of different rikats, and of the salutation; a 
 rikat is composed of seven positions of the bod}^ 
 with various prayers. 
 
 ** The following is tlie form and the tenor of the 
 prayer : 
 
 " hwocation. 
 
 " The body being straight, and the two hands lifted 
 up to the ears, they say, * Allahouakibar ! God most 
 great V 
 
 "Istposition; Standing, the arms and hands hanging 
 down (by the M alekis,) or the arms crossed (by the
 
 Mahometan Religion. 175 
 
 Haneffis) the first chapter of the Koran, called El- 
 Fat-ha, is repeated; the following is its contents; 
 viz. * Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, the 
 raost merciful, the most gracious King of the day of 
 judgment; we adore thee, and implore thy assist- 
 ance; direct us the right way, the way of those 
 whom thou hast distinguished with thy kindness, of 
 those who are free from corruption, and who are 
 not within the number of those that go astray. 
 Amen.' 
 
 " A chapter or more verses from the Koran is then 
 repeated in the same position. 
 
 ** 2d position: The whole upper part of the body is 
 inclined, with the hands resting on the knees ; tbey 
 then with a loud voice say, * AUahouakibar ! God 
 most great !* 
 
 *' »kl position : Rising again they say, ' Semeo Al- 
 lahou limann Hamidabhou. God listens when praise 
 is given to him.' 
 
 " 4th position : prostrated, with the knees, hand, 
 nose, and forehead on the ground, they say, ' AUa- 
 houakibar ! God most great !' 
 
 *' 5th position : Sitting down on the heels, and 
 with the hands placed on the thighs, they say, * Al- 
 lahouakibar! God most great !' 
 
 " 6th position : Prostrating themselves as before, 
 they say, 'AUahouakibar ! God most great!' 
 
 ** 7th position: Rising up on their feet, and, if 
 possible, without touching the ground with theiv 
 hands, they say, 'AUahouakibar ! God most great! 
 
 " Thus the first rikat is finished ; after it a second 
 is begun. 
 
 " The second rikat is like the first, with the differ- 
 ence, that at the seventh position they sit down an
 
 176 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 their heels as at the 5th, repeating, ' Allahouakibar! 
 God most great !' 
 
 " To which they add, 'Vigils are for God ; so are 
 prayers and alms. Welfare and peace to thee, O 
 Prophet of God ; may the mercy and blessing of 
 God be also upon thee. Welfare and peace to us 
 and to all the jnst and virtuous servants of God. I 
 attest that there is no god but the one God, and that 
 Mahomet is his servant and his prophet. 4 
 
 " If the prayer is to contain but two rikats, the 
 following addition is repeated in the same posture, 
 after the prayer just mentioned : 
 
 " ' And I attest that it was be that called Ma- 
 homet to himself ; and I attest the existence of 
 paradise, of hell, and oi Sirat* and of thebalance,-!" 
 and of eternal happiness, which will be bestowed on 
 those who do not doubt it, and that in truth God 
 will raise them from the dead. O my God ! bestow 
 thy blessing of peace on Mahomet, and on his 
 tribe, as thou hast bestowed thy blessing on Ibrahim 
 (or Abraham); and let Mahomet, and the tribe 
 of Mahomet, be blessed as thou hast blessed 
 Ibrahim, and the tribe of Ibrahim. Grace, praise, 
 and exaltation of glory are in thee and for thee.' 
 
 " Co?iclusion or Salutation. 
 " Sitting and turning the face to the right, and af- 
 
 * The bridge over hell, as fine as the edge of a sword ; the just 
 will pass it with the rapidity of lightning, to enter paradise ; the re- 
 probate will fall from it into the gulfs of hell. 
 
 tThe eternal balance or scales in which the good and bad ac- 
 tions of men are weighed.
 
 Mahometan Religion. 177 
 
 terwards to the left, the salutation is repeated to 
 both sides : ' Assalamouaaleikom. Peace be with 
 vou.' 
 
 *' This forms a perfect prayer ; but if it is to con- 
 tain three rikats, the addition and conclusion only 
 are recited at the end of the third rikat, which is 
 exactly like the second. If the player is to have 
 four rikats, in this case, after the second, and with- 
 out addition, the two last must be recited like the 
 two first ; and afterwards the addtion and conclu- 
 sion follow the fourth. 
 
 "Before the canonical prayers are begun, they 
 make the following address: 
 
 " ' God most great ! God most high ! I attest that 
 there is no other god but Allah ; I attest there is no 
 other god but Allah ; I attest that our lord Ma- 
 homet is the prophet of God. I attest that our 
 lord Mahomet is the prophet of God. Come 
 to prayers. Come to prayers. Come to the asylum 
 (or to the temple) of salvation. Come to the asy- 
 lum. God most great! God most high ! There is 
 no other god than God !' 
 
 *' This address is also uttered five times a day from 
 the minarets of the mosques, to summon the faith- 
 ful, or to apprise at least the people of the hour of 
 prayer. Every one may say his prayers on the 
 spot vk'here he finds himself, except that of Douhour 
 on Fridays, which must be made at the mosque in 
 public. To the convocation in the morning, after 
 the second a-i-a-el-felah, they add, ' £s salatou 
 hhairoim minn en naoum. Prayer is better than 
 sleep. Es salatou hhairotin minn en naonm. Prayer 
 is better than sleep.' 
 
 " The man who is charged with these cries is 
 
 5 A A
 
 1^8 FICTUllE OP BAllBAftV. 
 
 called El-nuiedden. Another Muedden is in the 
 mosque, who repeats or sings the address, and 
 AllahouaJdhar at every one of the positions of the 
 rikats, as also the concliisicin Assaldmou aaleikom. 
 
 *' After each of the canonical prayers they make 
 Use of a chaplet; at the first bead they say, * Sob- 
 hana Aliahi ! O holy God!' At the second bead, 
 ' Alhamdo Lillahi ! Praise be to God !' At the 
 third, ' Aliaiui akibar ! God most great !' And 
 in this manner they say their devotions over 
 the ninety beads of the Mahometan chaplet. 
 
 *' As it is not permitted to a Mussulman) to ask of 
 God, in established prayers, any goods of this 
 world, they generally, after having said over the 
 chaplet, fold their hands, and lifting them up like 
 a man who had to receive something from above, 
 pray for any thing they desire; and after having 
 finished this prayer, they pass the right hand over 
 their beard and say, ' Alhamdo Lillahi ! Praise 
 be to God !' This formula finishes the prayer. 
 
 " It is their custom to go on Fridays, at least half 
 an hour before the Imaum. As soon as they enter 
 they say a short prayer of two rikats ; after this 
 they sit down and continue their prayers, repeating 
 them by heart, or reading in some holy book; 
 chiefly in that which is called Dalil Hhiratz. 
 
 *' Before the Friday prayers the Imaum makes a 
 sermon to the people."*^ 
 
 The Moors compute time by lunar months, and 
 count the days of the week by the first, second, 
 third, &c. beginning from our Sunday. They use a 
 
 See Travels of Ali Bey, vol i. p. 89, et seqtie.
 
 Marriage Ceremojiies. 179 
 
 ^t> 
 
 common reed for writinj^, and begin their manu- 
 scripts from right to left. 
 
 The Moors marry very young, many of their fe- 
 males not being more than twelve years of age at 
 their nuptials. As Mahometans, it is well known 
 that their religion admits of polygamy to the extent 
 of four wives, and as many concubines as they 
 please; but if we except the very opulent, the peo- 
 ple seldom avail themselves of this indtdgence, since 
 it entails on them a vast additional expence in 
 house-keeping, and in providing for a large family. 
 Whatever institution is contrary to truth and sound 
 morality will in practice refute itself; nor is any 
 further argument than this single observation want- 
 ing to answer all the absurdities which have been 
 advanced in favour of a plurality of wives. In con- 
 tracting marriage the parents of both parties are the 
 only agents, and the intended bride and bridegroom 
 never see each other till the ceremony is performed. 
 The marriage settlements are made before the cadi, 
 and then the friends of the bride produce her por- 
 tion, or if not, the husband agrees to settle a certain 
 sum upon her, in case he should die, or divorce her 
 on account of barrenness, or any other cause. The 
 children of the wives have all an equal claim to the 
 effects of their father and mother, but those of the 
 concubines can each only claim half a share. 
 
 When the marriage is finally agreed upon, the 
 bride is kept at home eight days, to receive her fe- 
 male friends, who pay congratulatory visits every 
 day. At the same time a talb attends upon her, to 
 converse with her relative to the solemn engagement 
 on which she is about to enter ; on these occasions
 
 180 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 he commonly accompanies his admonitions with 
 singinjo^ a pions hymn, which is adapted to the so- 
 lemnity. Tlie Ijride also with her near relations 
 goes throu^jh the ceremony of being repainted. 
 
 During this process, the bridegroom on the other 
 hand receives visits from his male friends in the 
 morning, and in the evening rides through the town 
 accompanied by them, some playing on hautboys 
 and drums, while others are employed in firing vol- 
 leys of musketry. In all their festivals, the dis- 
 charge of musketry indeed forms a principal part 
 of the entertainment. Contrary to the European 
 mode, which particularly aims at firing with exact- 
 ness, the Moors discharge their pieces as irregularly 
 as possible, so as to have a continual succession of 
 reports for a few minutes. 
 
 On the day of marriage, the bride in the evening 
 is put into a square or octagonal cage, about twelve 
 feet in circimiference, which is covered with fine 
 white linen, and sometimes with gauzes and silks of 
 various colours. In this vehicle, which is placed on 
 a mule, she is paraded round the streets, accompa- 
 nied by her relations and friends, some carrying 
 lighted torches, others playing on hautboys, and a 
 third party again firing volleys of musketry. 
 
 In this manner she is carried to the house of her 
 intended hus!)and, who returns about the same time 
 from performing similar ceremonies. On her arrival 
 she is placed in an apartment by herself, and her 
 husband is introduced to her alone for the first time, 
 who finds her sitting on a silk or velvet cushion, 
 supposing her to be a person of consequence, with 
 a small table before her, upon which are two wax
 
 Marriage Ceremonies. 181 
 
 candles lighted. Her shift, or more properly shirt, 
 hangs down like a train behind her, and over it is a 
 silk or velvet robe with close sleeves, which at the 
 breast and wrists is embroidered witii gold ; this 
 dress reaches something lower than the calf of the 
 leg. Round her head is tied a black silk scarf, 
 which hangs behind as low as the ground. Thus 
 attired, the bride sits with her hands over her eyes, 
 when her husband appears and receives her as his 
 wife, without any further ceremony , for the agree- 
 ment made by the friends before the cadi is the only 
 specific contract which is thought necessary. 
 
 If the husband should have any reason to suspect 
 that his wife has not been strictly virtuous, he is at liber- 
 ty to divorce her, and take another. J^or some time 
 after marriage the family and friends are engaged in 
 much feasting and a variety of amusements, which 
 last a longer or shorter time, according to the cir- 
 cumstances of the parties. It is usually customary 
 for the man to remain at home eight days and the 
 woman eight months after they are first married ; 
 and the woman is at liberty to divorce herself from 
 her husband, if she can prove that he does not pro- 
 vide her with a proper subsistence. If he curses 
 her, the law obliges him to pay her, for the first of- 
 fence, eight ducats ; for tlie second, a rich dress of 
 still greater value; and the third time slie may 
 leave him entirely. He is then at liberty to marry 
 again in two months. 
 
 At the birth of a child, it is customary for the pa- 
 rents to grieve eight days, at the expiration of which 
 they sacrifice a goat or a sheep, and invite their 
 friends and acquaintance to partake of the feast. 
 Women suffer but little inconvenience in this country
 
 Ig2 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 from child-bearing; they are frequently up the next 
 day, and go through all the duties of the house 
 with the infant upon their backs. They do not 
 adopt the method of teaching their children to walk 
 which is customary in Europe, but when they are 
 twelve months old they put them on the floor, where 
 from first crawling they naturally in a short time ac- 
 quire the habit of walking, and as soon as they can 
 be made in the least degree useful, they are put to 
 the various kinds of labour adapted to their age 
 and strength. Others, whose parents are in better 
 circumstances, are sometimes sent to school; 
 and those wjio are intended for the church usual- 
 ly continue their studies till they have nearly 
 learnt the Koran by rote. In thsjt case ihey 
 are enrolled among the talbs or learned men of the 
 law ; and upon leaving school are paraded round 
 the streets on a horse, accompanied by music and a 
 large concourse of people. The procession is con- 
 ducted in the following manner. Upon the day ap- 
 pointed, one of the most showy horses in the place 
 is procured for the youth to ride on, who, if he is a 
 person of consequence, is dressed in all the gaiety 
 which silks and brocades can afford, wearing a tur- 
 ban richly ornamented with gold and jewels, and in- 
 terspersed with flowers. Thus arrayed, he mounts 
 his horse, which also is not without its decorations 
 carrying in his hand his prayers pasted on a board, 
 on which he looks with stedfast attention ; and he 
 proceeds with all the sedateness and composed gra- 
 vity of old age to the different places appointed for 
 the purpose, accompanied by music, and all his 
 schoolfellows on horseback, dressed according to 
 their circumstances. At last they meet at the house
 
 Puneral Ceremonies. 183 
 
 of the head boy of tjie school, wliere they are treat- 
 ed with a collation and sweetmeats. This custom, 
 which is evidently adopted with a view ofpromoting 
 an emulation in their youths, is one of the very few 
 good institutions which are observable among these 
 people. 
 
 In celebrating the rite of circumcision, the child 
 is dressed very sumptuously, and carried on a mule, 
 or, if the parents are in poor circumstances, on an 
 ass, accompanied with flags flying and musicians 
 playing on hautboys and beating drums. In this 
 manner they proceed to the mosque, where the cere- 
 mony is performed. 
 
 When any person dies, a certain number of wo- 
 men are hired for the purpose of lamentation, (for 
 the men are seldom observed to weep for the loss of 
 a friend) in the performance of which nothing can 
 be more iirrating to the ear, or more unpleasant, than 
 their frightful moans or rather bowlings: at the 
 same time these mercenary mourners beat their 
 heads ;nid breasts, and tear their cheeks with their 
 nails. The bodies are usually buried a few hours 
 after denlh. Previous to interment, the corpse if* 
 washed very clean, and sewed up in a shroud com- 
 posed of seven pieces of fine linen united together, 
 with the right hand under the head, which is pointed 
 towards Mecca; it is carried on a l)ier supported 
 upon men's siioulders to the burying-place which is 
 always, with a^reat propriety on the outside of the 
 town, for they never bury their dead in the mosrjues 
 or within the bounds of ;in inhabited place. The 
 bier is accompanied by numl)ers of people, two 
 abreast, who walk very fast, calling upon God and 
 Mahomet, and singing hymns adapted to the occa-
 
 184 PICTURE OF BARBAKY 
 
 sion. The grave is made very wide at the bottom, 
 and narrow at the top, and the body is deposited 
 without any other ceremony than singing and pray- 
 ing in the same manner as on their way to the grange. 
 
 Some further acconnt of the funeral ceremo- 
 nies of the xMoors, we give in the lively and 
 agreeable narrative of a recent traveller. 
 
 *' When a person is thought lo be dying, he is im- 
 mediately surrounded by his friends, who begin to 
 scream in the most hideous maimer, to convince 
 him there is no more hope, and that he is already 
 reckoned among the dead ! The noise and horror 
 of this scene cannot surely but serve to hurry the 
 patient, worn down already by sickness, to his last 
 state. If the person be in too much pain, (perhaps 
 in a fit) they put a spoonful of honey in his mouth, 
 which in general puts him out of his misery, that 
 is to say, he is literally choaked ; when, by being 
 treated differently, or even left to himself, he might 
 perhaps have recovered. Then, as according to 
 their religion, they cannot think the departed happy 
 till they are under ground, they are washed in- 
 stantly while yet warm ; and the greatest consola- 
 tion the sick man's friends can have, is to see him 
 smile while this operation is performing, as they 
 look on that as a sign of approbation in the de- 
 ceased of what is doing; not supposing such an 
 appearance to be a convulsion, occasioned by wash- 
 ing and exposing to the cold air the unfortunate 
 person before life has taken its final departure. 
 This accounts for the frequent instances that happen 
 here of people being buried alive : many of the 
 Moors say a third of the people are lost in this 
 manner.
 
 Fuueral Ceremonies. 1 85 
 
 ** The moment a deatli happens in a family, the 
 alarm is g;iveii by the shrill screamins: of the words 
 woulHah ivoo, repeated incessantly by the relations, 
 and every body in the house. These cries, heard 
 at a great distance, briiis; every female acquainted 
 with, or dependant on, the family, to scream over 
 the dead, and mourn with the nearest relations of 
 the deceased ; and it strikes one with the j^^reatest 
 horror to see the afflicted widow or mother, half 
 dead with grief for her loss, obliged (according to 
 the custom of the country) to receive the visits of 
 not less than a hundred different women, who come 
 to condole with her. They each take her in their 
 arms; they lay her head on their shoulder, and 
 scream without intermission for several minutes, till 
 the afflicted object, stunned with the constant how- 
 ling, and a repetition of her misfortune, sinks sense- 
 less from their arms on the floor! They likewise 
 hire a number of women, who make this horrid 
 noise round the bier placed in the middle of the 
 conrt-yard of the mansion, over which these women 
 scratch their faces to such a degree, that they ap- 
 pear to have been bled with a lancet at the temples ; 
 after the ceremony is over, they lay on a sort of 
 white chalk to heal the wounds and stop the blood. 
 These women are hired indifferently at burials, 
 weddings, and feasts ; at the two latter they sing 
 the song loo, loo, loo, and extempore verses. Their 
 voices are heard at the distance of half a mile. 
 
 " It is the custom of those who can afford it, to 
 give on the evening of the day the corpse is buried, 
 a quantity of hot dressed victuals to the poor, who 
 come to fetch each their portion, and form some- 
 
 <5 B B
 
 186 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 times immense crowds and confusion at the doors; 
 this they call the supper of the grave."* 
 
 The dead are always dressed for the grave ; the 
 ears, nostrils, and eyelids are stuffed with a prepa- 
 ration of camphor and rich spices. An unmarried 
 woman is ornamented a& a bride, and bracelets are 
 put on her arms and ankles. The body is w rapped 
 in fine white linen, sanctified at Mecca, which is 
 generally procured in their lifetime, and carefully 
 preserved for their last dress. At the head of the 
 coffin is placed a turban, if the deceased be a male, 
 corresponding with his rank ; if a female, a large 
 bouquet of flowers — if a virgin, the loo, loo, loo, is 
 sung by hired women, that she may not be laid in the 
 ground without having had the benefit of the wed- 
 ding song. On Fridays, the eve of the Mahometan 
 sabbath, the women visit the tombs of their de- 
 ceased relations, under the idea that on that day 
 the dead hover round to meet their friends, and to 
 hold commerce with those that may be deposited 
 near them ; and on this account they conceive it to 
 be the more necessary to dress the dead, that they 
 may not in such an assembly of ghosts complain of 
 the neglect of their relations. The tombs are neatly 
 white-washed, and kept in constant repair; flowers 
 are planted round them, and no weeds suffered to 
 grow\ Small chapels are generally built over the 
 tombsof persons of rank, and decorated with flowers 
 placed in large China vases. 
 
 The funeral ceremonies observed upon the death 
 of a Bey, are very curious, and worthy of par- 
 
 * See Narrative of a Residence at Tripoli, p. 89,
 
 Funeral Ceremonies. 137 
 
 ticular notice. Upon tlie murder of the Bey 
 of Tripoli, the wretched wi(h)w, according to the 
 usual custom of the country, paid her first visit, at 
 the proper lime, to her husband's grave. The 
 grave of the Bey had bveu previously strewed 
 witli fresh Hovvers tor the scond time !hat day ; im- 
 mense houquets, of the clioicest the .seai»on could 
 afford, were placed within the turba or mausoleum; 
 and Arabian jasmine, threaded on shreds of the 
 date l+*af, were hung in festoons and large tassels 
 over ti)e tomb ; additional lights were placed round 
 it, and a profusion of scented waters was sprinkled 
 over the floor of the mausoleum before Lilla Aisher 
 (the widow) entered the mosque. His eldest daugh- 
 ter, the beautiful Zenobia, was not spared this 
 dreadful ceremony : she accompanied her disconso- 
 late mother, though this princess was so ill from 
 the shock she received at her father's death, that 
 she was not expected to live, Lilla Aisher's 
 youngest daughter, not six years old, was likewise 
 present at this scene of distress; and when this in^ 
 fant saw her mother weeping over the Bey's tomb, 
 she held her by her baracan, and screatned to her 
 to let him out, refusing to let go her hohkof her 
 mother or the tonib till she saw the Bey again. The 
 wretched Lilla Aisher, who went there in a state of 
 the deepest dejection, was naturally so much af- 
 flicted at this scejie of useless horror, heightened 
 by the shrill screams of all her attendants, that she 
 fainted away, anil was carried back senseless to the 
 castle in the arms of her women.* 
 
 * TuUy's Narrative, p. 240.
 
 18?^ t»ICTURE OP BARBARV/ 
 
 The Moors have tio particular colour appropri- 
 ated to a mournino dress. " Their grief (says Che- 
 uier) for the h)ss of relations, is a sensation of the 
 heart they <lo not attempt to express by outward 
 symbols." This is not strictly the case : the clothes 
 are entirely deprived of their new appearance, and 
 the deeper the mourning is meant to be, the more 
 mean and dirty they are made; all the gold and 
 embroidery is passed through water till the gloss is 
 removed, and the beauty destroyed : the Scripture 
 phrase of ' sack<^loth and ashes' describes almost 
 literally the niourning habit of the Moors. 
 
 The female pan of Mr. Tully's family visited Lilla 
 Aisher, anfi they found her, as might be expected, 
 very melancholy. According to the custom of the 
 East, her dress bespoke the state of her mind ; de- 
 prived of all its lustre, by methods taken to deface 
 every article before she put it on. She wore nei- 
 ther ear-rings, bracelets, nor halhals round the 
 ancles, or ornaments of any kind, except the string 
 of charms round her neck. The moment she saw 
 them she burst into tears, and one of the blacks was 
 going to scream the woulliah-ivoo, but Lilla Aisher 
 had the presence of mind to prevent her, as ^such a 
 circumstance would have thrown the whole harem 
 into confusion. 
 
 During this visit, Lilla Halluma, the unhappy 
 mother of the murdered Bey, entered the apartment 
 with her mangled hand in a sling. The Moors, it 
 seems, instead of endeavouring to lighten the heavy 
 hand of atHiction, are ingenious in finding out new 
 means lo keep alive the recollection of misfortunes, 
 and resort to every method they can think of to 
 nourish grief. One of the first requests of the mo-
 
 Funeral Ceremonies. 189 
 
 ther was, that the company might be taken into the 
 very apartment where, in her presence, the Bey met 
 his death. " Dreadful as this favour appeared to 
 us, (says the Narrative) we couhl not refuse lo go 
 for fear of offending her. We foimd the siij^ht as 
 strange as it was terrible ; against the walls, on the 
 outside of the apartment, had been thrown jars of 
 soot and water mixed with ash'^'s. The apartment 
 was locked up, and is to remain in that state, ex- 
 cept when opened for the Bey's friends to view it. 
 All in it remained in exactly the same state as when 
 Lilla Halluma received the Bey to make peace with 
 his brother; and what was dreadful, it bore yet all 
 the marks of the Bey's unhappy end. Not an article 
 of any description had been suffered to be removed 
 since the Bey's dissolution. All that the apartment 
 contained was doomed, by Lilla Halluma, as she 
 said, to perish with the Bey, and like hirn, to 
 moulder away in darkness." 
 
 This soiling, or defacing, whatever belonged to 
 the deceased, is further instanced in the case of the 
 unfortunate Bey. " Among the number of his 
 horses that had never been mounted by any person 
 but himself, he had one particular favourite ; it was 
 remarkably handsome, and perfectly white. During 
 the obsequies performing for the Bey's death, when 
 all was wretchedness, and nothing to be seen but 
 mourning, this beautiful horse formed a painful 
 contrast. It was the last object that appeared in 
 the midst of this scene of horror, in the same state 
 as when it belonged to his late master ; but soon its 
 tine appearance was altered. Those who were mourn- 
 ing for the Bey's death sprinkled it with their blood, 
 and strewed it with ashes, and it was led from the
 
 190 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 place covered with dismal tokens of its master's 
 fate."* 
 
 '©Japing the period of mourning, all finery is put 
 away, and all superfluous articles of furniture. 
 Neither curtains, looking-glasses, tapestry, nor car- 
 pets are to be seen. The slaves wear their caps 
 reversed, and they are stripped of all ornaments; 
 the henna ( Laivsonia inermis) ceases to stain the 
 nails of the feet and hands; bracelets, ear-rings, 
 necklaces, and every species of jewellery disappear; 
 and all perfumes and scented waters, of which the 
 Moors are particularly fond, are dispensed with. 
 A widow of rank, when she puts on her weeds, 
 goes to the sea side, has her hair eoinbed with a 
 gold comb, and ihe tresses plaited with white silk 
 instead of black; the golden bandage over the fore- 
 head set with jewels is exchanged for a white tillet, 
 and every article of dress soiled. At the expiration 
 of four months and ten days she repaiis again to 
 the sea-side. " The same gohl comb she had used 
 before is carried with her, and four fresh eggs : the 
 eggs she gives to the first person she meets, who is 
 obliged to receive them, were it even the Bashaw 
 himself. With the eggs, it is imagined, she gives 
 away all her misfortunes, consequently no person 
 likes to receive them ; but this custom is so esta- 
 blished, that not any one thinks of refusing them. 
 She then proceeds to the sea-side, where her hair is 
 combed a second time, and the comb thrown into 
 the sea by herself; and she is then, and not before, 
 at liberty to marry again."'} 
 
 • Narrative, p. 244. t Ibid. p. 307.
 
 Travelling in Barhary. 191 
 
 Account of the Planner of Travelling in Barhary 
 and Arabia, by Dr. S/iaiv. 
 
 In the several maritime towns of Barbary and 
 the Levant, where the British factories are esta- 
 blished, the author was entertained with extraordi- 
 nary marks of generosity and friendship, havino^ the 
 use, not only of their houses, bnt of their liorses 
 also, their janissaries and servants, Bnt in most of 
 the inland towns and villages, particularly of Bar- 
 bary, there is a house set apart for the reception of 
 strangers, with a proper officer, called maliarak, to 
 attend us, where we are lodged and entertained for 
 one night at the expence of the commtmity. Yet 
 even here we sometimes met with our difficulties 
 and disappointments; as when these houses are 
 already taken up, or when the maharak was not to 
 be found, or when he was inclined to he surly and 
 disobliging; great disputes, ^iwA shamatan, as they 
 call brawls and discord, happening at such times. 
 And as there were no inns or public houses to en- 
 tertain us, and private families (contrary to the cha- 
 ritable custom recorded in Job xxxi. 32. and Matt. 
 XXV. 35.) would never admit us, we had now and 
 then occasion enough to meditate upon the same 
 distress with the Levite and his (company, when 
 there ivas no man that would take them into his house 
 for lodging;* and of the propriety there was to 
 place the lodging and entertaining of strangers 
 among good works.'}' 
 
 •Judg€8 xix. 15. 1 1 Tina. V. 10. Heb. xiii. 2.
 
 192 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 But when we travel in the open country, at a 
 distance from these towns and villaoes, as in Arabia 
 and the greatest part of Barhary, we are to take 
 our chance, both with regard to our fof>d atid our 
 lod^ings^ as will be hereafter more partrmlarly re- 
 lated. As to our food, we were soiuetimes provi- 
 dent enough to take care of it, Especially in Arabia.. 
 But to have furnished ourselves with tents in tra- 
 velling through those deserts, would have been both 
 cumbersome and expensive; besides the suspicion 
 it might have raised in the jealous Arabs, that the 
 persons they belonged to, were of a more than ordi- 
 nary rank and condition, and consequently would 
 be too rich and tempting a booty to be suffered to 
 escape. The unfortunate gentlemen, who were con- 
 cerned not many years ago in an embassy to Abys- 
 sinia, by order of the French king, found this to be 
 too true, at the expence of their lives. 
 
 As we shall have frequent occasion to mention 
 the Kabyles, the Arabs, and the Moors, it will be 
 necessary to premise, that the Kabyles have gene- 
 rally the appellation of Seni, as the Arabs have 
 that of Welled, prefixed to the name of their re- 
 spective founders. Both words have the same sig- 
 nification, and denote the children or offspring of 
 such a tribe : thus, JBeni Rashid and Welled Halfii^ 
 equally signify the sons of Rashid and the sons of 
 Haifa; or the Rashides or Haljides, as the ancient 
 geographers and historians would have named them. 
 We may observe further, that the Kabyles usually 
 live upon the mountains, in little villages, called 
 daskrahs, made up of mud-walled hovels (or gurbies, 
 according to their own appellation); whereas the 
 Arabs being commonly the inhabitants of the plains,
 
 Mode of Travelling, 1D3 
 
 are therefore called Bedoweens, living as the No- 
 inades and Scenilce did of old, in tents; a collec- 
 tion whereof, pitched usnally in a circle, with their 
 doors opening; towards Mecca, is called a douivar. 
 But the Moors, who ar<^ ihe descendants of the an- 
 cient inhabitants, the Mauritanians, live all over 
 Earhary, as the Turks likewise do in cities, towns, 
 and viliaoes; habitations inore permanent than 
 those of the Arabs, as they are more fiurable thaa 
 those of the Kabyles. The languaije of the Moors 
 is the same with that of the Arabs ; the particular 
 dialects being alike in them both, accord-ing to their 
 nearer or more distant situation from Egyp^, where 
 their language is supposed to be spoken in the 
 greatest propriety and perfection. 
 
 If, therefore, in the course of our travels, we did 
 not fall in with any of the daskvahs of the Kabyles, 
 or with the douiva.s of the Arabs, or with the towns 
 or villages above mentioned, we had nothing: to pro- 
 tect us from the inclemency either of the heat of the 
 day, or the cold of the night, unless we accidentally 
 fell in with a cave or grove of trees, the shelve of a 
 rock, or with some ancient arches, that had for- 
 merly belonged to so many cisterns. At these times, 
 which indeed seldom happened, our horses were 
 the greatest sufferers ; and as they were always our 
 first care, we gathered for them, stubble, grass, or 
 boughs of trees, before we sat down and examined 
 what fragments of some former meal were reserved 
 for ourselves. 
 
 In travelling along the sea-coast of Syria, and 
 from Suez to Mount Sinai, we were in little or no 
 danger of being either robbed or insulted, provided 
 we kept company with the caravan, and did not 
 
 5 C €
 
 194 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 stray from it ; but a neglect of this kind, through 
 too great an eagerness in looking after plants and 
 other curiosities, may expose the traveller, as it 
 once did myself, to the great dauger of heing assas- 
 sinated. For whilst I was thus amusing myself, 
 and had lost sight of the caravan, I was suddenly 
 overtaken and stripped by three strolling Arabs; 
 and had not the Divine Providence interposed in 
 raising compassion in one, whilst the other two were 
 fighting for n)y clothes, (mean and ragged as they 
 were) I must inevitably have fallen a sacrifice to 
 their rapine and cruelty. In the Holy Land, and 
 upon the isthmus betwixt Egypt and the Red Sea, 
 our conductors cannot be too numerous, whole 
 clans of Arabs, from fifty to five hundred, some- 
 times looking out for a booty. This was the case 
 of our caravan, in travelling (A. D. 1722,) from 
 Ramah to Jerusalem ; where, exclusive of three or 
 four hundred spahees, four bands of Turkish infan- 
 try, with the mosolom, or general, at the head of 
 them, were not able, or durst not at least, protect 
 us from the repeated insults, ravages, and barba- 
 rities of the Arabs. There was scarce a pilgrim, 
 and we were upwards of six thousand, who did not 
 sujffer, either by losing a part of his clothes, or his 
 money : and when these failed, then the barbarians 
 took their revenge, by unmercifully beating us with 
 their pikes and javelins. It would be too tedious 
 to relate the many instances of that day's rapine 
 and cruelty, in which I myself had a principal 
 share, being forcibly taken at Jeremial or Anathoth, 
 as an hostage for the payment of their unreasonable 
 demands, where I was very barbarously used and in- 
 tsulted all that night ; and provided the aga of Je-
 
 Mode of Travelling. 1 95 
 
 rusalem, with a great force, had not rescued me 
 the next morniiiii-. I should not have seen so speedy 
 an end of my siiff< rings. 
 
 But in Barhary, where the Arahian trihes are 
 more under subjection, we were rarely iruarded by 
 more than three spahees and a servant ; all of us well 
 armed with guns, pistols, and scimitars; though 
 even here we were sometimes obliged to augment 
 our numbers, particularly when we travelled either 
 among the independent tribes, or upon the frontiers 
 of the neighbouring kingdoms, or where two con- 
 tiguous clans w^ere at variance. These, and such 
 like liarammees, as the free-booters are usually 
 named in these countries, must be what the Euro- 
 peans call wild Arabs ; for there is no such name 
 peculiar to any one particular clan or body of them, 
 they being all the same, with the like incliuations 
 (whenever a proper opportunity or temptation offers 
 itself) of robbing, stripping, and murdering, not 
 strangers only, but also one another. In proof of- 
 this, I need only mention the many heaps of stones 
 that we meet with in several places in Barhary, in 
 the Holy Land, and in Arabia, which have been 
 gradually erected (as so many signs, Ezck. xxxix. 
 15.) over travellers thus barbarously murdered ; the 
 Arabs according to a superstitious custotu among 
 them, contributing each of thesj! a stone whenever 
 they pass by them. We read of something like this, 
 Josh. vii. 26. aud viii. 29. and 2 Sam, xviii. 17. 
 where gr«?at heaps of stones are said to be raised 
 over Achan, over the king of Ai, a:id over AI)salom. 
 
 However, to prevent as much as possible the 
 falling into the hands of these liarammees, the great- 
 est safety for a traveller, is to be disguised in the
 
 190 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 habit of the couiitrj% or to be dressed like one of 
 his spahees. For the Arabs are very jealous and 
 inquisitive, suspecting all strangers to be spies, and 
 sent to take a survey of those lands, wiiich at one 
 time or other (as they have been taught to fear) are 
 to be restored to the Christians, 
 
 In our journeys betwixt Cairo and Mount Sinai,, 
 the heavens were every night our covering ; the 
 sand with a carpet spread over it, was our bed; 
 and a change of raiment made up into a bundle^ 
 was our pillow. And in this situation we were 
 every night wet to the skin, by the cwpious dew 
 that dropt upon us, though without the least danger 
 (such is the excellency of this climate) of ratching^ 
 cold. The continued heat of the day al'lerwards,. 
 made us often wish ihat these refrigerations could 
 have been hourly repeated^ Our camels (for horses 
 or mules require too much water to be employed i» 
 these deserts,) were made to kneel down* in a cir- 
 cle round about us, with their faces looking from 
 us, and their respective loads and saddles placed 
 behind them. In this situation, as they are very 
 "watchful animals, and awake with the least noise, 
 they served us instead of a guard. 
 
 As there was no chance of meeting, in these lone- 
 some and dreary deserts of Arabia, with the least 
 hospitality or entertainment, we were obliged to 
 carry along with us every thing that was necessary 
 for so long and tedious a journey. We took care 
 in the tirst place to provide ourselves with a suffi- 
 cient-] quantity of goats' skins, (or bottles, so often 
 
 * Gen. xxiv. 11.
 
 Mode of Travelling. 197 
 
 mentioned in scripture,) wliicli we Tilled with water 
 every four or five days, or ofrener if we found it. 
 We laid in a provision likewise of wine and brandy. 
 Barley with a few beans infermixed, or else the 
 flour of one or other, or of both of iheni, made into 
 balls with a liitle water, was the provender of our 
 camels. We provided for ourselves wheat-flour, 
 rice, biscuit, honey, oil, vinegar, olives, lentils, 
 potted tlesh, and such things as would keep sweet 
 and wholesonse during two mouths, the space com- 
 monly laken up in compleiing this jouruey. Nor 
 should our wooden basun and copper pot be omit- 
 ted ; the latter whereof was the necessary utensil 
 for cooking our provisions, the other for serving it 
 up, or kneadins: therein our unleavened cakes. 
 These two vessels made up the m hole of our 
 kitchen furniture. When we were therefore either 
 to boil or to bake, the camels' i\un<^ that we found 
 left by some preceding caravan (for wood is very 
 scarce) was our usijal fuel ; which afier being left a 
 day or two in the sun, quickly caiches fire, and 
 burns like charcoal. No sooner was our food pre- 
 pared, whether it was potted desh, boiled with rice, 
 a lentil soup,* or unleavened cakes served up with 
 oil or honey, than one of the Araiis,t after having 
 placed himself upon the highe>t spot of ground in 
 the neighbouriiood, calls out ihrire, with a loud 
 voice, to all his brethren, the sons oj the Jail hful, 
 to come and partake of it, though none of them 
 Mere in view, or perhaps within a hundred miles 
 of us. This custom however they maintain to be a 
 
 * Red pottage. Gen. xxv. 30. 
 
 t Not to eat his morsel alone, Job xxxi. 17-
 
 198 PICTURE OF BARBAEY. 
 
 token at least of their great benevolence, as in- 
 deed it would have been of their hospitality, pro- 
 vided they conld have had an opportunity to 
 shew it. 
 
 But travelling in Barbary is of a quite diflerent 
 nature. Here we always endeavour to find out the 
 douuars of the Arabs, (not being fond of visiting the 
 Kab\Us, who are a set of sturdy fellows not easily 
 managed,) where we are entertained at free cost, 
 as in the towns and villages above mentioned, and 
 as we read of the ivai/faring man* for the space of 
 one night. For in this country, the. Arabs and 
 other inhabitants are obliged, eiiher by long cus- 
 tom, by the particular tenure of their lands, or 
 from fear and compulsion, to give the spa/iees and 
 their company the mounah, as they call it, which is 
 such a sufficient quantity of provisions for ourselves, 
 together with straw and barley for our mides and 
 horses. Besides a bowl of milk and a basket of 
 figs, raisins, or dates, which upon our arrival were 
 presented to us, to stay our appetites, the master of 
 the tent where we lodged fetched us from his flock 
 (according to the number of our company) a kid or 
 a goat, a lamb or a sheep, half of which was im- 
 mediately seethed by his wife, and served up with 
 cusciisoo ; the rest was made kah-ab, i. e. cut into 
 pieces and roasted, which we reserved for our 
 breakfast or dinner the next day. 
 
 Yet the cold and the dews that vs^e were every 
 night exposed to in the deserts of Arabia, did not 
 incommode us half so much as the vermin and in- 
 
 *Jer. xiv. 8.
 
 Mode of Travelling. 1 99 
 
 sects of all kinds, wliicli never failed to molest «s 
 in Barbary. Besides fleas and lice, which might 
 be said, without a miracle, to be here in all their 
 quarters, the ajDprehensions we were under, in some 
 parts at least of this country, of being bitten or 
 stung by the scorpion, the viper, or the venomous 
 spider, rarely failed to interrupt our repose, a re- 
 freshment so very grateful and so highly necessary 
 to a weary traveller. Upon sight indeed of one or 
 other of these venomous beasts^ a t/ialeb, or writer, 
 who was one of my spahees, after he had muttered 
 a few mystical words, exhorted us all to lake cou- 
 rage, and not be afraid of such creatures, as he had 
 made them tame and harndess by his charms and 
 incantations. We were likewise no less offended 
 (from whence we might least expect it) by iheir 
 young kids, lambs, and calves, that are tied up 
 every night under the eaves of their tents, to pre- 
 vent them from sucking their dams. For the cords 
 used upon these occasions, being made ^nly of yarn 
 loosely spun, the fretful creatures are every moment 
 breaking loose, dropping their dung and trampling 
 upon us. 
 
 When we were entertained in a courteous manner, 
 (for the Arabs will sometimes supply us with no- 
 thing till it is extorted by force,) the author used 
 to give the master of the tent a knife, a couple of 
 flints, or a small quantity of English gun-powder ; 
 which being much stronger than their own, is in 
 great esteem, and kept chiefly for the priming of 
 their fire-arms. If the lallak, or lady, his wife, had 
 been obliging also in her way, by making our cuS" 
 eusoo savoury, and with expedition, she would re- 
 turn a thousand thanks for a skein of thread, or
 
 200 PICTURE OF BARBARy. 
 
 for a large needle, or for a pair of scissars ; all of 
 them great rarities, and very enu;affina: presents 
 with these people. An ordinary silk handkerchief, 
 of two shillings value, was a present for a princess. 
 
 During the excessive heats of the summer, and 
 especially when we were apprehensive of being in- 
 tercepted by the free-booting Arabs, or /larammees, 
 we then travelled in the night, ivhicli having no eyes^ 
 according to their proverb, ievj of them dare ven- 
 ture out, as not knowing the unforeseen and unex- 
 pected dangers and ambuscades which they might 
 possibly fall into. At this time, we have frequent 
 opportunities of calling to remembrance the beau- 
 tiful words of the Psalmist,* Tliou makest darkness 
 that it may be night ; wherein all the beasts of the fo- 
 rest do move. The lions roaring after their prey, 
 the leopards, the hyaenas, the jackals, and a va- 
 riety of other ravenous creatures crying out to their 
 fellows,! (the different sexes perhaps finding out 
 and corresponding in this manner with their mates,) 
 break in very awfully upon the solitude, and the 
 safety likewise, that we might otherwise promise to 
 ourselves at this season. 
 
 Our horses and camels keep generally a constant 
 pace ; the latter at the rate of two miles and an 
 half, the other of three geographical miles an hour; 
 sixty of which miles, according to my calculation, 
 constitute one degree of a great circle. The space 
 we travelled over was first of all computed by 
 hours, and then reduced to miles, which, in the 
 following observations, when Roman is not mcn- 
 
 T* 
 
 ♦ Psalm civ. 20. Isa. xiii. 22. and xxxiv. 14.
 
 Mode oj Travelling. 201 
 
 tioned, are always to be taken for geographical 
 miles. I alighted usually at noon to take the* snn's 
 meridian altitude (called by the Arabs, the ireighing 
 of the sun,) and thereby adjust the latitudes ; ob- 
 servino; all along the course and direction of our 
 travelling- by a pocket compass, the variation where- 
 of (A. D. 1727,) I found at Algiers to be 14^ and 
 at Tunis 10** to the west. Every evening therefore, 
 as soon as we arrived at our connack, for so the 
 spahees c?i\\ the tents, the houses, or places where 
 we put up, I used to examine what latitude we 
 were in, how many hours, and in what direction 
 we had that day travelled, making proper allow- 
 ances for the several windings and occasional de- 
 viations that we had made out of the direct road. 
 
 Our stages or days journeys were not always the 
 same. For when any danger was apprehended, we 
 then travelled through as many by-paths as our 
 conductors were acquainted with ; riding in this 
 manner, without halting, sometimes twelve, some- 
 times fifteen hours. Nay, in returning from Jerusa- 
 lem, so vigilant were the Arabs in distresssing the 
 pilgrims, and particularly myself, that notwithstand- 
 ing we had the sheck^ or saint, of Mount Carmel, 
 with twenty of his armed servants to protect us, we 
 rested only one hour in two-and-twenty ; for so 
 long a time we were in travelling, and that very, 
 briskly, betwixt Sicheni and Mount Carmel. But 
 in the kingdoms of Algiers and Tunis, an ordinary 
 day's journey, exclusive of the time taken up in 
 making observations, rarely exceeded eight or nine 
 hours. Our constant practice was to rise at break 
 of day, set forward with the sun, and travel till the 
 middle of the afternoon ; at which time we began to 
 
 6 D D
 
 202 PlOtURE OF iJARBA^Y. 
 
 look out for the encamptnents of the Arabs, who", 
 to prevent such parlies as ours from living at free 
 charges upon them, take care to pitch in woods, 
 vallies, or places the least conspicuous. And in- 
 deed, unless we discovered their flocks, the smoke 
 of their tents, or heard the barking of their dogs, it 
 was sometimes with difficulty, if at all, that we 
 found them. Here we were accommodated with 
 the mounah; and if in the course of our travelling 
 the next day. 
 
 We chanced to fincf, 
 A new repast, or an untasted spring, 
 We blest our stars, and thought it luxury. 
 
 This is the method of travelling in these countries, 
 and these are its pleasures and amusements ; few 
 indeed in comparison with the many toils and fa- 
 tigues ; fewer still with regard to the greater perils 
 and dangers that either continually alarm, or actually 
 beset us. And besides, the discoveries we are thus 
 eager to pursue, and which are the occasion of all 
 this anxiety and labour, how seldom is it that they 
 answer our expectations ? Instead of really di- 
 verting or instructing us in the manner we appre- 
 hended, they have sometimes produced quite con- 
 trary effects, by engaging us at once in a very 
 serious turn of thought and meditation. For 
 here in these diffusive scenes of antiquity, in the 
 more celebrated cities of Africa, we are immediate- 
 ly struck with the very solitude of the few 
 domes, arches, and porticos that are left stand- 
 ing, which history informs us, were once crowded 
 with inhabitants; where Syphax and Massinissa, 
 Scipio and Caesar, the orthodox Christians and the
 
 3Iode of Travelling. 203 
 
 Arians, the Saracens and the Turks, have given 
 laws in their tnrn. Every heap of rnins points out 
 to us the weakness and instability of all human art 
 and r<»iiirivanoe, reminding us farther of the many 
 thousands that lie buried below then), who are 
 now lost in oblivion, and forgotten to the world. 
 Whilsi we are full of these thoughts and medita- 
 tion^, Christianity steps in to our relief, vicquaint- 
 ing us iliHl we are only strangers and pilgrims upon 
 earth; seeking a city, not like these, subject to 
 the strokes of time and fortune, but which hath ever- 
 lasting foundations^ tvhose builder and maker is God.
 
 204 
 
 CHAP. IIL 
 
 Revolutions of the Barbarif States, 
 
 XN the beginning of the twelfth century, Techi- 
 fien, the chief of a Moorish tribe, had the address 
 to unite under his connnand all the other tribes; 
 with these he eiiii^aged the Arabs, who had the 
 greatest sway in Africa, over whom he gained seve- 
 ral important victories, and at length, expelled them 
 out of all the western parts ; and thus formed a 
 powerful empire in the neighbourhood of Mount 
 Atlas. He was succeeded by his son Joseph, a 
 prince no less brave and successful than his father, 
 and who, at the beginning of his reign, laid the 
 foundation of the city of Morocco. He declared 
 urar against the king of Fez, and leading his army 
 into the territories of that prince, attacked and de- 
 feated jjis forces, and compelled him, together with 
 the monarch of Tunis, t<» acknowledge him as their 
 sovereign, ancj to pay him Iribute ; and having thus 
 extended his conquests along the coast of the Me- 
 diterranean, he returned to Morocco. His martial 
 and ambitious spirit would not permit him to enjoy 
 ease and traiicjuiility; and he resumed operations in 
 such a mnnner against the Arabian shaiks, who re- 
 fused to acknowledge themselves as his vassals, and 
 to become tributaries, that they were struck with a
 
 (^ C Ocr/^/rr 
 
 ^ /?^
 
 General History. 205 
 
 general consternation and dismay, and fled with 
 precipitation to their inaccessible hokls and fast- 
 nesses. Nothing, however, conid defend them from 
 the vensfeance of Joseph, who attacking: them in 
 their retreats, at lenia^th entirely snbdued them. 
 
 At tlie request of the Moorish princes established 
 in Spain, he appeared twice in that kingdom, at the 
 head of powerful armies. He died soon after his 
 return from thence at his capital of Morocco,* and 
 left the sovereignty to his son Ali, a prince less war- 
 like than his father, and who, instead of attending 
 to the conqr.ests in Spain, employed himself in erect- 
 ing several splendid buildings ; which afforch-d Al- 
 phonso, king of Arragon, an opportunity of reco- 
 vering many considerable cities and provinces. At 
 length, however, he was prevailed on by the re- 
 peated entreaties of the Moorish princes, to make 
 several descents upon that kingdom, in the last of 
 whioh his army was defeated with the loss of thirty 
 thousand men, and himself deprived of both his life 
 and his crown 
 
 Ali was succeeded by his son Brahem,'|* a prince 
 as much addicted to pleasure as averse from martial 
 exploits, and who immediately after his accession 
 to the throne, had no sooner endeavoured to secure 
 the peace of his dominions, by confirming the go- 
 vernors and principal officers in their provinces and 
 places, than he gave himself up to indolence and 
 debauchery. This conduct, together with the taxes 
 with which he burthened them, excited the uni- 
 versal indignation of his subjects, many of whom 
 
 *A. D. 1110, tA, D, 1115.
 
 205 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 took up arms agaiost their sovereign. The leader 
 of these insurgents was Abdallah, a man of consi- 
 derable talents and political sagacity, and who was 
 at the head of a religious sect. Brahem, immersed 
 in pleasure, and regardless of every occurrence, did 
 not attend to the revolt whilst it might have been 
 suppressed. At length, however, he took the field 
 against the insurgents, but with an army not suffici- 
 ently powt^fnl for opposing and disappointing their 
 intentions His troops were defeated in the first 
 engagement, and the unfortunate prince was com- 
 pelled to fly for refuge; but being pursued by his 
 revolted subjects, and seeing no method to avoid 
 falling into their hands, he pushed his horse over a 
 precipice, and was dashed to pieces. 
 
 After the death of Abdallah, his chief general 
 Abdolumen, supported by the suffrages of all the 
 other revolled chiefs, was declared his successor, 
 and proclaimed king accordingly. Brahem, how- 
 ever, having left an infant son, whom, at his depar- 
 ture from the capital, he had committed to the care 
 of proper governors ; on the news of his father's death , 
 he was acknowledged as sovereign of Morocco, and 
 all the inhabitants swore allegiance to him. This 
 circumstance was no sooner reported to Abdolumen, 
 than he immediately marched an army against 
 the capital, which he invested. It was bravely de- 
 fended by the inhabitants, but he took a solemn 
 oath that he would not raise tl>e siege till he had 
 reduced the city, and made it to pass through a 
 sieve. In order to accomplish his oath, and to ob- 
 literate for ever the memory of the founders of Mo- 
 rocco, he caused the most ancient and splendid edi- 
 fices, particularly the royal palace and other public
 
 General History. 207 
 
 buildings, to be levelled with the ground, and the 
 stones to be broken and reduced to powder, which 
 was sifted. He then constructed in a more ample 
 and sumptuous manner, other palaces and other 
 raosques, which he denominated after his own 
 name ; but he had the mortitication to see all those 
 edifices resume the names of the kings their 
 founders, by which they had been formerly distin- 
 guished. He put the son of the late monarch to 
 death ; and exercised the greatest cruelty against 
 the citizens and soldiers who had signalized them- 
 selves in the defence of the city, or had exhibited 
 zeal and loyalty in the cause of the infant sovereign. 
 In the mean time, the Moorish princes in Spain, 
 greatly harassed by the exertions of king Alphonso, 
 repeatedly entreated Abdolumen to pass over to 
 their assistance; but his own dominions demanding 
 all his attention, he could only send them an army 
 of thirty thousand men, who were very serviceable 
 against the Christians. On the death of Abdolu- 
 men, his son, Joseph the second, ascended the 
 throne, and imitated his predecessors in making 
 descents on Spain. He was succeeded by his son 
 Almansor, which signifies conqueror, who carried 
 the war into Spain, and also subdued Nuuiidia, and 
 all the country which extends as far as Tripoli, 
 comprehending Morocco, Fez, and Tunis, to the 
 deserts of Lybia. He likewise i?:ained several vic- 
 tories over the Ciiristians, and became the most 
 powerful king that had reigned in Africa since the 
 time of the Arabian caliphs. During the period of 
 his absence in Spain, the governor of Morocco re- 
 volted ; but not daring to meet his sovereign in the 
 field, he retired into the capital, where he fortified
 
 208 PICTURE OP BAHBARY. 
 
 himself. The kin^ immediately invested the city, 
 but after besiepjin;[? it for some time, was under the 
 necessity of promising pardon to the rehel^ on condi- 
 tion of his deliverinj? np Morocco. xAhnansor, how- 
 ever, not being able to restrain his anger at the sight 
 of the revolted governor, commanded his head to be 
 struck off. But, touched with remorse at ids cru- 
 elty and breach of faith, the king immediately disap- 
 peared, and wandered about obscure and unknown, 
 and at length commenced the business of a baker at 
 Alexandria. Here he was found some years after by 
 one of his wives, who loved him with great tender- 
 ness, and had left Morocco to search for her husband. 
 Almansor not being to be prevailed on to return to 
 his kingdom, the emirs conferred the crown on his 
 son, who experiencing great misfortunes in Spain, 
 died of grief.* When intelligence was received of 
 his death, all the governors of the different provinces 
 revolted against his son, who was still a child ; and 
 this vast empire, towards the middle of the thir- 
 teenth century, was divided into several nations 
 and kingdoms, which are now known by the name 
 of the States of Barbary. 
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 
 
 After the death of Almansor, the vast empire of 
 Barbary was divided among the governors or vice- 
 roys, who rendered themselves^independent. From 
 that period, the sovereign power was transferred from 
 one person to another through several tribes, till at 
 
 •A. D. 1212.
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. -209 
 
 kngtli it became vested in that of Oatzes;, wlio es- 
 tablishe<l the throne at Fez, and appointed o-overnors 
 to rule at iMorocco. In the province of Dhara, there 
 ^ lived a person named Hassan, who pretended to be 
 of the race of the shariHTs, or descendants of Vlaho- 
 met, and who had arquired i^reat respect by his 
 virtue, piety, and knowledge. This man had three 
 sons, jj^rown to maturity, who were called Abdel- 
 quiver, Ham'med, and IVfahomet, and whom he edu- 
 cated in the same principles. In order to raise their 
 reputation among the devotees, Hassan determined 
 to send them on a pilgrimage to Mecca, where they 
 conducted themselves with such prudence, and ex- 
 hibited such proofs of their piety and holiness, that 
 on their return, the people flocked round them in 
 crowds wherever they passed to kiss the hem of 
 their garments. 
 
 Hassan and his sons pretended to ecstatic visions 
 and revelations, and affected an extraordinary »eal 
 for the Mahometan faith ; insomuch that, at length, 
 they were considered as envoys deputed by heaven 
 to be the defenders of the religion of the prophet. 
 The old sharifT, who conducted the matter, sent 
 two of his sons to Fez, where they insinuated them- 
 selves so much into the favour of the king, that he 
 raised Hammed, the eldest, to a professor's chair in 
 the celebrated college in that city, aiid appointed 
 Mahocnet, the youngest, preceptor to his own 
 children. 
 
 Taking advantage of the royal favour and of their 
 influence in the college, they requested and ob- 
 tained the governments of Suz, Morocco, Hoa, 
 Treniecen, and Ducata. Mnley Nacer, the king's 
 brother, a person of much prudence and discern- 
 
 6 E E
 
 •2fO PICTDKE OF BARBARY. 
 
 ment, penetrated the sinister designs of the shariif^^ 
 remonstrated with the monarch on the impropriety 
 of his conduct, and ceased not to exclaim, that 
 there was great reason to be suspicious of these 
 hypocrites ; hut his remonstrances were vain and 
 ineffectual. The two brothers had no sooner arrived 
 in the provinces of their government, than they 
 raised the standard of Mahomet against the Por- 
 tuguese, who had possession there of some small 
 and inconsiderable settlements. They also affected 
 great zeal in the cause of the Mahometan religion, 
 which failed not to procure them a great number of 
 mussulmen soldiers ; and attacking the city of Me- 
 zoar, whose inhabitants had sided with the Portu- 
 guese, they made themselves masters of it, and of 
 tlie whole province of Dhara. These successes 
 raised their reputation to such a height, that not 
 only the king of Fez and his subjects, but all the 
 Moors in general, applauded the choice that had 
 been made of these shariffs. Muley Nacer alone 
 penetrated their perfidious designs, and lamented 
 the evils which he could not prevent. The repeated 
 remonstrances of this prince, however, began to 
 produce some effect on the mind of the king, wher> 
 Mahomet, after rendering himself absolute in his 
 government, built a magnificent palace in the capi- 
 tal of his province, and assumed the title of pi-ince 
 of Hoa. 
 
 The two brothers soon after formed the design of 
 making themselves masters of the city of Morocco^ 
 which with the neighbouring territory was occupied 
 by a prince of a petty tribe. In order to avoid the 
 tediousness and uncertainty of a siege, they resolv- 
 ed, if possible, to obtain possession of the place by
 
 History of Morocco a?id Fez. 211 
 
 treachery; which was accordingly effected hy poi- 
 soning the prince. Not thinking themselves, how- 
 ever, sufficiently stronij to profess openly their de- 
 signs, they sent a splendid embassy lo the King of 
 Fez, assnringihe (nonarch of their entire submission 
 to his authority, and that they would pay him an 
 annual tribute. Their father Hassan was now dead; 
 and their eldest brother Abdelquivir, who was the 
 least warlike of the three, had been killed in an en- 
 gagement. They were at that time known under 
 the denomination of the twoshariffs, and considered 
 and extolled among the good and pious niussidmen 
 as the most steady and strenuous supporters of their 
 holy religion; and having attained to this high de- 
 gree of power, they at length resolved to maintain 
 their iudepencience, and lo renounce their allegiance 
 to the king of Fez. The monarch, now sensible 
 •of his Huprudence, expressed his resentment by me- 
 naces, to which the treacherous shariffs paid no 
 regard. 
 
 This prince died soon after of grief,* and was suc- 
 ceeded by his son, who having been educated under 
 Mahomet, the youngest of the three brothers, ima- 
 gined that he could gain his preceptor, by giving 
 him to understand, that in consideration of a small 
 annual tribute he would confirm him in his power 
 and dignity. To this Mahomet replied, that being 
 a descendant of the great prophet, it was neither 
 lawful nor becoming his dignity and honour that he 
 should pay tribute to any one. " If you are indeed," 
 continued he, '' desirous of treating me as a friend, 
 I shall always entertain a grateful remembrance of 
 the favours 1 have received from your father and 
 
 ♦A. D. 1529.
 
 212 f^lCTlJRE OF BARBARY. 
 
 from you ; but if you endeavour to obstruct me iu 
 the Mar which I am now carryinu on against the 
 Christian!*, you must expect for that impiety the 
 jusl judiiniPiit of God and of hi« prophet; and as 
 for niyse f, ] want neither streny^th nor courage to 
 counteract any attempts that may be made to divest 
 me of my dijjnity and authority." 
 
 Thisan>\\ei l)eing reported to liie king of Fez, he 
 laid siege to the capital of Morocco ; but being re- 
 pulsed bv the garrison, was obliged to al)andon the 
 enterprise. I'he two shariflTs soon after united their 
 forces, and ai tacking the nioriarch in his retreat, 
 compelled his army to betake themselves to flight, 
 when all the tents and baggage of the soverei«;n fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. After this success, 
 Mahomei assumed the title of king, which had be- 
 fore been given to his brolher Hammed, whom he 
 now exceeded as much in power, as he had hitlierto 
 surpassed him in valour and policy. The latter, 
 however, displeased to see his younger brother 
 usurp a dignity, which he considered as belonging 
 exclusively to himself, declared war against Maho- 
 met; who prudently forbore all kinds of hostility 
 till he was attacked by Hammed, and contented 
 himself with apprising the principal officers of his 
 armx, of his brother's treachery and ingratitude. A 
 general engagement soon after took place between 
 the armies of the two rivals, in which tliat of Ham- 
 med was defeated with the loss of eight thousand 
 men, and himself and one of his sons were taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 At length, by the intervention of the nobles, a 
 treaty of partition was concluded between the two 
 brothers, by which it was agreed, that Mahomet 
 should possess the government of Suz, together with
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 2 1 3 
 
 all the provinces to ihe south of Mount Atlas, and 
 that Harran, liis eldest son, should he declared heir 
 to the kingdoms \vi)ich thcv conjointly possessed. 
 Hammed, however, was no sooner set at liberty, and 
 had reached his capital of Morocco, than he refused 
 to ratify the treaty, which he considered as extreniely 
 prejudicial to his own family. This was followed 
 by another bloody and desperate engaj^emeut, in 
 which the forces of the unfortunate Hammed were 
 again defeated, and himself taken prisoner, and ba- 
 nished with his family to the province of Tatilet. 
 
 Mahomet now began to think of some pretence 
 for declaring war against the King of Fez, whom he 
 looked upon as not only an enemy, but as an eclipser 
 of his glory, on account of his boasted Ions: series of 
 royal ancestors. He therefore sent to demand of 
 him the restitution of the province of Tedia, which 
 belonged to the kingdom of Morocco, of which he 
 was now possessed. Receiving an absolute denial, 
 he raised a powerful force, and laid siege to the 
 castle on the frontiers of Fez, but was quickly 
 forced to raise it; partly by the bravery of Onzar, 
 who commanded it, and partly on account of the 
 approach of the Fezian arn^y, who, with Oataz at 
 their head, were in full march against him. It con- 
 sisted of thirty tliousand men, among whom were 
 the chief nobility of his kingdom, Veiles, and Dub- 
 du; besides some Arabian shaiks, at the head of 
 their troops; eight hundred Turks, commanded by 
 a Persian ; and one thousand archers, on horse- 
 back. 
 
 Mahomet's army consisted of eighteen thousand 
 choice troops, and about twelve hundred archers ; 
 nevertheless, trusting partly to his own good for- 
 tuue, and partly to the inconstancy of the Arabs
 
 t\4 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 and Fezians, he marched by slow journeys towards 
 Oataz ; and had the pleasure to hear, from day to 
 day, that the Fezian army continued to decrease, 
 either by tlie desertion of his own subjects, or the 
 retreat of some of his allies. This defection obliged 
 that prince to engage him as soon as he could ; Ma- 
 homet perceiving his drift, reminded his troops of 
 the great consequence of this present action, which, 
 if crowned with victory, would infallibly open a 
 way to them for the reduction of all Barbary. As 
 he led them to the onset, he further assured them, 
 that not a man of them should fall except a negro, 
 and that the King of Fez would be taken prisoner; 
 all whicli circumstances he told them he knew by 
 his skill in magic art. Having given express orders 
 to his troops not to stir till the signal should be 
 made, Oataz followed his example in this particu- 
 lar. Mahomet waiting till the declining sun shone 
 full in the eyes of the enemy, gave the signal for the 
 onset. Both sides engaged with equal ardour, till 
 Mahomet's centre, where he commanded, opening to 
 the right and left, discovered a battery of cannon 
 behind the ranks ; which, as soon as it began to 
 play, spread such an universal panic among the 
 Fezians, that they betook then»selves to flight. The 
 king himself was hurried away by his own oflicers, 
 but in his flight had the misfortune, wounded as he 
 already was, to fall off his horse and to be taken 
 prisoner, and brought bound to Mahomet. 
 
 As soon as Mahomet saw the unfortunate Oataz 
 brought prisoner before him, he addressed himself 
 to him in words to this effect : " Though fortune 
 hath now made you my prisoner, yet the remem- 
 brance that I was once your tutor, inclines me ra- 
 ther to give you, as I was wont formerly to do, some
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 215 
 
 useful lessons, rather of tenderness than resentment. 
 You cannot, indeed, be blamed for any thing but 
 the neg^Iect of punishing- a great variety of atrocious 
 crimes, which your sul)jects commit with impunity 
 in your metropolis, once so famous for religion and 
 learning, but now the sink of impiety and every 
 kind of vice. But since you had not the courage to 
 make use of the authority which God had intrusted 
 you with, to suppress these enormities ; if you see 
 yourself now deprived of all your royalty, do not 
 imagine me to be the author of it, but rather think 
 that it is God himself, who hath fought on my side 
 against you, and that your defeat is wholly his own 
 work. 
 
 " Great kings are seldom able to see truth but 
 through mists and clouds, or to receive wholesome 
 counsels, till some misfortunes oblige them to open 
 their eyes. It is, therefore, to render you more obe- 
 dient to his voice, that he hath brought yon to this 
 low estate; and now enjoins you by my mouth, to 
 restore religion, arts, and sciences to their ancient 
 splendour; by punishing those who are enemies to 
 them, and whom you have hiiherto tolerated within 
 your dominions. As for me, do not think that I 
 will take any advantage of your present ill fortune; 
 for though I have just cause to resent the assistance 
 which you offered to my brother against me, yet I 
 know as well how to forgive as to revenge an injury. 
 Be therefore of good courage, and depend upon it 
 that it will not be long ere you are restored to your 
 dominions." 
 
 Oataz having heard him with great patience, is 
 said to have made the followins; bold ami s^'usible 
 reply. *' I can hardly believe that you took up arms
 
 216 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 against me merely to give me this lesson. However, 
 since you ij^ive it n)e as a master, I will receive it ra- 
 ther as a (iisciple than a prisoner ; and in hopes that 
 my answer may prove as useful to yon as yon think 
 your advice is to me, I shall readily own, that many^ 
 abuses and irregularities may be introduced in a 
 state, which is not in the power of a numarch to 
 foresee or redress; but granting that those yon 
 charge me with were ever so great and enormous, 
 and entirely owing to my neglect, doth it belong to 
 such a man as you to take the punishment of my 
 misconduct upon yourself? You, whom my father, 
 at my request, raised from the vile employment of 
 a schoolmaster to the height of credit and fortune? 
 Is it for you, upon whem I myself have heaped the 
 greatest favours, to repay me now with the blackest 
 ingratitude; and this under the specious cloak of 
 virtue and religion ? But to avoid saying any thing 
 that may expose the unparelleled dissimulation you 
 are so great a master of to those that hear us, be 
 persuaded rather that Providence has now delivered 
 me up into your power, to try what use you will 
 make of your victory ; and whether, after yon have 
 violated the most solemn treaties, and broken the 
 most sacred ties of allegiance and gratitude, your 
 heart can be capable of relenting. Since yon have 
 gone so far to make me sensible of my duty, let us 
 now see how well you can perform your own, and 
 whether yon can perceive how far the inconstancy 
 of fortune hath made us stand in need of each other. 
 As for your complaint of my assisting your brother 
 against you, 1 disdain to justify an action so laud- 
 able in itself, and which ought only to make you 
 sensible how ready I should have been to have done
 
 History of Morocco and Fez, 217 
 
 the same by yon, had you been in his case." This 
 severe answer was received by the artful sharif with 
 a smiline: countenance : but to avoid all farther re- 
 plies on either side, he ordered the king, out of a 
 pretended reg;ard to his wounds, to be conducted 
 into a stately tent next to his own, where that mo- 
 narch had the mortification to hear, that AIju' On- 
 zar, to whom he had committed the government of 
 {he fortress of Fixtela, was come to deliver the keys 
 of it to his adversary. 
 
 This severe reply oidy produced a malignant smile 
 on the countenance of the shariff; who, however, 
 treated his prisoner with much outward respect. 
 But when they came to mention the terms of his 
 ransom, this ungenerous conqueror insisted that the 
 king of Fez should deliver up to him his capital, 
 whenever he might think proper to demand it. Ham- 
 med, the brother of Mahomet, who was dissatisfied 
 with the portion of territory allotted to him, judging 
 of the discontent of the king of Fez by his own, pro- 
 posed to that prince to conclude a league offensive 
 and defensive against their common enemy. Before, 
 however, that matters were brought to a crisis, and 
 even without knowing whether a rupture would 
 take place, Mahomet suddenly presented himself 
 before Fez, and summoned the king to surrender 
 the city. This the monarch absolutely refused, and 
 alleged, that the inhabitants were unwilling to open 
 their gates, and to change their sovereign. Maho- 
 met, however, having secretly gained over the peo- 
 ple to his interest, by promising them certain advan- 
 tages, was received into the city, and the unfortu- 
 nate king fled with precipitation into the fortress, 
 6 F F
 
 218 PICTURE OF BAKBARY. 
 
 where, being destitute of provisions, he was obliged 
 to submit himself to the conqueror. The only ternas 
 on which he obtained his life were, that he should 
 live as a private individual, in whatever place Ma- 
 homet should think proper to appoint. The unfor- 
 tunate prince was commanded soon after to retire 
 with his family to Morocco, where he might be un- 
 der the immediate power of the conqueror; and 
 Hammed was banished to the desert, in the hopes 
 that his name would never more be mentioned. 
 
 This prince, however, contrived means to escape 
 from his dreary abode, and once more appeared in 
 arms against his brother, who took him prisoner soon 
 after, and sent him with all his children to Morocco, 
 which became his prison. Mahomet, in his old age, 
 experienced misfortunes which irritated his temper: 
 he lost in war a favourite son, to whom he confided 
 his most important concerns, and his arms were .not 
 accompanied with that success, which had hitherto 
 attended them. He became afraid of treachery and 
 revolt, which contributed to render his life wretch- 
 ed, and his disposition cruel and tyrannical. He 
 caused the unfortunate king of Fez and his son to 
 be put to death, on suspicion that the monarch had 
 excited in a neighbouring province an insurrection, 
 which had been wholly owing to his own tyranny 
 and exactions. The aged shariff, however, could 
 not avoid his melancholy and untimely fate. 
 
 During the time in which Mahomet had been em- 
 ployed in subduing Morocco, Barbarossa had made 
 himself master of Algiers; and between these two 
 warriors there existed an ancient friendship, which 
 was only dissolved by the<ieath of the latter. His 
 son Hassan, who on the demise of his father had as-
 
 History of Morocco ami Fez. 2\^ 
 
 cended the throne of that kingdom, beinir informed 
 that Mahoroet was niakinii preparations against 
 him, and afraid thai he should not be able to resist 
 so formidable an enemy, dispatched an assassin, 
 who, in consideration of a sum of money, promised 
 to murder the tyrant. This was accordingly effect- 
 ed ; and such was the tragical fate of Mahomet, 
 who, under the specious cloak of religion and sanc- 
 tity, and by the l»asest means, had raised himself to 
 the summit of power and greatness. No sooner was 
 the news of his death carried to Morocco, than Bu- 
 dear, the governor of that city, fearing Hammed, 
 whom he had then in custody, would find means to 
 excite a sedition among the people, caused him and 
 seven of his sons or grandsons to he massacred. 
 Thus the two rival brothers, who had so long con- 
 tended for the empire, perished by violent deaths 
 almost at the same time. 
 
 Mahomet was succeeded in the kingdom by his 
 son Abdallah,* the first measures of whose govern- 
 ment were employed in punishing the officious 
 cruelty of Budear. In the iminber of those whom 
 that minister had caused to be put to <leath, were 
 two young princes, born by Lela Mariam, the sister 
 of Abdallah, to Zidan, the eldest son of Hammed. 
 The princess, greatly affected with this melancholy 
 event, resolved to be avenged on the murderer of her 
 children. For that purpose she endeavou ed to in- 
 spire Abdallah with suspicions of Budear then 
 grand vizier, whon) she insinuated to have murder- 
 ed those princes with no other view than that of 
 securing the crown to his brother; and that, (»n the 
 death of the sovereign, he would also put to death 
 
 *A. D. 1557*
 
 220 PICTURE OF BARRARY. 
 
 the king's son. Thoujjh the monarch entertained a 
 greater affection for his sister than was consistent, 
 he refused to give credit to this information, and re- 
 quested farther proof of the vizier's designs. Leia 
 Marian), therefore, devised a stratagem which had 
 the desired effect. 
 
 She proposed to her brother that he should feign 
 himself iH, and that no person should be permitted 
 to see him. The vizier was frequent in his visits, 
 being always refused adnnttance, began to suspect 
 that the king was dead, and that his sister, for some 
 political reasons, intended to conceal this circum- 
 stance from the public. Budear, therefore, demand- 
 ed to be admitted in a haughty and resolute tone, 
 and told the princess that there was an absolute ne- 
 cessity of his being satisfied whether the monarch 
 was alive or not. LeIa, as if forced to comply, ac- 
 knowledged that her brother was dead, and con- 
 ducted the vizier into an apartment where he beheld 
 the prince stretched out motionless, having his face 
 covered with a veil. She then asked his opinion of 
 what was proper at such a juncture, and proposed 
 that the son of the deceased monarch shcmld be 
 proclaimed king. The vizier, however, replied, that 
 the prince was too young to succeetl his father; and 
 that it would he nece«jsary to have someone capable 
 of governing the state, of punishing the crimes which 
 Abdaliah had tolerated, and of rewarding the worthy 
 persons whom he had overlookerl ; that no one was 
 better qualified for filling the vacant throne than his 
 brother; and that, notwithstanding his obligations 
 to the late king, he would be the first to oppose the 
 succession of his son. 
 
 Budear would have added more, but Abdaliah, 
 no longer able to contain himself, uncovered his
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 221 
 
 face, and shaking his staff, be^nn a speech filled 
 with the most severe invectives and reproaches. The 
 Yizier, confounded and terrified, immediately qiiitted 
 the royal presence, and disgnisino, himself in female 
 attire, fled out of the city. But while he was wait- 
 ing under an olive-tree in expectation of horses 
 which he had ordered to follow, some huntsmen 
 who passed that way, taking him for a woman of 
 pleasure, lifted up his veil, and recognized him. 
 Their finding tl)e vizier in such a situation, inspired 
 them with suspicions; and they accordingly con- 
 ducted him before the emperor, who, not recovered 
 from the violence of his anger and resentment, or- 
 dered him to immediate execution. From that pe- 
 riod Ahdallah became extremely jealous and cruel, 
 and endeavoure(l to remove whatever might seem to 
 interrupt either his- repose or his pleasures.* 
 
 Abdallah was succeeded by his son Muley Maho- 
 met,'}' who was surnamed the negro, because born of 
 a negro woman. This prince, a few years after his 
 accession to the throne, was deposed by his uncle 
 Muley Moluch,J who gained the famous battle ofAI- 
 cassor, in which Don Sebastian, the king of Portu- 
 
 * Abdallah was much ^iveii to wine and women ; and when 
 he had subdued liis eneiiiies, and secured himself from any lartber 
 attempts from his brother, he abandoned him:>elf entirely to drinking 
 and debauchery. He was seldom sober, but most frequently ex- 
 tremely drunk ; and when so, indulged himself in flagrant acts of 
 iivjustice, cruelly, and lewdness; insomuch that he scrupled not, 
 among other modest women, whom he lorced to submit to his 
 brutish lusts, to debauch his own sister Leia Meriani, though he 
 had above two hundred wives and concubines in his seraglio. H< 
 was of a brown complexion, middle size, but fat and corpulent to- 
 ward* the latter end of his life. 
 
 t A. D. ]574. : A. D. 1578.
 
 222 PICTURE OF BARBARY. " 
 
 gal, was defeated and slain. When the engagement 
 commenced, the Moorish sovereign was dangerously 
 ill. and obliged to be carried in a lilter; lie, never- 
 theless, gave his orders with great tranquillity and 
 precision; and reqnested those near his person, if 
 he died dcning the contest, that they should conceal 
 his death from the troops till after the battle : he 
 lived, however, to see victory incline in his favour, 
 and expired before the engagement was entirely 
 decided. 
 
 He was succeeded by his brother Mnley Ham- 
 med J. *" who caused himself to be proclainted amidst 
 the trophies of Muley Moluch. The reign of this 
 prince was prosperous and happy, and he was a 
 lover and enconrager of learning and learned men. 
 His son Zidan, M'ho ascended the throne on the de- 
 mise of his father,'!' was employee/- during the former 
 part of his life, in quelling the turbulence and re- 
 bellion of his brothers. His latter years however 
 were spent in tranquillity and peace. This prince 
 was succeeded by his son Muley Abdalmelecb,^ 
 who became odious to his subjects, by his drunken- 
 ness, cruelty, and various other vices, and was as- 
 sassinated by a Tartar Christian, whom he wished 
 .to make an eunuch. His brother and successor, 
 Muley Elevali, was on the point of losing his eyes 
 by the orders of the barbarous Abdalmelech, when 
 be ascended the throne.§ This prince was of 
 a mild and afl'able disj30sition, and procured the 
 love and esteem of his subjects. He was succeeded 
 by his brother, Muley Hammed the second, || who 
 
 * A. D. 1595. t A. D. J 603. t A. D. l630. 
 
 §A. D. 1634. II A. D. 1646.
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 223 
 
 being excessively atldicted to women, passed most 
 of his time in a state of indolence in his serairlio. 
 and became universally despised l)y his snhjects. 
 The inactivity of the prince excited the Alarbes, 
 or Arabs of the desert, who besieged him in his 
 capital, and afterwards murdered him. 
 
 This people substituted in his stead their own 
 king, Crumel Hack; but as he was not of the dy- 
 nasty, he is not included among the legitimate suc- 
 cessors. These latter retired to the kingdom of 
 Tafilet,* which was governed by one of them, named 
 Muley Cherif, who being defeated in an engagement 
 by Sidi Omar, the petty prince of Illech, was con- 
 fined in a prison for a considerable time. In order 
 however that he might not be entirely without com- 
 pany, Omar sent him a very ugly female negro, by 
 whom he had two sons, Muley Archey and Muley 
 Ismael. 
 
 The eldest of these children, Muley Archey, as- 
 cended the throne on the demise of his father, and 
 became king of Tafilet. Having drunk to excess, 
 he fell from his horse and fractured his scull, of 
 ¥rhich he died. He was succeeded by his brother, 
 Muley Ismael,^ who resided as a private individual 
 at Mequinez, which was then only a castle, siiuated 
 in the most agreeable and most fertile part of Bar- 
 bary, where, during the former part of his reign, he 
 employed himself in agriculture and commerce. He 
 became, however, afterwards one of the most bar- 
 barous tyrants that ever disgraced a throne. He 
 occupied his people in such a manner, that they 
 might not have time for considering the oppression 
 
 *A. D. 15(50. tA. D. 1672.
 
 224 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 under which they suffered. •* If I confine rats in a 
 basket," said he, " they will break through and es- 
 cape, unless J afford them employment." He load- 
 ed them therefore with taxes and labour, and con- 
 trived to keep their minds in continual suspense 
 by new orders and cruel exactions. The ferocity 
 of his disposition, was only equalled by his avarice: 
 he accumulated great sums, without beiqg at any 
 expence in maintaining his family and his troops. 
 
 Not many years after his accession to the throne, 
 having commanded his army to go and retake the city 
 of Morocco, of which Muley Mahomet, one of his 
 sons, had made himself master, the officers de- 
 manded the money due to them. " Ye Moorish 
 dogs," replied Ismael, " do the mules, camels, and 
 other animals of my empire ask any thing for their 
 nourishment and support? They procure it them- 
 selves without importuning me ; do you the same, 
 and march with ail speed." This was encouraging 
 both officers and soldiers to plunder wherever they 
 went ; and they failed not to obey his instructions. 
 
 Muley Mahomet, against whom they were sent, 
 and had been compelled to revolt by the intrigues 
 of a jealous step-mother, and the harsh usage of his 
 father, had a formidable rival in his brother Zidan, 
 who was the son of a female negro, named Lailah Aja- 
 kah, whose soul was equally black with her body. 
 Muley being endowed with the most amiable qua- 
 lities, was universally esteemed by the people; 
 whilst his brother Zidan was exactly the reverse, 
 and detested by every one. Ismael, for what rea- 
 ion is not known, sent these two sons to a distant 
 town, where quarrelling and coming to blows, they 
 were ordered to be brought before their father, who
 
 Hislorif of Morocco and Fez. 225 
 
 notable to reconcile them, indulged in the singular 
 pleasure of making them tight in his presence. At 
 the earnest entreaty of the nohles, however, their 
 scymitars were exchanged for cudgels; with which 
 they fought with such fury, that they were soon 
 covered with blood ; and the death of Zidan seemed 
 inevitable, when Ismael commanded them to cease, 
 Mahomet not readily obeying the royal injunction, 
 his father beat him with a stick ; but in a (e\v mo-- 
 ments, his tenderness overcame his resentment, and 
 as a reparation for the injury, he conferred on him 
 a government at his choice. 
 
 The preferment of Mahomet awakened the jea*- 
 lousy of Lailah, who considered hini as the person 
 intended to succeed to the throne. She therefore 
 counterfeited the king's hand and seal, and ordered 
 him to put to death a venerable Arabian governor, 
 whom Ismael highly esteemed. The prince obeyed, 
 and this action would certaiidy have cost him his 
 life, had not he been able to prove the cause of his 
 perpetrating the deed. The treacherous conduct 
 of his mother-in-law, induced Mahomet at length 
 to rear the standard of rebellion ; and the king sent 
 against him his brother Zidan, who partly by force, 
 partly by stratagem, took him prisoner. 
 
 On the first notice of his son's approach, Ismael 
 attended by two thousand horse went forth to meet 
 him. To add to the horror of the cavalcade, he 
 was preceded by forty Christian slaves, bearing 
 a large cauldron^ one hundred weight of pitch, 
 and the same cpjantity of tallow and oil. Tliese 
 were followed by six butchers with large knives 
 in their hands, and a waggon loaded with wood, 
 This horrid apparatus struck terror into the inha^ 
 
 6' &»
 
 226 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 bitants of Mequiiiez, who had already seen punish- 
 ments invented by Isniael, Mahomet's daughter, 
 attended by a numerous company of ladies, who 
 cajne to implor^e the king's clemency and pardon, 
 sent forth the most lamentable cries. Even the 
 black snltaness, dissembling her hatred, became 
 ai) intercessor for the ])rince. Ismael however, 
 coolly replied, that his son would suffer no other 
 punishtiient than that of having a little boiling oil 
 poured on him. 
 
 When the prince was brought before his father, he 
 prostrated himself at the feet of the barbarian, and 
 asked forgiveness. The king, however, fixing his 
 eyes on the unfortunate Mahomet, placed the point 
 of his lance against his breast, and renmined silent 
 for some time. 
 
 Ismael, however, considering that he was about 
 to inflict a punishment too mild and lenient for 
 the crimes which the prince had committed, com- 
 manded one of the butchers to mount the cart 
 with him, and to place his arm on the rim of the 
 cauldron, and to cut it off". The honest, but un- 
 happy man, refused to comply with this injunction, 
 and protested that he would rather lose his own life 
 than shed the blood of the son of his prince. The 
 king, irritated with this refusal, immediately struck 
 oft' his head, and gave orders to another to cut oflT 
 one hand and one foot of the unfortunate Mahomet ; 
 which being instantly executed, the barbarous Is- 
 mael insultingly said to his son, *' Ah ! wretch, dost 
 thou now know thy father?" Having pronounced 
 these words, he drew his sword and dispatched the 
 executioner. On which Mahomet could not for- 
 bear to observe : " Behold the bravery of ray fa- 
 ther! he kills him who executes, as well as him
 
 History of 31orocco and Fez. 227 
 
 who disobeys, liis orders," The arm and leg were 
 then immersed in the melted pitch, in order to stop 
 the effusion of bood ; and the same day the prince 
 was conducted to Mequinez. He entered tlie cily 
 on a mule, with his arm in a scarf, and his lej^ in a 
 wooden box ; but becoming frantic with this horrid 
 treatment, he would not suffer his wounds to be 
 dressed. He tore off the bandages ; and a morti- 
 fication ensuing, he died soon after. 
 
 It is impossible to express the doleful cries and 
 lamentations,, which the news of this new kind of 
 punishment occasioned in the palace, especially in 
 the apartments of the women. To appease this 
 agitation, the king threatened immediate death to 
 all who should be heard to weep ; and to show that 
 he was in earnest, he ordered four of them, who 
 were unable to restrain their emotions, to be 
 strangled. Mahomet's daughter was the only per- 
 son permitted to indulge in tears and lamentations. 
 After relating these accounts of the conduct of Is- 
 mael, it is almost needless to add that he was a 
 monster of cruelty. He nevertheless appeared to 
 be a pious and devout mussulman, and was strict 
 in performing the several duties of his religion ; 
 prayers, fasting, and ablutions. He was re(uark- 
 ably abstemious in the use of wine and strong li- 
 quors ; and therefore none of his barbarous actions 
 can be ascribed to intoxication. He never under- 
 took any affair of iujportance, without first prostrat- 
 ing: himself a long time on the ground, and request- 
 ing liglit and assistance from God. What a con- 
 trast in the character of this prince ! 
 
 Zidan, who had been the principal cause of Ma- 
 homet's ruin and death, became also suspected by
 
 22B PICTWRE OF BAFvBARY. 
 
 his father, who endeavoured by every means irt 
 his power to entice him to court. The neg^ress, his 
 mother, likewise exerted herself for that purpose ( 
 but their stratagems and efibrts were vain and inef- 
 fectual. The violence and intoxication of Zidan^ 
 however, rendering him dreaded and detested by 
 his wives, who lived in a state of continual alarm, 
 Ismael gained them over to his interest ; and one 
 day, while overpowered with wine^ they smothered 
 him in his bed. 
 
 Zidan was no sooner dead than the tyrant con- 
 ceived mistrust of his eldest son Abdelmelech, 
 \vhon) he endeavoured to persuade to reside near 
 him; but not being able to effect this, he clianged 
 the order of succession in favour of Muley Debi, 
 Avho was two years younger. Ismael died at a very 
 advanced age. He seemed to reign chiefly l)y ter- 
 ror, which was always effectual. He sported with 
 the lives of his subjects, and spared no one ; and 
 those esteemed themselves the most happy, who 
 werfe not condemned to languish out a miserable 
 existence amidst cruel torments. IsUiael however 
 was reckoned a great politician, and restored to the 
 empire that splendour which had long been lost. 
 
 On the death of his father, Muley Debi, whom 
 he had appointed his successor, ascended the 
 throne •* but proceeding to great excess of cruelty 
 and debauchery, the people cursed Ismael for having 
 chosen the most vicious of his sons. This general ha- 
 tred was extremely favourable to Abdelmelech, who 
 had taken up arms against his brother; and having 
 conquered Muley Debi in ah engagement, he took 
 
 *A. D. 1727-
 
 History of 3Iorocco and Fez. 229 
 
 kim prisoner, and would have put out Lis eyes, hut 
 was prevented by tJie militia. They considered him 
 necessary to be preserved, in case tliey sliould dis- 
 like their new emperor. Though Abdelmelech was 
 mild and patient under oj)|)res!>ion, he no sooner 
 acquired power than he became cruel and disso- 
 lute; and being- unable to secure the favour of the 
 negroes, he was deposed, and the crown restored to 
 Debi. This prince was no sooner reinstated on the 
 throne, than he recommenced his debaucheries and 
 cruelties, and died after ordering Abdelmelech to 
 be strangled. 
 
 Abdelmelech, however, richly deserved his fate. 
 Of his various cruelties, the reader may f<»rm some 
 idea from the following instances. He caused one 
 of his negroes to be thrown from the tojj of a ter- 
 l-ace, for stopping his pipe too hard ; and another to 
 be tossed in a blanket till his limbs were dislocated, 
 for not bringing his dogs to him as soon as fie ex- 
 pected. Neither did his wives nor concid)ines fare 
 better; one of wiiom, on some trifling displeasure, 
 he condemned to have all her teeth drawu ; a few 
 days afterj having forgot his barbarous order, he 
 commanded her to come to him again, and being 
 told the misery she was in, ordered the tooth-drawer 
 to be served in the same manner, and sent his teeth 
 to her in a box to comfort her for the loss of her 
 own. He caused two Jewish young women, newly 
 married, to be brougiit to him, and having deflower- 
 ed theuj, sent then) away to their husbands ; a few 
 days aften finding that they had been registered 
 as his concid>ines, and that ^^ey had co-habited 
 with their Iiusbands, he caused both couples to be 
 murdered* Being always affable, and even generous
 
 230 PICTURE OF BARBARV. 
 
 in his drunken fits, but brutish ajid cruel when so-^ 
 ber, those who were obliged to approach him, had 
 no other way to escape his fury than by making him 
 drunk as soon as possible. 
 
 Oil the demise of Muley Debi, his son was ac- 
 knowledged emperor; but one of Ismael's widows 
 managed her intrigues with so much address, ihat 
 she caused Abdallah, whom she had borne to that 
 prince, to be placed on the throne.* This prince 
 soon discovered the cruel and tyrannical disposi- 
 tion, which he inherited from his father. Like a 
 monster he delighted to wallow in blood. H© was 
 six times deposed, and as often reinstated on the 
 throne. During these vicissitudes of fortune, he 
 was sometimes supported, and sometimes op- 
 pressed, by the corps of negroes, who were ready 
 to sell their services to the most liberal and wealthy 
 purchaser. One of his greatest enemies having 
 been taken prisoner and brought before him, Ab- 
 dallah plunged a spear into his bosom, and asked 
 for a cup that he might drink his blood. His prime 
 minister stopped him, and said, " Tliis action is 
 beneath the dignity of your majesty ; but what is 
 unbecoming in a king) may be proper and allowable 
 in a subject." Having spoke thus, he took the cup, 
 and swallowed the contents. If we were ignorant 
 of the true character of this prince, some idea of it 
 might be formed from such a minister. 
 
 Having taken Fez, which had been in a state of 
 open rebellion, Abdallah massacred almost all tbe 
 inhabitants of that city. His motiier, in the utmost 
 distress, remonstrated with him on account of these 
 
 ♦A. D. 1730.
 
 History of Morocco and Fez. 26 1 
 
 cruelties and excesses ; but he only replied, ** My 
 subjects have no other right to their lives, than 
 what I give them. With respect to myself, 1 have 
 no greater pleasure than that of butchering them 
 with my own hands." He had no other means left 
 of avoiding their fury, than by undertaking a pil- 
 grimage to Mecca. Death at last constrained him 
 to give up his authority in 1757, after having di- 
 vided the empire with his son, Sidi Mahomet, who 
 having accustomed the people to respect him, suc- 
 ceeded to the throne without opposition. 
 
 This prince manifested a laudable desire of mak- 
 ing peace with the powers of Europe; and accord- 
 ingly after confirming that already made betweeu 
 Morocco, England, and Holland, he began his 
 reign with concluding treaties with Denmark and 
 Sweden, and in the following year with Venice, 
 France, Spain, and Portugal. \\\ 1782, the em- 
 peror and the Grand Duke of Tuscany made peace, 
 and the other powers of Italy enjoyed a kind of 
 truce with the empire of Morocco. For the encou- 
 ragement of commerce he built the town of Moga- 
 dor, where nature had formed a port accessible at 
 all seasons. He ordered the fortresses of Laracha 
 and Rabat to be repaired, embellished each of these 
 cities with some edifices and public markets, and 
 iBade additions to his own palace at Morocco. 
 
 He multiplied mercantile establishments on the 
 coast of Morocco ; and merchants settled at Santa 
 Cruz, Mogador, Saffi, Rabat, Laracha, and Tetuan. 
 Desirous of effacing the remembrance of all the 
 caprices of his father, he wholly employed himself 
 i» the restoration of order, of re-establishing rules
 
 232 PICTURE OF BAHBARY. 
 
 for government, and uniformity in the decisions of 
 justice ; and with a view ot" carrying all his lauda- 
 ble plans into full effect, he raised his relation, 
 Mnley Dris, to the rank of his associate in the em- 
 pire; hut after the death of this prince in 1772, 
 Sidi Mahomet indulged his own propensities more 
 freely, to the dishonour of his government, as well 
 as to the detriment of his country. Sidi Mahomet, 
 who, after a reign of thirty-three years, died in 
 1790, was succeeded by one of his sons, Muley 
 Yezid. Of the two last emperors, some interesting 
 anecdotes will be found in our former pages ; and 
 of tlie cruelties and caprices of Sidi Mahomet, and 
 Muley Yezid, there are various partictdars in *' Tul-» 
 ly's Narrative of a Residence at Tripoli." 
 
 The presetit soiwreig-n of Morocco, Muley Soli* 
 MAN, has three brothers, two of whom contended 
 with him for the sovereignty, and being overcome, 
 now live in exile. He is about forty, rather hand- 
 some, and of a quick comprehension. He is 3.J'akihy 
 or doctor, deeply versed in the Mahometan faith, 
 and passes the greater part of the day in prayer. 
 His religious austerity prompts him to shun every 
 appearance of luxury in his dress and manner of 
 life. Requiring still greater simplicity in his mi- 
 nisters and attendants, he has completely banished 
 that splendour which usually accompanies a court: 
 the most pernicious effect of this bigotry consists 
 in the hostility with which it inspires him against 
 various branches of industry. He has ordered all 
 the plantations of tobacco to be destroyed, because 
 although the prophet has not forbidden the use of 
 that plant, there is no evidence of his having used
 
 History of Algiers, 233 
 
 il himself. In the same spirit, he opposes every 
 possible obstruction to commerce with Europeans, 
 whom, as infidels, he regards with horror. In other 
 respects, his government is said to be milder than 
 that usually experienced by the people of Mo- 
 
 1H)CC0. 
 
 History of Algiers. 
 
 Various tribes of Arabs having divided this part 
 of the coast of Africa between themselves, they 
 formed different petty states, among which there 
 were some free and independent cities. By thig 
 means the kingdom of Algiers was partition^^d into 
 four sovereignties ; Tenez, Algiers Proper, Bugeya, 
 and Tremu€n. The princes assumed the title of 
 kings ; and continued for some centuries in mutual 
 peace and amity with one another. But at length 
 they began to disagree among themselves, and the 
 king of Tenez made himself master of Bugeya and 
 Tremuen. Algiers Proper in the mean time had 
 become a place of considerable celebrity, by the 
 asylum it afforded to the Moors, who had been ex- 
 pelled out of the maritime provinces of Spain. 
 These exiles, rendered desperate by their expulsion, 
 a»d being well acquainted with the Spanish coast, 
 issued from this retreat, and endeavoured to com- 
 pensate the losses they had sustained by piracy at 
 sea, and by predatory incursions on shore. 
 
 To suppress these ravages, Ferdinand the fifth, 
 king of Arragon, sent a powerful fleet and army 
 under the command of the Count of Navarre,* who 
 
 *A. D. 1505. 
 
 H U
 
 234 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 made an irruption into Africa, took the important 
 city of Oran, and laid siege to Algiers, which was 
 the principal haunt of these pirates. In this diffi- 
 culty the Algerines invited to their assistance Selim 
 Eutemi, a warlike Arabian prince, that possessed 
 the neighbouring territory, and put themselves 
 under his protection and government. But not- 
 withstanding his efforts, the Spaniards carried on 
 the siege with vigour, and at length Algiers was 
 compelled to capitulate, and to become tributary to 
 Spain ; nor could Selim prevent them from erecting 
 a strong fort on a small island opposite to the city, 
 which they supplied with a garrison and a numer- 
 ous train of artillery. 
 
 The Algerines were obliged to submit to this 
 galling yoke till the death of Ferdinand ; of which 
 event they were no sooner apprised, than they de- 
 termined to make every effort for regaining their 
 liberty. With the consent and advice of Eutemy, 
 they sent a deputation to the famous corsair Bar- 
 barossa, who had rendered himself formidable at sea 
 from the age of thirteen ; requesting him to come 
 and deliver them from the Spanish yoke, and pro- 
 mising a gratuity equal to his services. Barbarossa, 
 highly gratified by this invitation, which offered him 
 a fixed residence with a good port, of both of which 
 he was then destitute, readily accepted the pro- 
 posal. He arrived therefore with his brother Hai- 
 radin ; but did not communicate his real designs to 
 the Algerines, and appeared only in quality of aux- 
 iliary and ally. 
 
 On his arrival in the neighbourhood of Algiers, 
 all the people of the city, with Prince Eutemy at 
 their head, went out to meet this illustrious warrior 
 whom theyconiidered as their deliverer, and conduct-
 
 Hisloiy of Algiers. 335 
 
 ed into that metropolis, with the greatest splendour, 
 and amidst tlie acclammations of the populace. 
 He was received with every mark of distinction, 
 and all ranks were anxious to provide accommoda- 
 tions for his troops. He himself was lodged in one 
 of the most splendid apartnjents in the palace of 
 the Arabian prince ; whilst his forces were treated 
 with such uncommon generosity, that he began to 
 procure the necessary infornuition, and to concert 
 measures, for executing the treacherous design of 
 enslaving the Algerines, and of making hiinself king 
 of Algiers. He communicated his plan to the chief 
 officers of his council, from whom he exacted a so- 
 lemn oath of secrecy, and who applauded his inten- 
 tion, and promised to assist him with all their 
 abilities. 
 
 In the mean time, the better to deceive the Alge- 
 rines, he caused a battery to be erectefl opposite to 
 the Spanish fortress, which he bombarded for a 
 month without producing any visible effect. On 
 this occasion, however, he acted with surh despotic 
 authority, as never to consult the Arabian prince 
 relative to any measures he intended to pursue ; 
 and the soldiers conducted themselves with such 
 insolence and brutality, that the natives no longer 
 doubted of his designs, but complained loudly of 
 his perhdy and breach of faith. Barbarossa, fear- 
 iaig that they might endeavour to counteract his in- 
 tentions, resolved to put Euteniy to death, and to 
 have himself instantly proclaimed by his troops, 
 king of Algiers. 
 
 Being lodged in the prince's palace, he had an 
 opportunity of concerting proper measures for the 
 destruction of the Arabian chief. Having observed
 
 236 PlCTtJRE OF BARBARY. 
 
 that Eutemy was accustomed to repair to the bath 
 every day at noon before prayers, Barbarossa sur- 
 prised him there in a nake<l and defenceless condi- 
 tion, and having strangled him with a napkin, im- 
 mediately withdrew, without being observed by any 
 person. He soon after returned, accompanieci by a 
 considerable retinue, as if for the purpose of bath- 
 ing; and expressed equal surprise and affliction, on 
 seeing the murdered prince. Though the inhabi- 
 tants suspected Earbarossa as the cause of this 
 tragical occurrence, they had been so cruelly treated 
 by the soldiers, that they dared not coujplain of the 
 outrage. On the contrary, fearing that tlie slaugh- 
 ter would be universal, many of the natives aban- 
 doned their city and country, and sought an asylum 
 in the neighbouring states ; whilst others shut them- 
 selves up in their houses, and left the Turks in pos- 
 session of all their property. This desertion and 
 dispirited conduct opened an easy access to the 
 Tacant throne, which Barbarossa ascended at the 
 request of his followers, without experiencing the 
 least opposition from the Algerines. He was ac- 
 cordingly proclaimed in the city with great splen- 
 dour; and rode through the streets on horseback, 
 attended by his Turks and Moors, who cried, 
 *' Long live Barbarossa, the invincible king of Al- 
 giers, chosen by God to deliver the people from the 
 oppression of the Chiistians, and to devote all those 
 to destruction that shall oppose or disobey him, 
 their lawfid soverei^'n." 
 
 The tyrant was then accompanied to the palace, 
 vrhere, seated under a stately canopy, he received 
 the congratulations of the Turks ; and dispersed 
 his troops through every part of the city, to invito
 
 History of Algiers. 237 
 
 the Alj^erines to come and swear allegianco to their 
 new monarch, with assurances that those who com- 
 plied should be treated with particidar rej^ard, and 
 entitled to the favour of the kini;. Accordingly, 
 many did obeisance to him as their soverei«;:ii, sign- 
 ed the instrument of his coronation, and were dis- 
 missed with marks of esteem. Barbarossa how- 
 ever reigned rather by the terror he inspired, than 
 by the affection and regard of the people. He suf- 
 fered his avarice and ambition to hurry him beyond 
 the bounds of prudence ; a circumstance that had 
 nearly proved fatal to his interest. The Algerines 
 became exasperated by his cruel tv, and the inso- 
 lence and brutality of his soldiers; by his rapacious 
 exactions he alienated the affections of the warlike 
 Arabs, whose esteem he had been at great pains lo 
 conciliate ; and he disbanded a great part of iiis 
 Moorish troops, who returned in discontent to the 
 province from whence they had been principally 
 raised. 
 
 The xA.lgerine chieftains, apprised of these cir- 
 cumstances, found means to send deputies to the 
 Arabians, to exhort them to abolish the Turkish 
 tyranny, to revenge the murder of tiit-ir prince 
 Eutemy, and to restore his son to the throne and 
 dominions of his father. They also carried on a 
 secret correspondence with the Spanish governor, 
 and it was agr; ed to assassinate Barbarossa and 
 the Turks, and to put themselves under the protec- 
 tion and government of Spain. The day was ap- 
 point(Hl for executing this import-ant project, when 
 it was resolved that tlie Algerines should bring their 
 fruits and herbs to the market as usual, and con- 
 ceal arms under their gowns. But the persons en-
 
 238 • PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 gaged in this design were too nnmerous to prevent 
 its being divulged to Barbarossa, who was extremely 
 vigilant and attentive, and soon discovered the 
 whole matter. Most of the Algerine chiefs, who 
 had been concerned in the conspiracy, were put 
 to death, and their estates contiscated, and the 
 rest had a heavy fine imposed on them. This 
 punishment so terrified the natives, that they never 
 afterwards attempted any thing against him or his 
 successors. 
 
 But though Barbarossa was thus freed from do- 
 mestic, he was assailed by foreign enemies. The 
 Spaniards sent against Algiers a numerous and 
 powerful fleet, with ten thousand land forces on 
 board, intended to expel the Turks out of that city, 
 and to restore the son of Eutemy to the throne of 
 his father. This armament, however, had no sooner 
 arrived in sight of the place of its destination, than 
 it was attacked by a storm, and driven against the 
 rocks, and almost every soul on board perished. 
 This disaster tended to confirm Barbarossa in his 
 usurpation, and contributed to increase his pride 
 and insolence to such a degree, that he became 
 more cruel and oppressive towards the inhabitants 
 of both tJie city and country. Several tribes of 
 Arabians were so much alarmed at his exorbitant 
 power and tyrannical conduct, that they entered 
 into an alliance with the kingof Tenez, who march- 
 ed a body of forces into the dominions of Algiers. 
 This numerous army, however, was totally defeated 
 by Barbarossa, who pursued the fugitive and unfor- 
 tunate prince to the very gates of his capital, of 
 which he made himself master, and obliged the in- 
 habitants to acknowledge him as their sovereign.
 
 History of Algiers. 239 
 
 Not long after he conquered the kins^dom of Tre- 
 niiien ; but the Spaniards uniting with the Arabs 
 in re-instating the prince on his throne, Barharossa 
 was attacked by a numerous and powerful army ; 
 and though the Turks fought with great valour and 
 intrepidity, they were defeated by the enemy, and 
 all cut to pieces. 
 
 Thus fell Barbarossa in the forty-fourth year of 
 his age.* He raised his kingdom to a degree of 
 splendour wliich it had never before known, and 
 caused himself to be acknowledged as sovereign of 
 Algiers by many foreign, as well as neighbouring 
 nations. His troops were principally composed of 
 Turkish soldiers; and it was chiefly under the ban- 
 ners of the crescent that he had distinguished him- 
 self in his maritime exploits. He preserved his in- 
 dependence ; but at the same time, kept up an in- 
 timate connexion with the Porte ; whither he sent 
 presents, and from whence he obtained recruits. 
 In short, he gave to the kingdom of Algiers almost 
 the whole of that power and extent, which it pos- 
 sesses at present. 
 
 Barbarossa was succeeded by his brother Hai- 
 radin, who having held the reins of government 
 about two years, dreaded an immediate and uni- 
 versal insurrection among the people. The more 
 effectually, therefore, to secure himself in the king- 
 dom, he applied to Selim the first, emperor of Con- 
 stantinople, and effered to submit himself and his 
 dominions to that prince, and to pay him an annual 
 tribute, provided the grand seignior would assist 
 him with a sufficient number of forces for maiutain- 
 
 *A. D. 1517.
 
 240 PICTURE OF BAR»ARY. 
 
 ing him in his station. Selim, who by the conquest 
 of Egypt had abolished the usurpation of the Mar 
 melnkes, was bij^hly pleased with the proposal, 
 received liairadin under his protection, and ap- 
 pointed him bashaw or viceroy over the kingdom 
 of Algiers. In a little time also he sent a body of 
 ten thousand janissaries, that enabled Hairadin to 
 become absolute master both of the Arabs and 
 Moors, who were obliged to submit to the most 
 abject slavery, without daring to utter the least 
 complaint against his government. He increased 
 daily in power and wealth by the number of hjs 
 corsairs, and their successful depredations at sea. 
 The Porte also sent him every year a constant sup- 
 ply of recruits, with money for the payment «f his 
 troops ; and in a little time Algiers became a for- 
 midable kingdom. 
 
 In the mean time, the sultan, whether from a 
 stnse of the great services Hairadin had rendered 
 him, &p perhaps from jealousy, lest he shouild at- 
 tempt to make himself independent, raised hiiaa to 
 the dignity of captain basha of the empire, and ap- 
 pointed Hassan aga, a Sardinian renegado, to suc- 
 ceed him as basha of Algiers. This man had no 
 sooner taken possession of his new government, 
 than he began to pursue his cruises and ravages oo. 
 the Spanish coasts, with greater fury and success 
 than ever, and extended them to those of the eccle- 
 siastical state, and other parts of Italy. His d€^- 
 predations alarmed pope Paul HI. and obliged hiin 
 to apply to the emperor .Charles V. and to exhort 
 him to send a powerful tket to suppress those fre- 
 quent and cruel piracies. Th« emperor on his 
 part wanted no fresh incitement ; his resentment 
 for the loss of the Spanish fortress, the indignities
 
 History of Algiers. 241 
 
 which had been offered to his g;6venior, and the 
 hostilities which the Algerines continued stfll com- 
 mitting on the Mediterranean, top;ether with the in- 
 vitations he received from several Arabian chiefs, 
 who promised to assist him in restoring; prince 
 Selim to his throne, determined him to equip a 
 powerful fleet, and to command it in person, in or- 
 der to make a conquest not only of Ali2:iers, but of 
 the o:reatest part of Barbary. His ambition sug- 
 gested, that nothing coubi contribute to immortalize 
 his name so much as the suppression of such a vast 
 number of sworn enemies to Christianity, and the 
 reducing of those countries under the standard of 
 Christ. That nothing might be wanting to render 
 so glorious a design successful, pope Paul published 
 a bull with a plenary absolution of all sins, and the 
 promisie of the crdwn of martyrdom, to all those 
 who should fall in battle against those infidels. 
 
 The force which Charles V. had collected toge- 
 ther, consisted of twenty thousand foot, and two 
 thousand horse, Spaniards, Italians, and Germans, 
 mostly veterans, together with three thousand vo- 
 lunteers, the flower of the Spanish and Italian nobi- 
 lity, fond of paying court to the emperor by attend- 
 ing him in his favourite expedition, and eager to 
 share in the glory which they believed he was going- 
 to reap ; to these were added a thousand soldiers 
 stent from Malta by the order of St. John, led by 
 an hundred of its most gallant knights. 
 
 Th6 voyage from Majorca to the African coast, 
 Was not less tedious, or full of hazard, than that 
 which he had finished. When he approached the 
 land, the roll of the sea, and the vehemence of the 
 \tind's, \i;'ouM not permit the troops to disembark. 
 
 7 I I
 
 242 PICTURE OF BARBARy. 
 
 But at last, the emperor seizing a favourable op- 
 portunity, landed them without opposition not far 
 from Algiers, and immediately advanced towards 
 the town. To oppose this mighty army, Hascen 
 •had only eight hundred Turks, and five thousand 
 Moors, partly natives of Africa, and partly refugees 
 from Granada. He returned, however, a fierce and 
 haughty answer when summoned to surrender. But 
 with such a handful of soldiers, neither his despe- 
 rate courage, nor consummate skill in war, could 
 have long resisted forces superior to those which 
 had defeated Barbarossa at the head of sixty thou- 
 sand men, and which had reduced Tunis in spite of 
 all his endeavours to save it. 
 
 But how far soever the emperor might think him- 
 self beyond the reach of any danger from the 
 enemy, he was suddenly exposed to a more dread- 
 ful calamity, and one against which human pru- 
 dence and human efforts avail nothing. On the 
 second day after landing, and before he had time 
 for any thing but to disperse some light-armed 
 Arabs who molested his trooj)S on their march, the 
 clouds began to gather, and the heavens to appear 
 with a fierce and threatening aspect. Towards 
 evening, rain began to fall, accompanied with vio- 
 lent wind ; and the rage of the tempest increasing 
 during the night, the soldiers who had brought no- 
 thing ashore but their arms, remained exposed to 
 all its fury, without tents or shelter, or cover of any 
 kind. The ground was soon so wet that they could 
 not lie down on it ; their camp being in a low si- 
 tuation was overflowed with water, and they sunk 
 in every step to the ankles in mud ; while the wind 
 blew with such impetuosity, that to prevent their
 
 History of Algiers. 243 
 
 falling, they were oblig;ed to thrust their spears into 
 the ground, and to support themselves by taking 
 hold of them. Hascen was too vigilant an officer 
 to allow an enemy in such distress to remain un- 
 molested. About the dawn of moniing, he sallied 
 out with soldiers, who having been screened from 
 the storm under their own roofs, were fresh and 
 vigorous. A body of Italians who were stationed 
 nearest the city, dispirited and benumbed with cold, 
 fled at the a])proach of the Turks. The troops at 
 the post behind them discovered greater courage; 
 but as the rain had extinguished their matches, and 
 wet their powder, their muskets were useless, and 
 having scarcely strength to handle their other arms, 
 they were soon thrown into confusion. Almost the 
 whole army, with the emperor himself in person, 
 was obliged to advance before the enemy could be 
 repulsed, who, after spreading such general con- 
 sternation, and killing a considerable number of 
 men, retired at last in good order. 
 
 But all feeling or remembrance of this loss and 
 danger were quickly obliterated by a more dreadful 
 as well as affecting spectacle. It was now broad 
 day; the hurricane had abated nothing of its vio- 
 lence, and the sea appeared agitated with all the 
 rage of which that destructive element is capable ; 
 all the ships, on which alom- the whole army knew 
 that their safety and subsistence depended, were 
 seen driven from their anchors, some dashing against 
 each other, some beat to pieces on the rocks, many 
 forced ashore, and not a few sinking in the waves. 
 In less than an hour fifteen ships of war, and an 
 hundred and forty transports with eight thousand 
 men, perished ; and such of the unhappy crews as
 
 244 PiCtURE OF BARBARY* 
 
 escaped the fury of the seas, were murdered with- 
 out mercy bv the Arabs, as soon as they reached 
 land. I'he en)peror stood in silent an^nish and as- 
 tonishment l)eh(ddin,j? lliis fatal event, which at once 
 blasted all his hopes of success, at)d buried in tUe 
 depths the vast stores which he had provided, as 
 well for annoyinu- the enemy, as for subsistiuij; his 
 own troops. He had it not in his power to afford 
 them any other assistance or relief than i)y sending 
 some troops to drive away the Arabs, and thus de- 
 livering a few who were so fortunate as to get 
 ashore from the cruel fate which their companions 
 had met with. At last the wind began to fall, and 
 to give some hopes that as many ships might es-* 
 cape, as would be sufficient to save the army from 
 perishing by famine, and transport them l)ack to 
 Europe. But these were only hopes ; the approach 
 of evening covered the sea with darkness; and it 
 being impossible for the officers, aboard the ships 
 which had outlived the storm, to send any intelli- 
 gence to their companions who were ashore, they 
 remained during the night in all the anguish of sus- 
 pense and uncertainty. Next day, a boat dispatch- 
 ed by Doria, made shift to reach land, witli infor- 
 mation that having weathered out the storm, to 
 which, during fifty years knowledge of the sea, he 
 had never seen any equal in fiercei;ess aiid horror, 
 he had found it necessary to bear away with his 
 shattered ships to Cape Metafuz. lie advised the 
 emperor, as the face of the sky was still lowering 
 and tempestuous, to march with all speed lo that 
 place, where the troops could re embark with 
 greater ease. 
 
 Whatever comfort tliis intelligence afforded
 
 History oj Algiers. 245 
 
 Charles, from being assured that part of his fleet 
 had escaped, was bahuiced by the new cares and 
 perplexity in which it involved him with rejj^ard to 
 his arn)y. Metafnz was at least three days march 
 from his present camp ; all the provisions which 
 he had brouj^lit ashore at his first landing were 
 now consumed; his soldiers, worn out with ftitigue, 
 were hardly able for such a march, even in a friend- 
 ly country; and being dispirited by a succession of 
 hardships, which victory itself would scarcely have 
 rendered tolerable, they were in no condition to 
 undergo new toils. But the situation of the army 
 was such, as allowed not one moment for delibera- 
 tion, ni>r left it in the least doubtful what to choose. 
 They were ordered instantly to march, the wound- 
 ed, the sick, and the feeble, being placed in the 
 centre; such as seemed most vigorous were sta- 
 tioned in the front and rear. Then the sad effects 
 of what ihey had suffered began to appear more 
 manifestly than ever, and new calamities were added 
 to all those which they had already endured. Some 
 could hardly l)ear the weight of their arms ; others, 
 spent wiih the toil of forcing their way through 
 deep and almost impassable roads, sunk down and 
 died ; many perished by famine, as the whole army 
 subsisted chiefly on roots and berries, or the flesh 
 of horses, killed by the emperor's order, and dis- 
 tributed among the several battalions ; many were 
 drowned in brooks, which were swollen so much 
 by the excessive rains, that in passing then) they 
 waded up to the chin ; not a few were killed by the 
 enemy, who, during the greatest part of their re- 
 treat, alarmed, harassed, and annoyed them night 
 and day. At last they arrived at Metafuz and
 
 246 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 the weather being now so calm as to restore their 
 commimication with the fleet, they were supplied 
 ^vith plenty of provisions, and cheered with the 
 prospect of safely. 
 
 During this dreadful series of calamities, the 
 emperor discovered great qualities, many of which 
 a long continued flow of prosperity had scarcely 
 afforded him an opportunity of displaying. He 
 appeared conspicuous for firmness and constancy 
 of spirit, for magnanimity, fortitude, humanity, and 
 compa>^sion. He endured as great hardships as 
 the uieanest soldier; he exposed his own person, 
 wherever danger threatened ; he encouraged the 
 desponding; visited the sick and wounded; and 
 animated all by his words and example. When the 
 army embarked, he was among the last who left 
 the shore, although a body of Arabs hovered at no 
 great distance, ready to fall on the rear. By these 
 virtues, Charles atoned in some degree, for his ob- 
 stinacy and presumption in undertaking an expedi- 
 tion so fatal to his subjects. 
 
 The calamities which attended this unfortunate 
 enterprise did not end here ; for no sooner were 
 the forces got on board, than a new storm arising, 
 though less furious than the fornier, scattered the 
 fleet, and obliged them separately, to make towards 
 such ports in Spain or Italy as they could first 
 reach ; thus spreading the account of their disasters, 
 with all the circumstances of aggravation and hor- 
 ror, which their imagination, still under the influ- 
 ence of fear, suggested. The emperor himself, after 
 escaping great dangers, and being forced into the 
 port of Bugia in Africa, where he was obliged by 
 contrary winds to remain several weeks, arrived at
 
 History of Algiers. 247 
 
 last in Spain, in a condition very diflferent from that 
 in which lie had returned from his former expedi- 
 tion against the infidels. 
 
 Hascen, the bashaw of Algiers, after this signal 
 deliverance, undertook an expedition against Muley 
 Hamed, king of Tremecen, who had submitted to 
 Charles V. in order to be restored to his kingdom ; 
 but this prince purchased peace for a large sum of 
 money, and became his tributary. Soon after this 
 Hascen died in the sixty-sixth year of his age. 
 From this time, the various events which have oc- 
 curred in Alpiers, are nothing else than the jealou- 
 sies and intrigues of the principal men, in order to 
 ruin and supplant one another ; consisting of acts 
 of cruelty, depositions, and other catastrophes of 
 a similar nature. If we should attempt to delineate 
 a picture of them, an uninterrupted series of the 
 most horrid acts of tyranny and brutality would be 
 exhibited to view. Nothing would be seen but 
 massacres among the rich and powerful ; wretched- 
 ness and oppression among the poor; with instances 
 innumerable of the most inhuman vengeance and 
 cruelty against the relatives and partisans of the 
 princes assassinated. Confiscations, imprisonment, 
 and persecution, are extremely frequent; and often 
 at the end of a month, and even of a week, the 
 reigning prince has suffered a fate similar to that 
 of his predecessor, and exchanged his throne for a 
 prison or a grave ; insomuch that a new revolution 
 has often brousht back the same scenes of madness 
 and of cruelty. Such, added to the piratical ex- 
 peditions at sea, would form the principal part of 
 the history of each prince's reign. We shall pro- 
 ceed, therefore, to enumerate the principal attempts
 
 248 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 made by the European powers to chastise these in- 
 solent pirates of Algiers. 
 
 After the disastrous attempt ^of Charles V. [the 
 next of any consequence was projected and exe- 
 cuted by one John Gascon, a native of Valentia; 
 which, if it had taken effect, would have occasioned 
 the destruction of all the corsairs, and an infinite 
 deal of mischief. It was no less than to surprise 
 the whole piratic navy in the bay, and set them all 
 on fire in the dead of night. He had obtained not 
 only king Philip II.'s permission, but proper ves- 
 sels, mariners, fire-works, and all other materials ne- 
 cessary for the execution of his plot. 
 
 With these he set sail for Algiers, in the begin- 
 ning of October, when most, if not all the ships, 
 lay at anchor in the harbour, and sailed nearertongh, 
 unsuspected, to reconnoitre every particular with 
 his own eyes. He advanced to the very Mole gate, 
 and dispersed his men with their fire-works; but 
 they were so ill mixed, that they could not with all 
 their art make them take fire. Gascon, by Way of 
 bravado, gave three loud knocks at the Mole-gate 
 with the pommel of his dagger, which he left stick- 
 ing in it as a token of his intrepidity. He had the 
 good fortune lo perform this feat unobserved ; but 
 it was not so with his men, who, finding their en- 
 deavours unsuccessful, beg sn to make such a blis- 
 tle as quickly alarmerl the guard poster! on the ad- 
 jacent bastion; from which the uproar spread itself* 
 through every part of tlie garrison. Gascon finding 
 himself thus fmsi rated, and in the utmost danger, 
 had no other way left but to ply liis oars and sails, 
 and gel away witlj all possible haste. 
 
 By this lime the bashaw, being apprised of the
 
 History of Algiers. 249 
 
 design, ordered four of his be-t 2:allies to go ia 
 pursuit of the Spaniard. The briiiantine^! Iiad made 
 such speed in their relreat, that they U'>n\\i\ them- 
 selves twenty leniines otf ; and tliinkini; theinsidves 
 now past all damper, beiian to slacken their oars, 
 and take some rest. They had not h)ng enjoyed 
 this respite, before that in which Gascon was, per- 
 ceived one of the four galliots above mentioned 
 makin^jf all the sail they could after tiiem, and gain- 
 ing on them every minute; so that they were again 
 forced to ply their oars with the utinost vigour ; but 
 notwithstanding all their efforts, they were over- 
 taken and forced to surrender. 
 
 The captain who commanded the galliot was a 
 Greek renegado, named Delia Uais, who was no 
 sooner apprised that Gascon, the captain and con- 
 triver of that design, was in his possession, than he 
 immediately tacked about for Algiers, without 
 troubling himself farther about the rest, rightly 
 judging that he had got the prize which was most 
 agreeable to Mahamed bashaw. Accordingly, as 
 soon as he was delivered up into his hands, iMaha- 
 med ordered a gibbet of considerable height to be 
 erected on the spot where he landed, on which he 
 was hoisted, and hung by the feet, that he nn'ght 
 die in the most exquisite torture; and to shew his 
 resentment and contempt of the king his master, he 
 ordered his commission to be fastened to his toes. 
 
 The sentence was punctually executed, and the 
 bashaw's severity highly applauded by the exaspe- 
 rated Turks, whilst the prisoner t)«>re this dreadful 
 punishment with the patience and constancy of a 
 martyr. He had not howe\;3er hung long in that ex- 
 criaciating misery, when Delia Rais, the renegado 
 
 7 K K
 
 250 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 captain, who had taken him, came at the head of 
 a number of other corsair captains to Mahamed 
 bashaw, and in the strongest terms, represented to 
 him the injustice and cruelty of condemning pri- 
 soners of war to such dreadful punishments, alleg- 
 ing that it was the ready way to provoke the Spa- 
 niards, and other enemies, to make the same repri- 
 sals ; so that it might be one day their fate to be 
 treated in the same inhuman manner, unless he 
 immediately ordered his prisoner to be taken down. 
 They added, that the stratagem which he had con- 
 trived wa« no more than what one nation had a right 
 to practise against another, with which they were at 
 war, and what they themselves would gladly try 
 against any enemy, were it in their power. They 
 at length prevailed on the bashaw to comply with 
 their request ; and Gascon was not only taken 
 down, but conveyed into the royal bagnio, where he 
 was carefully attended by some Christian surgeons, 
 and visited out of curiosity by people of all sorts 
 and persuasions; but it was not it seems his fate to 
 escape so well. 
 
 Great murmurings arose among the people, which 
 made the bashaw repent of his lenity : some Moors 
 pretending to be just arrived from Spain, affirmed 
 that it was the common talk and belief there, that 
 the Algerines dared not hurt a hair of Gascon's 
 head, lest their armada should come and blow their 
 town into the bottom of the sea. The too credu- 
 lous minister was so exasperated at this report, that 
 he ordered the unhappy Valentian to be hoisted up 
 by a pulley to the top of the execution wall, and let 
 down again upon the chingham or hook ; which in his 
 fall, luckily took hold of him by the belly, and gave
 
 History of Algiers, 251 
 
 him such a mortal wound, that he expired without 
 the least groan : nor did the l)ashaw's resentment 
 stop there ; for he ordered the body to hanu: in ter- 
 rorem, as it actually did, till heiii^ partly wasted, 
 some slaves ventured to take it down in the night, 
 and biiried it privately in the Christian cemetery, 
 without the western gate. Thus ended the ill-timed 
 project of the unfortunate John Gascon, which yet 
 hath procured him a place among the Spanish 
 martyrs. 
 
 After an attack in 1601 by the Spaniards, and in 
 1617 by the French; in 1620 the English sent an 
 expedition against them, under the ccnnniand of Sir 
 Robert Mansell ; but it turned out so defective in 
 its operation, as to leave no impression on the mind 
 of the Algerines except a stronger feeling of their 
 own importance, and a determination to plunder the 
 vessels of every nation, setting the whole of them 
 at defiance. In 1635, the daring obstinacy of these 
 nautical intruders operated so strongly on the minds 
 of some spirited young men in France, as to pro- 
 duce very whimsical effects. Four brothers, de- 
 scended from a respectal)le family, undertook to 
 chastise the insolence of the pirates by reprisal ; 
 they fitted out a frigate of ten guns, which they 
 manned with one hundred volunteers, young men 
 possessed by their own Qiiixotic spirit, and ihirty- 
 six seaiuen. Their first exploit was the taking an 
 Algerine coaster, laden with wine ; by which they 
 were so elated, as to attempt two large Algerines 
 well manned, one of twenty and the other of twenty- 
 four guns. The Algerines however poured a most 
 destructive fire upon them, which was sustained 
 with great courage, when some other Algerines
 
 252 PICTURE OF BARCARY. 
 
 came up, and the Frenchmen were compelled to 
 surrender, the crew being carried into hard cap- 
 tivity; from which they couhl only he redeemed by 
 a heavy ransom after five years. 
 
 A French fleet, in the year 1652, was driven by 
 stress of weather to Algiers ; and wlulst there the 
 admiral thought proper to demand the release of 
 every Frenchman confined tliere, which being re- 
 fused, he immediately seized the Turkish' Viceroy 
 and his Cadi, with their whole retinue. This so 
 exasperated tlte Algerines, that tliey instantly be- 
 seiged ihe Basiiou of France, a fort on their coasts 
 Avhich had btew ( rected by Louis Xlll. and made 
 six himdred ))ris()iiers. 
 
 In tile \ear 1055,. the brave Admiral Blake paid 
 a visit to Algiers, and conjpelled the Dey to renew 
 the treaty with England, and to desist from all vio- 
 lence towards the English; after which he present- 
 ed himself before Tunis, and having there made the 
 same demands, the sovereign of that republic bade 
 liim look to the castles of Porto Forina and Goletta, 
 and do his utniost. Blake needed not to be roused 
 by such a bravado ; he drew his ships close up to 
 the castles, and tore ihen-j in pieces with his artil- 
 lery; he sent a numerous detachment of sailors in 
 their long boats into the harbour, and burned every 
 ship which lay there. 
 
 This bold action, which its very temerity, per- 
 haps, rendered safe, was exemted with little loss, 
 and tilled all that part of the world with the re- 
 nown of English valour. The Akerines long re- 
 sented the ill-advised, as well as unsuccessful at- 
 tempt which Admiral Mansel made on their capital 
 and navy ; from which time they hardly ever ceased
 
 History of Algiers. ^/iS 
 
 annoying' the English at sea, and wreaking Iheir 
 revenge on as nmny of their vessels as fell into their 
 hands. It was not till toward the latter end of the 
 reign of Kin^; Charles II. that tiie British nation ob- 
 tained from them that laslini]: alliance, which with 
 some renewals, additions, and alterations, hath sub- 
 sisted to this day. 
 
 They had for some time committed snch out- 
 rages on the coasts of Provence and Laiiiiuedoc, 
 that Louis XIV. had ordered a considerai)le fleet 
 to be tilted out, in order to suppress and crush 
 them, and revive the commerce which their depre- 
 dations at sea, in coujnction with the corsairs of 
 Tripoli, had in a great ujeasure destroyed. 
 
 The marcjui-s Du Quesne, vice-admiral of France, 
 "whose name had already become formidahle to all 
 the piratical states, was at the head of this expedi- 
 tion, and began it by giviuii chace to several Tri- 
 politan gal lies, who had the good fortune to out- 
 row him, and shelter themselves in the island of 
 Scio, which belonged to the Turks ; yet this con- 
 sideration did not pieventhitn pursuing them thither, 
 and making such terrible tire upon them, as quickly 
 shattered and sunk fourteen of their vessels, be- 
 sides battering the walls and other works of the 
 castle. 
 
 He oidy intended to intimidate, and not fall out 
 with, the Algerines ; but wh . i he found that they 
 still continued their outrages on the French coasts^ 
 he sailed ui the UK.'Uth of August of the following 
 year to their ca])ital, which he bombarded and can- 
 nonaded with such fury, that in a little time the 
 whole town was in flames. The great mosque was
 
 254 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 batterer! down, and the greatest part of the houses 
 reduced to a heap of ruins; insomurli, that the af- 
 frighted iuhnbifants were on the point of aban- 
 donino; the place; when on a sudden, the wind 
 chopped about, and ol)liged him to return to Tou- 
 lon. As soon as the storm w^as over, the douwaii 
 assemliled iu a luumltuous manner, and immedi- 
 ately ordered as many of their p,aliies and i^alliots 
 as couhl he got ready, in spite of the rougliness of 
 the sea. to sail forthwith for the roasts of Provence; 
 where they committed the most (h'eadful ravages, 
 killing, burning, and destroying all that came in 
 their way, and brought off a vast number of cap- 
 tives. As soon as the news of this fresh insult ar- 
 rived at the French court, a new armament was or- 
 dered to be got ready with all expedition, at Toulon 
 and Marseilles, of which the Algerines having got 
 timely notice, the douwau inimediately ordered the 
 walls of the town and other fortifications to be re- 
 paired, and the mole and haven to be put into the 
 best state of defence, that the shortness of the time 
 would allow. 
 
 in May following the French squadron cast an- 
 chor before Algiers ; where the Vice-admiral Da 
 Quesne was joined by the Marquis D'AflVanville, at 
 the head of five other stout vessels ; upon whose 
 arrival, a council being called, they resolved to 
 bonibard the town the r.ext morning. Accordingly a 
 hundred bombs were thrown into it on that day, 
 which made terrible execution, whilst the besieged 
 plyed their cannon against them, without doing 
 them any considerable damage. Next night bombs 
 were again thrown into it in such number, that the 
 
 fH
 
 History of Algiers. 255 
 
 Dey's jDalace, and other great edifices, were almost 
 destroyed ; some of their batteries were dismounted, 
 and several vessels sunk iu the port. 
 
 This dreadful havoc quickly determined Has- 
 cen, the Dey, and the whole soldiery, as well as the 
 Turkish bashaw, to sue for peace ; upon which, 
 father Vacher, who acted then at Algiers in quality 
 of French consul, was immediately dispatched to 
 the French admiral, and with him a Turkish dele- 
 gate, with the latter of whom the Admiral readily 
 treated, but refused to admit the former. In this 
 conference the Marquis insisted upon an immediate 
 surrender of all Christian captives, that had been 
 taken fighting under the French flag, which de- 
 mand was readily granted. One hundred and forty- 
 two of them were brought to him the next day, 
 •with a promise of sending him the remainder, as 
 soon as they could be got togetlier from the differ- 
 ent parts of the country, whither they were dis- 
 persed ; a promise which being accordingly per- 
 formed, he consented to treat with them about a 
 peace. 
 
 He sent a few days after, the commissary-gene- 
 ral of his squadron, and one of his engineers into 
 the town ; but with express orders to insist upon 
 the delivery of all the rest of their French captives, 
 none excepted, and of all the effects they had taken 
 from the French, and upon their sending him the 
 famed Mezomorto, their admiral, and Hali Rais, 
 one of their captains, as hostages. 
 
 This last demand failed not to embarrass the 
 Dey, who proposed it to the douwan. Mezomorto 
 fell into a violent passion, and told that assembly, 
 that the cowardice of those that sat at the helm had
 
 25(j PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 occasioned the ruin of Algiers ; but that, for his 
 part, he never would consent to deliver np.any 
 thin2: tiiat had been taken from the French. He went 
 immediately from thence to the soldiery, whom he 
 acquainted with what had passed, and so exaspe- 
 rated theuj against the Dey, that they unanimously 
 resolved to murde;- him; a resolution which they 
 executed that very night, as he was going his 
 round. 
 
 Next day Mezomorto caused himself to be elect- 
 ed Dey by the soldiery and people ; then cancelled 
 all the articles of peace that had been agreed on, 
 and ordered the bloody standard to be displayed on 
 the city walls. The hostilities were now renewed 
 with greater fury than ever on both sides. The 
 French adniiral kept pouring in such vollies of 
 bombs, that in less than three days, the greater part 
 of the city was reduced to ashes; and the fire 
 burned vvith such vehemence, that the sea was en- 
 b'ghtened with it above two leag-^ues. Mezomorto^ 
 unmoved at all these disasters, and the vast num- 
 ber of the slain, whose blood ran in rivulets along 
 the streets, or rather grown furious and desperate, 
 sought only how to wreak his revenge on the enemy. 
 Not satisfied with causing all the French that were 
 in the city to be cruelly butchered, he ordered their 
 consul to be fastened alive to the mouth of a mortar, 
 and sliot against their navy, instead of a bomb. 
 
 This unheard of piece of inhumanity so exaspe- 
 rated the French admiral, that, the winds proving 
 still favourable to him, he did not leave Algiers till 
 he had utterly destroyed all their shipping, fortifi- 
 cations, buildings, and in one word, almost all the 
 lower part, and above two thirds of the upper parts
 
 History of Algiers. 257 
 
 of the city. He had no sooner taken his departure, 
 than the Aljii^erines be^an to think seriously on the 
 most ettW-inal means for procnrin;^ a peace with 
 Franrt'. This niolion was quite disrelished by Me- 
 zoniorlo; who, to avoid his predecessor's fate, dis- 
 appeared on a sudden. Tiie rest of the douwan 
 unanimously agreed to send an embassy to Paris, 
 to excuse and beg- pardon, among other things, for 
 the u)ur<ler of the consul, which they all disavow- 
 ed, declaring thai tiie populace alone were the 
 authors of that atrocious deed. Of this < ommission 
 their envoy, Hagi GiafJer Ai^a Effendi, acquitted 
 himself n\ the best manner he could, as may be seen 
 by the foHowiug celebrated speech he made to that 
 monarch on his last audience : 
 
 " Most high, most excellent, most powerful, magnanimous, 
 and invincil)le Louin XIV. emperor of the French, whom 
 God preserve and make happy. I prostrate myself at the 
 foot of thy sublime imperial tlirune, as the messenger of the 
 joy with which our republic, and the dey my ntaster, have 
 concluded a peace with thy lieutenant; and of their impa- 
 tient desire, that thy sublime majesty will be pleased to put 
 thy ratifying seal to it. The force of thy ever victorious 
 arms, ami ilie strength of thy sword, have n»ade them sensi* 
 ble of the tault which Baba Hassan committed, iu declaring 
 war against thy subjects. 1 am deputed hitlier to beg thy 
 pardon for it, and to assure thee, in the sincerest terms, that 
 henceibrth our conduct shall be such as may deserve the 
 friendship of the greatest emperor of the disciples of Jesus^ 
 and the oidy one we stand in dread af. 
 
 " The atiocious violence conunitfed against the person of 
 thy consul is such, as we should jndge, would prove an in- 
 rincible obstacle to a peace, if thy light, which like that of 
 the sun, penetrates all things, did not easily conceive, how 
 far an enraged and ungovernable populace can carry their 
 
 7 L L
 
 2.5iJ PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 furious resentment, in the niiJst of multitudes of their fel- 
 loiA -citizens crushed in pieces by thy bombs ; of which num- 
 ber they behebl iheir parents, brethren, and children, de- 
 prived either ol bfe, etiects, or liberty. 
 
 '• But whatever their motives were, the violence ue are 
 far fiom excusini> (»r extenuatino. I come to beo ot thee to 
 turn for ever away thy sacred eyes, from beholding a deed 
 detested by all good men among us, especially those in 
 power; wlio cannol therefore be justly charged with it. 
 
 " We hope, mighty emperor, great as Gemsehid, opulent 
 as Kraour, magnificent as Solyman, and magnanimous as 
 Akemptas, that thy clemency will not reject these our 
 earnest prayers; and the high opinion Ave have ot" thy un- 
 paralleled generosit}, gives us a kind of assurance that thou 
 wilt oi<ler all our brethren who wear thy chains, to le set at 
 liberty, as we ourselves have done, not only to thy subjects, 
 but likewise to those who were under the shadow of thy 
 august name; that tin- joy for this peace uiay become equal 
 iind universal ; and ilr-it a nuich greater number of mouths 
 may be thereby opened to celebrate thy praise. That when 
 thy subjects return to their country, they n»ay thankfully 
 come and throw themselves at thy feet, while our's proclaim 
 thy praise throughout the vast countries of Africa, and im- 
 print in their chiMren a veneration for thy incomparable 
 virtues, and a due regard for the French nation, 
 
 '^ This will prove the happy foundation of an eternal 
 peace; of which we promise an exact and religious observ- 
 nnce on our part in all its articles ; not doubting but it will 
 be equally observed by thy subjects, from whom ihy autho- 
 rity claims an unlimited obedience. 
 
 " May the almighty and gracious Creator give a blessino- 
 upon this peace, and maintain a perpetual union betMeen 
 the most high, most excellent, and most magnanimous em- 
 peror of the Fie ch, and the most illustrious and magnificent 
 bashaw, dey, douwan, and the victotious armies of the repub- 
 lic of Algiers.". 
 
 The result of this submission was the ratification
 
 History of Algiers. 259 
 
 t)f the peace at Paris, in the course of the following 
 year. The joy which reigned in Algiers at the 
 conclusion of this peace witli France was so much 
 the greater, because hitherto the Grand Seignior 
 being at j>eace with France, was obliged, at least 
 outwardly, to resent the outrages they \\m\ eoni- 
 mitted upon his coasts, and co«dd not give them 
 any assistance towards repairirm,- their city and 
 navy, without offending that monarch. But being 
 now at full liberty to do as he pleased, it was his , 
 interest to send them what succour they needed, 
 not only on account of the service they could do 
 bim against other Ciiristian powers, but likewise 
 with a view to bind them more strictly to their obe- 
 dience, a!ul raise the authority of his bashaws to its 
 original heigijt. 
 
 Accordingly, tlie Porte took care from that time 
 to send them strenuous viceroys, with such exten- 
 isive powers as should make them deserve the sup- 
 plies they received. Whilst on their side, the A.1- 
 gerines failed not to express the most submissive 
 regard to them, till they found thems(!]ves so well 
 recovered from their late disasters, as to be able to 
 fesume their former spirit of independence. 
 
 It is no wonder, therefore, that they showed un- 
 usual readiness to enter into an alliance with tiie 
 English at such a crisis, or that the English Admi- 
 ral should obtain such advantageous terms from 
 them, at a juncture when they stood in need of that 
 nation's friendship and assistance. 
 
 This treaty, which have been the ground-work of 
 all those that have since been made with thera, 
 was renewed in the second year of King James II.'s 
 reign, hy Sir William Soam, in his way4o Constan-
 
 J60 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 tinople, whither he was sent as ambassador. The 
 same may be said of that which was renewed be-' 
 tween Chnabai) Chojiah, then Dey of Algiers, and 
 Sir Thomas Baker, five years after, in the second 
 year of King William's reign. 
 
 But all this while it must not be supposed that 
 the Algerines, especially the rais, or captains of 
 their corsairs, were such strict observers of those 
 treaties, as to let any English ships escape, when- 
 ever they could conveniently make a prize; for 
 which they never wanted an excuse or pretence, 
 whenever a complaint was made to their regency. 
 Nor was it easy to obtain restitution or redress from 
 the Deys or douwan, whose interest it was to en- 
 courage those piratical practices. The only re- 
 medy was making reprisals upon them; and it was 
 upon some such infringement of it, that captain 
 Beach, about nine years after the latter renewal of 
 that treaty, attacked seven of their frigates, which 
 he drove on shore, and burnt. The result of which 
 action was a new revival of the peace with that re- 
 public. As for Mustapha, the then Dey, he conti- 
 nued still a friend to the English nation; and re- 
 newed the old treaty with Sir George Byng, after- 
 wards Lord Torrington, in the year 1703. 
 
 But it was not till after the taking of Gibraltar 
 and Port Mahon, by Sir George Rooke, that Great 
 Britain could have a sufficient check upon them to 
 oblige them to the observation of those articles. In 
 the year 1 708, they had the good fortune to retake 
 from the Spaniards the city of Oran, or Aoran, 
 which had long been a thorn in their sides. This 
 conquest was so important, that they immediately 
 made it the residence of the western Bey, who bad
 
 History of Algiers. 261 
 
 Used to reside at Tremecen, with a little army of 
 Cologlies, and Moors, besides a strong garrison. 
 They were at great pains to strengthen Oran with 
 new fortifications; but notwithstanding all these 
 precautions, it was retaken in the year I7.J7, and 
 the Spaniards retained it, in spite of all the endea- 
 vours of the Dey to wrest it out of their hands* 
 
 •About this time (1710) a circumstance occurred, which wiil 
 show the reader with how little ceremony an English Consul has 
 been treated by these ferocious Algerines : the punishment, however, 
 for this offence was terrible. — " In the fourth jear of Hali's reigo, 
 Mr. Thomas Thompson, the English consul at Algierb, going to 
 the hall, where the captains of ships usually meet, was insulted by 
 a young Moor, who jostled him on the mole, which is very narroir, 
 instead of giving him the way ; and upon his being asked, whether 
 he intended to shove him over it, answered with great insolence, that 
 no dog of a Christian was above him: then he gave him a box on 
 the ear ; and throwing him upon his back, clapped his knee furi- 
 ously upon his breast: the captain of the port happening to be in 
 sight, called out to him ; upon which he fled, whilst the captain 
 helped the consul up, and led him to the assembly of the sea officers. 
 The admiral being apprized of what had happened, expressed bit 
 concern at the insult, and went fortlnviili, and complained of it to 
 the Dfy in the strongest terms; but having a regard for the young 
 offender, whose father was a noted merchant, he endeavoured to 
 extenuate the fault, and begged that he might not be punished with 
 death. The Dey, though he promised to spare him so far, yet in- 
 sisted that some punishment should be inflicted on him for the satis- 
 faction of the consul. 
 
 "A bastinado being agreed on between them, Mr. Thompson WM 
 sent for to see justice done on the offender ; and the young Moor 
 was brought in by the grand provost, t» whom ihf Dey sternly said, 
 " Villain, what hast thou done *" the young Moi.r, with little or no 
 concern, answered, "What have I done! I lt.ive only beaten a 
 Christian dog for taking the wall of me, and giving me abusive lan- 
 guage." The Dey, in a passion, asking, whether it was true tJiat 
 he had treated the English consul in the shameful manner com-
 
 262 PICTURE OF BAttBARY. 
 
 The Spanish monarch, in the year 1775, deter- 
 mined to chastise ihe arrogance of the corsairs tho^ 
 roughly ; and for this purpose made such extensive 
 preparatKMis as even to create some alarm respect- 
 ing tlieir final destination. Whilst on the other 
 hand, the Dey of Algiers left no means of defence 
 unattended to. The whole Spanish force was at 
 length assembled at Carlhagena, consisting of seven 
 sail of the line of seventy-four guns, and eight of 
 forty guns, thirty-two frigates of various sizes, and 
 about twenty smaller vessels, four hundred trans- 
 ports, and about nineteen thousand seamen. The 
 land force embarked consisted of twenty-two thou- 
 sand infantry and four thousand cavalry, four hun- 
 dred pieces of artillery, and two thousand engineers, 
 with abundant stores and ammunition ; a force ap- 
 parently sufficient to overwhelm the whole African 
 continent. 
 
 This fleet was detained by contrary weather for 
 near thirty days ; and at length approaching Al- 
 giers, found every preparation made for determined 
 resistance. Having attacked the forts, from which 
 they suffered greatly, they succeeded in landing 
 
 plained of? he as impudently replied in the affirmative, and asked 
 him, whether that was all he was brought before him for? at which 
 the Dey uas so exasperated, that he condemned him to receive two 
 tbousand two hundred bastinadoes, which were accordiogly given in 
 presence of the consul. 
 
 "The first thousand strokes lacerated the soles of his feet in such 
 a manner, that if a greater number had been given, he must have 
 died on the spot ; he was therefore remanded to prison until the 
 morrow, when lit received the remaining twelve hundred strokes on 
 his posteriors, which deprived him of his speech and senses. In 
 this condition he was left to expire."
 
 History of Algiers. 26 J 
 
 about eight thousand men at four o'clock in the 
 morning, which were soon foliowecl by llie re- 
 main(]er of the army, who found tlie hills covered 
 with Moors eagerly desirous of engaging them. A 
 sangninary contest almost immediately ensued, in 
 consequence of the bitter hatred which exists be- 
 tween tlie Spaniards and the Moors, notwithstand- 
 ing the Spanish conuuander had strictly forbidden 
 his troops to advance, intending fi-sl to have secured 
 the hill tor some works, and a couununication with 
 the fleet. 
 
 The turbulence of passion, however, had now 
 leaped over all restraints, and the tremendous and 
 disorderly fray which ensued, continued with the 
 most horrible confusion and bloodshed for thirteen 
 hours, when the Spaniards were compelled to re- 
 tire, and notwithstanding their extreme fatigue, to 
 take advantage of the night for re-embarking. Thus 
 terminated, by an intemperate fury, an expedition 
 which, if it had been wisely conducted, might have 
 obtained for Spain the honours of a victory which 
 could not but have been highly satisfactory to most 
 of the powers in Europe. The failure of this at- 
 tempt, whilst it wounded the national pride, cost 
 the Spaniards eight hundred killed and two thou- 
 sand wounded, among whom were many of their 
 best officers. 
 
 Spain however, eight years afterwards, having 
 got disengaged from her war with England, began 
 to meditate the retrieving her honour in a new at- 
 tempt for the conquest of Algiers. The marine 
 force intended for this service was considerable, 
 and from its nature extremely numerous ; no dispo- 
 sition, however, appeared to hazard another army
 
 2(54 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 upon thai inauspicious coast ; the present design 
 being entirely confined to a severe bombardment 
 and cannonade by sea. 
 
 The conduct of this cnterprize was committed to 
 Don Antonio Barceh); who after a formal display 
 of son)e pious or religious ceremonials, intended to 
 obtain a blessing upon the Christian arms in their 
 conHict with infidels, proceeded with his armament 
 from Carthagena, on the 2nd of July, 1783. Through 
 an unfortunate disposition of the winds and wea- 
 ther, the fleet notwithstanding the shortness of the 
 |)assage, was detained for twenty-seven days at sea; 
 a circumstance which, besides the loss of a month 
 pecuJirirly chosen as favourable to the design, could 
 not but be exceedingly untoward in many respects, 
 encumbered as he was with a multitude of small 
 vessels, and these crowded with them, and over- 
 layed with artillery. The fleet did not arrive in the 
 bay of Algiers until the 29th of July ; and the sea 
 was tl^en loo rough to admit of immediate action. 
 The Algerines were well prepared for his recep- 
 tion ; and discovered every indication of a bold and 
 most determined enemy. 
 
 On the 1st of August the admiral formed his line 
 of battle, and made the necessary dispositions for 
 an attack ; eighteen bomb-ketches, with thirteen 
 gun-boais on their wings, composed the van ; these 
 were supported by a line of xebecks, bilanders, and 
 other vessels of war, njostly peculiar to the Medi- 
 terranean ; and these again intermixed w ith, or at- 
 tended by, a number of boarding-boats strongly 
 manned, and some small fire-vessels, to prevent the 
 approach of the Algerine gallies to the battering 
 vessels ; the whole being covered by the ships of
 
 tiislory of Algien. 265 
 
 Ihe line and frigates of war. The cannonade and 
 bombardment were coMimenced at lialf (>:ist two 
 o'clock, and were contitjued without intermission 
 until sunset : three hundred and eighly shells were 
 thrown in that time, and about an equal nuudier of 
 shot sent; the tire being fiercely returned by the 
 Algerine batteries through the whole time, with 
 near eleven hundred cannon-shoi, and about thirty 
 bomhs. 
 
 The attack was renewed on the following, and on 
 every succeeding day, except one, until the 9th of 
 the month. On that morning a council of war be- 
 ing held by the admiral, the exhausture of ammu- 
 nition, and the growing lateness and danger of the 
 season, were found sufficient reasons for an imme- 
 diate return to Spain. In the course of these at- 
 tackSi which were not unfrequently repeated on the 
 same day, three thousand seven hundred and thirty- 
 two bombs, and three thousand eight hundred and 
 thirty-three cannot-shot, were dischariied l»y the 
 fleet against the town ; and these were returned by 
 the Algerines, with three hundred and nijiety-nine 
 shells, and eleven thousand two hundred ami eighty- 
 four cannon-shot. 
 
 This vast expenditure of ammunition produced 
 no correspondent effect on either side ; the town 
 was indeed repeatedly set on fire, but the mea- 
 sures of preservation were so well adapted, and so 
 vigorously pursued, that the tiames were soon sub- 
 dued. The Algerines made several bold sallies 
 with their gallies and small vessels upon the Spa- 
 nish battering line; but the superiority of fire on 
 that side was so great, and it played from such 
 
 y M.M
 
 266 PICTURE OF BARBARY, 
 
 ▼arious directions, that they were constantly re- 
 pulsed. 
 
 From this time to the signal chastisement given 
 to Algiers by Lord Exmouth, a narrative of which 
 will be found in our next chapter, the separate 
 views and occupations of the different powers have 
 induced them to tolerate the conduct of these pi- 
 rates, in consequence of their partial observance of 
 certain treaties. 
 
 Of the recent history of Algiers little is known, 
 except from the statements of the American cap- 
 tives, who were contined there from 1793 to 1795. 
 At that time the Dey was aTurki^^h soldier, named 
 Hassan, about fifty years of age. Having insinuated 
 himself into the favour of the reigning monarch, he 
 gradually rose through the different offices to that of 
 prime minister. The old Dey dying, CedelH, a 
 Greek, and a creature of Hassan, urged, and even 
 ostensibly compelled him to assume the sovereignty. 
 He prevailed ; and another candidate who started 
 up, was put to death by the bowstring. Several 
 changes have taken place since, and i\\e present Dey 
 is said to have come into power within the last 
 twelve months. The divan, or douvvan, it apf>ears 
 have lost almost entirely the influence which they 
 once possessed, and do little more than sanction 
 the measures determined on by the Dey. 
 
 History of Tunis. 
 
 This country was scarcely recovered from its 
 subjection to the Romans and northern Vandals, 
 w hen, w ith the rest of Barbary, it was once more 
 reduced under the power of the Saracens, who go-
 
 History of Tunis. ^67 
 
 Verned it by viceroys, and established that form of 
 administration, which continued almost five hun- 
 dred years. One of these revolting:, made himself 
 master of Tunis, assumed the title of king of Africa; 
 and from that period the capital of this kingdom vied 
 with the most splendid cities on this continent. At 
 length Hascen, an Arabian prince, besieged this 
 metropolis, took it, and afterwards subdued the 
 whole kingdom. He had not been long settled on 
 the throne, and declared successor to the former 
 monarch, before Mamon, his elder brother, who was 
 kept a prisoner, made some strenuous efforts to re- 
 gain his liberty, and claim his right to the crown. 
 Mamon, however, was discovered before he effect- 
 ed his escape, and put to death; but a younger 
 brother naujed Arashid, fled to Buchara in Numi> 
 dia, wiiere he was kindly received. Having raised 
 an army of Arabs, he attacked and defeatad Hascen, 
 whom he compelled to take refuge in the city of 
 Tunis; but not having a sufficient train of artillery, 
 he could not undertake the siege of the town. 
 Arashid therefore having set fire to the suburbs, re- 
 treated with his troops, and implored the assistance 
 of Barbarossa. 
 
 The latter promised to comply with his request, 
 and conducted him to Ccmstantinople, under prei- 
 tence of procuring farther aid for him from the 
 Porte ; and it is not to be doubted but he would 
 have obtained a numerous and powerful body of 
 forces, had not Barbarossa traitorously insinuated, 
 that if the troops destined for the prince, whom lie 
 affected to befriend, were placed under his com- 
 mand, as soon as he should make himself master of 
 Tunis, he would render homage to the grand seig-
 
 268 PICTWRE OF BARBARY. 
 
 nior, aud hold the reins of government in that king- 
 dom as his deputy and representative. "^Phis pro- 
 posal was too datferinj; to be rejected l»y t'lt' em- 
 peror, who sent Barharossa with a slroiii; annanient 
 against Tunis, and detained the unfortunate Arashid 
 prisoner at Constantinople. The fleet no sooner 
 appeared on the Barhary coast, than Hasren, who 
 apprehrnded tliat the Tunisians would revtdt against 
 him, retired with some Arabs to a fortitied castle. 
 In the n>ean time, the city was full of tumult, and 
 the inhabitants were extremely desirous of a 
 chan!j:e ; the reigning prince having becouie detest" 
 able to his subjects by his cruelty and oppression. 
 This being reported to Hascen, he fled from the 
 castle in which he had taken refuge, and left the 
 city. 
 
 The governor and principal persons of the place, 
 not doubting but that Arashid, the king's brother, 
 ^vas on board of the Turkish armament, according 
 to the assertions of Barbarossa, opened the gates of 
 the city, and assured the commander of tlie troops, 
 that the capital was entirely at his disposal. Bar- 
 harossa therefore entered Timis, at the head of nine 
 thousand Turks, and was received with the loud 
 and repeated acclan)ations of the people: but their 
 surprise and indignation were extreme, when they 
 heard him mention only the grand seignior and 
 himself, and understood that the prince they so 
 much (le-ired was detained a prisoner at Constanti- 
 nople, rii" y immediately assembled in arms, and 
 attacked the Turkish forcres ; but were soon disH 
 persed by a gei eral discharge of musketry, and 
 compelled to acknowledge Solynian as their sove^ 
 reign, and Barbarossa as his viceroy.
 
 History of TwUs. 26J^ 
 
 In the mean time, the fugitive Hascen sought re- 
 fuge among theiVrahs, and requested the assistance 
 of the Emperor Charles V. who complied with his 
 solicitiiiions, and sailed with a very numerous and 
 powerful armament to the coast of Africa. Having 
 landed his forces without opposition in the l<^irito- 
 ries of Tunis, he attacked and took a strong fortifi- 
 cation erected near the sea-side, which was defend- 
 ed with seven thousand troops, provided with am- 
 munition, arms, and every necessary for sustaining 
 a protracted siege. Barbarossa, sensible that the 
 loss of Goletta and of his fleet would be followed 
 by t!)at of Tunis, unless he should be able to dis- 
 appoint the designs of the enemy by attacking and 
 defeating their troops before they reached the capi- 
 tal, resolved to hazard an engagement. He there- 
 fore convened an assembly of his Turkish «»fficers, 
 whom he acquainted with the imminent danger of 
 himself and his followers, as well from the Christian 
 army, as from the Arabs and Tunisians, that h-^ 
 knew were extremely disaffected to the present 
 government. Upon which it was resolved to leave 
 the city early next morning, and to tight the empe- 
 ror. Accordingly the forces under Barbarossa 
 marched about three miles from Tunis, and eiir 
 camped on a plain called Cazar Mexevi, abounding 
 with springs of fresh water, where the general dis- 
 posed his army in battle array, aud waited the ap- 
 proach of the enemy. An engagement ensued, in 
 which the Christians were victorious, and the Turks 
 fled with precipitation into the city. Bajbarossa 
 left the capital soon after, and narrowly escaped 
 falling into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 The Spanish monarch bekw^ now master of Tuni».
 
 •210 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 re-established Hascen on the throne, on condition 
 that he should become tributary to him, and deliver 
 up his son Mahomet, with ><t veral officers of his 
 court, as hostaojes of his va^^salajj^e. To these terms 
 Hascr^n acceded ; but beconiino- more odious to the 
 Tunisians, on account of the cruelties practised by 
 the Spaniar<ls, and his being subject and tributary 
 to a Christian prince, in a little time he was under 
 the necessity of again leaving liis kingdom, and 
 seeking assistance from Charles. But whilst he 
 was ill Sicily, consulting with the viceroy of that 
 monarch on the most effectual means of suppress- 
 ing the disorders in his kingdom, a more powerful 
 and (lans»erous enemy than Barbarossa was raised 
 up against him. Thi^ was Hascen's eldest son, 
 named Muley Hamida, who, at the instigation of a 
 favourite called ;Vlahmed, took the most effectual 
 means of dethroning his father during his absence. 
 He propagated the report, that his father had been 
 converted lo Christianity, and that he had been 
 taken b\ the Turks, and carried prisoner to Con- 
 stantinople, where he would either be put to death, 
 or imprisoned for life, on account of his apostacy. 
 As Hascen had become extremely odious to the 
 Tunisians, this rumour was readily believed, and 
 Hamida found it no difficult matter to enter the city, 
 and take possession of the royal palace. He met, 
 however, with ar^ unexpected reproof from the go- 
 Ternor, who rebuked him for so easily crediting this 
 report, and for being in such haste to ascend the 
 throne of his father. But Hamida persuading the 
 people that the governor was in the interest of the 
 Spaniards, who intended to place his brother 
 Mahomet on the throne, they were immediately
 
 History of Tunis. 27 1 
 
 alarmed ; dreading notliing so much as being under 
 ihe government of a Christian, and such that prince 
 was now considered. By this means, the treacher- 
 ous son obtaintd possession of his father's tiirone, 
 and having nrade hitnself inaster of Tunis, he or- 
 dered the governor to be put to death, and like 
 another Absalom, forced the most favourite of Has- 
 cen's wives to his incestuous embraces. 
 
 The news of this unnatural rebellion having 
 reached the unfortunate monarch in Sicdv, he 
 hastened back into Africa, in order to prevent his 
 son from entering into an alliance with Barharossa. 
 Hascen had with him only two thousand Italians, 
 and five hundred Moors, with whom he marched 
 directly to the capital. The Tunisians perceiving 
 the Italians, and taking it for granted that the kino- 
 had been converted to Christianity, as his son as- 
 serted, abloody battle immediately ensued, in which 
 the forces of Hascen were overpowi red by numbers, 
 and many of them slain. The aged and unfortunate 
 monarch was surrounded by Hamida's troops, and 
 carried prisoner into the capital, where he was 
 closely confined. The next day Hascen sent to 
 request his son to come to him, and to hear what he 
 bad to plead in his own behalf; but Hamida abso- 
 lutely refused to see him, and dispatched execu- 
 tioners, who gave him only the choice whether he 
 would suffer death, or his eyes put out. As he 
 preferred the latter, he was deprived of sight, by 
 having a red-hot lancet thrust into his eyes, and left 
 to languish in grief and misery. 
 
 We shall not pretend to give an account of th« 
 various depositions, assassinations, and other cala- 
 mities, that befel the beys of Tunis, and which
 
 2^-2 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 could not interest the minds of our readei*s. In 
 order, however, to efface the melancholy impression 
 which the barbarous and inhuman action we have 
 been relating^ may occasion, we shall call the atten- 
 tion to the instructive and important lesson given 
 by a Mahomet bey of this kingdom to an Ibrahim 
 dey of Algiers. The former had amassed jjreat 
 riches ; and was celebrated for his great knowledge 
 in chemistry, and for having discovered the long 
 sought for philosopher's stone. But it happened, 
 notwithstanding his pretended learning, that he be^ 
 came disagreeable to his subjects, by whom he was 
 dethroned. On this occasion, he had recourse to 
 Ibrahim, and requested that he would assist him in 
 regaining possession of his dignity and authority* 
 To his solicitations the latter acceded, on condition 
 that he would communicate to him the secret of 
 which he was said to be in possession. Accord- 
 ingly, when the Tunisian was re-instated in his 
 kingdom, the Algerine demanded the fulfilment of 
 his engagement. Mahomet, therefore^ in conse- 
 quence of his promise, sent to Ibrahim, spades, 
 hoes, and other instruments of agriculture, and in- 
 formed him, that these were the instruments of that 
 real magic, which produces solid riches, and con- 
 verts every thing into gold. 
 
 The present sovereign of Tunis, is called Ha- 
 MOODA Bey, and is certainly an extraordinary cha- 
 racter : he has displayed a most energetic policy, 
 and has seated himself more firmly on the throne 
 than any of his predecessors. He is now (1816) 
 about fifty-five years old, and has reigned twenty- 
 nine, a period quite unexampled in the tumultuous 
 annals of Tunis. He has in a great measure thrown
 
 Present Bey of Tunis. 273 
 
 off that dependence on the Turkish power, by which 
 the state was formerly enthralled ; he even rliooses 
 his ministers and favourites, in preference, out of 
 other nations. The mere visfour of his administra- 
 tion seems to have freed liim from that dread of 
 conspiracy and insurr«'Ction, by which former beys 
 were perpetually haimted. His brother and his 
 two rousius, though the rightful heirs to the throne, 
 live on the most friendly terms with him, and par- 
 take of all his amuseujents. 
 
 He extends a very liberal protection to all classes 
 of his sid)jects, even Christians and Jews, vvIjo, be- 
 fore his time, miji^ht be insulted, or killed with per- 
 fect impunity. He is indelati<iaMe in the dispatch 
 of business, and spends very little tiu»e iu sleep, or 
 in the harem. At seven in the morniini-, he (gene- 
 rally receives the consuls of foreign nations in the 
 hall of audience; from eijjjht to twelve, he siis in 
 the hail of justice. He is suprejue judiic through- 
 out his own dominions ; all his subjects from the 
 highest to the lowest attend and plead their own 
 cause.* Unfortunately, whenever the Beys perso- 
 nal interest is concerned, justice is entirely out of 
 the question ; his hand is always open for bribes 
 from either party, and sometimes from both. Where 
 
 •Without the intervention of counsel or attorneys, the Bey's de- 
 cision is as quick in delivery as in execution, for on liearinjj the 
 respective parties, and examining the evidence on both sides, a sign 
 of his han't, or indication of his head, only known t<» his own otflcers, 
 denotes the punishment to be iiifiicied, uiitlhtr it be dt-Hlh, basti- 
 nado, or imprisonment, and the agiiri^^vefi hrtve at least the satis- 
 faction of immediate reparation; wliile this manner of e.xecufing 
 the law, produces a most powerful sensation on the people. — Bleh 
 guiere, 
 
 7 n a
 
 274 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 such all-powerful motives do not interfere, he adnai- 
 uisters justice A^ith equity, and even discovers a pe- 
 culiar tjicl in eliciting the truth. His decisiiins are 
 always given and executed with equal prumptitude. 
 Upon the whole, the security of persons and pro- 
 perty, and the general state of society has been 
 greatly auielioraleil since his accession to power. 
 
 Hiuuf^^da Bey, indeed, might be called a good 
 prince, were it not for his avarice, which knows no 
 bounds, and hesitates at no means of gratification. 
 This induces him to restrain the freedom of trade, 
 to load it with monopolies, and often, which is worst 
 of all, to become a merchant himself. He takes 
 every opportunity of extorting mon»-y from his opu- 
 lent subjects without any pretence, and i)y the 
 most arl)itrary exertions. The following affords a 
 curious example of Tunisian economy. He ha^ 
 erected a new palace, which will, it is said, be one 
 of the most splendid edifices in Barbary ; but in 
 order to lighten the expence, the ground floor has 
 heen fitted up into shops. He has given up the use 
 of wine, in which he formerly indulged to great ex- 
 cess ; but he is much addicted to other shameful 
 species of debauchery. 
 
 The ministers and favourites of Hamooda are of 
 the lowest description, both as to birth and cha- 
 racter. The Zapatapa, or keeper of the seals, and 
 Soliman Kiaya, commander of the army, are both 
 Georgian slaves. The former is stained with every 
 vice, but the latter exhibits an honourable and hu- 
 mane disposition, very rare in this country. The 
 Bey's private secretary is a Christian slave; and 
 the important and lucrative post of guardian of the 
 slaves is held by a Neapolitan renegade.
 
 Tunisian Justice. 975 
 
 Some curious aiipcdotes of Hamooda Bey, are 
 recorded by Mr. Blaquiere in his entertaininsi- and 
 iostrnctive '' Letters from the Mediierrauedn." We 
 select the followino^: — " Hamooda, ihouijh of a se- 
 vere and forbidding countenance in pnblic, is said 
 to be extremely facetious and familiar in private: 
 his jokes, like those of Nero, however, are of a 
 very cruel description; this was exemplified on one 
 occasion since my residence in Tunis, when a boy 
 was brought before him, who complained that a Turk 
 had made a brutal assault on him ; the latter being 
 unable lo justify himself, was sentenced to receive 
 one thousand bastinadoes, and (he boy five hundred. 
 A general expression of surprise being manifested 
 by those present, at the singularity of punishing 
 the boy, his highness thought proper to give them 
 this explanation : * The man,' said his highness, 
 ' deserves the punishment awarded for the enormity 
 of his offence, and the boy for having been found in 
 such bad company ! ! /' 
 
 ** On another occasion, there was a Bedouin who 
 had a hen, and his neighbour had several eggs which 
 he was desirous of getting hatched ; they accord- 
 ingly agreed th it the hen should hatch them, and 
 the brood to be afterwards equally divided ; but it 
 unfortunately happened that thirteen chickens were 
 brought forth. Sanguinary contests have often ori- 
 ginated in trifles. It is no wonder that each of the 
 Arabs contended who should have the odd chicken: 
 this could not be decided on between them, and 
 trifling as the inalter may appear, !hey actually 
 took the hen and her brood before his highness, 
 who no sooner heard the story, than he sent (or his 
 cook, to whom the whole family were delivered,
 
 276 PICTtFRE O* BARBARY. 
 
 and ordering the liti<2ioiis Arabs to receive Jijly 
 haslinadoes each, sijiiiitiraiitiv observed, ' Y(mi will 
 hencel<M ward know the consequence of disputing 
 abont niH{ s.' "* 
 
 For some time past, a fnrious war has raided be- 
 tween the siales of Algiers and Tunis ; ihe fdriner, 
 the more pouertui of the two, beinii ainl)ittons of 
 conquering its \Aeaker nei<ihl)onr. The Bey of 
 Tunis < an call out a force of from forty thousand 
 to fifty thousand men ; but they are merely an 
 armed mob, and scarcely jiresent the semblance of 
 a reutdar army : the Alij^erine troops, however, are 
 ])recisely of the same description. In the sprinir of 
 1807, the two armies took the field ; that of Tunis 
 was highly appointed, ami thought of nothinii; less 
 than the coriquest of the Algerine Province of Con- 
 stantia. The Tunisian army, however, soon threw 
 down their arms, and the Algerines took possession 
 of their camp, bajigaj^e, and fifteen thousand camels 
 laden with every kind of supplies. "We need 
 scarcely add, that such combats were not attended 
 with serious bloodshed ; they were sufficient, how- 
 ever, to deter these heroes fron) again taking the 
 field, and the war was thenceforward carried on by 
 petty skirmishes. 
 
 History of Tripoli. 
 
 This kingdom, bke the rest of Baibary, after be- 
 ing* freed from the Koman yoke, passed succes- 
 sively into the hands o( tin Vandals, the Saracens, 
 
 • Letters from the Mediterranean, vol. ii. p. 253.
 
 History of Tripoli. 277 
 
 and the sovereigns of Morocco, Fez, and Tunis, till 
 the natives w*^ary of their slavery and oppression, 
 resolved to rid tiix .lot-ives of the tyniniiv, :uid to 
 elect a monarch from their own nninher. Of these 
 kinji's, nothinii' i*^ recorded worthy of notice. Tri- 
 poli afterwards fell into ihe hnnds of ihr Arahs, 
 who ranie from Egypt, and whft carried away a 
 great ntindjer of slaves, both from the l<;in«;<lom and 
 the capital. It again became subject to a king of 
 Tunis, named Bucamen, whose tyranny and op- 
 pressions being intolerable, the Tripolitans threw 
 off the yoke, and a second time chose a monarch 
 from their own citizens. The newly-elected sove- 
 reign, tinding himself raised from among his equals 
 to the sunnnit of power and greatness, acted the 
 tyrant in his turn, and was nmrdered. 
 
 Thf- iiaiivts innnediately chose rmother nujuarch, 
 against \\honi Ferdinand, king of Castile and Arra- 
 gon, sent a p(»werfnl Heet and arms, under the 
 connnand of the count of jNavarre, wiio laid siege 
 to the ca{)ital, which he took after a vigor(Mis as- 
 sault. IMie sovereign of Tripoli, with his family 
 and friends, retired into the castle, where he sur- 
 rendered on hononral)le terms; and \>as >eiit with 
 liis wife and two sons to the Emperor Ciiarles V. 
 who resiOie<l him to his former dignity, on condi- 
 tion of his becoming tributary lo h.im. This mo- 
 narch rebuilt and repeopled the place, which he 
 continued to hold in the en)peror's nanie, till the 
 knighis of Khodes were expelled Jiat island, and 
 obliged ic retire into Syracuse, when Charles be- 
 stowed on them Malta, together witii ihe city and 
 castle of Tripoli. 
 
 They continued in posgession of the kingdom till
 
 278 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 the reisfn of Solyjnan, who, under pretence of its 
 havinjT been taken durinij: a truce, sent ;\i::ainst it a 
 very powerful armament under tiie connuand of 
 Sinan Dassat, to whom were joined in tlie exf)edi- 
 tion tlie celebrated Sallia H;us, and the no less fa- 
 mous Drajjut. With ihis fieri .sinan sailed for 
 Tripoli, which he attacked witii all his forces, and 
 of which, at leniilh, he obtained possession, after it 
 had been in the hands of the Cliristiaiis above forty 
 year*-:. Drajjut bein^- left as otuernor f t r the Porte, 
 gtron^ily fortitied the ciiy and castle, and erected 
 two fortresses, which he supjjlied with artillery and 
 anmiunilion. By this means it bee anie one of the 
 strongest cities in Africa, and the general retreat of 
 the Turkish corsairs, that infested the coasts of 
 Italy, Sicily, INaples, and Spain. The knights, some 
 time after, endeavoured to repossess themselves of 
 Tripoli, bnt snflfered a repulse from the Turks. 
 
 But at length the "^I'nrkish government becoming 
 extremely oppressive and intolerable, on account of 
 the avarice and tyranny of the pachas depnted by 
 the Porte, a general revolt was excited both in the 
 city and country, at the head of which was a certain 
 marabou, nan)ed Sid Hajah. Not be«ng, however, 
 sufficiently careful in seeming foreign assistance, 
 he was attacked aiul <lefeated by the Turkish ad- 
 miral, and at length assassinated by his own parti- 
 sans. This revolt was no sooner subdued, than 
 the grand seigni(*r having sent a new governor, who 
 Tvas a Greek renegado, and had obtained his dig- 
 nity by bribes and intrigues, he took the reins of 
 administration into his own hands. He did not, 
 however, render himself entirely independent of the 
 Porte, but agreed to pay an annual tribute to the
 
 History of Tripoli, 279 
 
 grand seignior, as an a< kiuiwledjjment of subjec- 
 tion. This revoliiiioii ij;ave rise to the mixed lorm 
 of goveniineiil that still exists iii appearaiict^ ; l)ut 
 it is really absolute and despoiie. ""i'lie Bev, who 
 is ele(;te(l by liie militia, vM)ul<i seem to be the chief 
 of a l)ody of republicans ; but as he connuands only 
 slaves, he never has recourse to the divan, except 
 on diffiridl conjunctures. 
 
 Such was the case of Tripoli, when its capital 
 was liombarded by the French ; which bein;; the 
 raost important historical circumstance within our 
 knowledge, it shall be concisely related. Louis 
 XIV. king of France, bemg highly incensed cm 
 hearing that a Tripolitan coisair had captured a 
 ship under French colours, and that a great num- 
 ber of his subjects were detained in a stale of 
 slavery, iu spite of the remonstrances of the consul, 
 ordered all his officers sailing in those seas to n>ake 
 reprisals. Pursuant to these commands, the mar- 
 quis of Anfreville, meeting with six vessels belong- 
 ing to Tripoli, on the north coast of Sicily, imme> 
 diately attacked thenj. Three of tiiem, however, 
 making all the sail they coidd, escaped ntdiurt; 
 but the rest venturing an engagenient, sufl'ered s«- 
 verely, and were at length obliged to flee to the 
 island of Chios, in order to be retitted. 
 
 Commodore Du Quesne was no sooner informed 
 of this circumstance, than he followed them with a 
 squadron of seven sail ; and after sending a niessage 
 to the aga of Chios, in which he informed him, that 
 he only came in search of some Tripolitan pirates, 
 who, in contempt of the most soleum treaties, had 
 committed several flagrant outrages on the subjects 
 of the king his master, and hoped he would uot
 
 •280 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 protect such miscreants, completely blocked up the 
 port. This message being disregarfled by the aga, 
 the commodore immediately honibaided llit-' place 
 with such fnry, as to make dreadfid havoc among 
 the inhaliitanls ; but was prevented from entering 
 the harbour by a strong stoccado, which the Tiipo- 
 litans had contrived to place in his way. Com- 
 plaints o( this hostile infringement of the French 
 being carried to the grand seignior, almost occa- 
 sioned a rupture between the two monarrhs ; but 
 through the addiess of the French ambassador at 
 Constantinople, the matter was at length compro- 
 mised, and articles were framed so much to his 
 advantage, that the regency of Tripoli rejected thera 
 with the strongest indications of conternpt. 
 
 Upon this, Louis, who had taken care to provide 
 a powerful armament against that republic, rlirected 
 the fleet to sail for Africa, under the command of 
 the iVJarshal D'Etrees, Vice-admiral of France ; 
 who l)eii(g joined by two other squadrons, appeared 
 before Tripoli on the 15th of June, 1G85. The 
 bond)ardment of the city instantly commenced, and 
 a dreatjfjd havoc being s6on made, the utmost con- 
 sternation and dismay prevailed among the inhabi- 
 tants. They sent a venerable old man, near one 
 bundled years of age, who had been dey of Algiers 
 for twenty-four years, to solicit a peace on the 
 mo-t favourable terms he could obtain. The 
 Frencji coiiimander demanded two hundred thou- 
 »and « row ns, as an equivalent tor the captures niade 
 from his iiiitioi) ; and that all Chri-tian slaves who 
 had Ixcii t;iken under Freiich colours should be re- 
 stored. To iliese lerii:s the regency accedetl ; but 
 some delays arising from the difficulty of raising st>
 
 History of Tripo li. 281 
 
 considerable a sum, the demand was greatly re- 
 duced, and, at length, satisfied in money, rings, and 
 jewels. The Tripolitans set all the French slaves 
 at liberty, and allowed the consul of their nation 
 to enjoy peculiar privileges and exemptions ; and 
 two of the principal persons of the rej)ublic were 
 obliged to do homage at the court of Versailles. 
 
 They landed at Toulon, and proceeded to the 
 residence of the French monarch, from whom as 
 suppliants they expected to experience some marks 
 of displeasure ; but they were agreeably surprised 
 by the polite reception which they every where met 
 with. Of the many things which seemed to excite 
 their notice and admiration, nothing struck them 
 so much as the opera. They considered the music, 
 the actors and actresses, the decorations, machines, 
 and dresses, as a series of enchantments, an assem- 
 blage of irresistible charms. Khalil, the chief of 
 the embassy, who had been a corsair, was so much 
 affected by the sight, that he exclaimed, "We should 
 be able to defend ourselves against any enemy that 
 might attack us, unless it were the opera ; against 
 which we would not contend, but immediately lay 
 down our arms.' 
 
 Without recounting the various revolutions of the 
 state of Tripoli, we shall proceed to observe, that 
 its most flourishing ajra was the reign of Hamet 
 the Great, at the commencenient of the last cen- 
 tury. He freed Tripoli from the Turkish yoke, in a 
 manner worthy indeed of so barbarous an admi- 
 nistration. He invited to a feast three hundred of 
 their chiefs, each of whom, as they successively en- 
 tered were strangled : at the same time a general 
 massacre took place in the city. The Porte being 
 
 8 oo
 
 282 PICTURE OF BARBAtiY. 
 
 propitiated by presents, he was left to remain in 
 tranquillity. He reduced to complete subjection 
 the hitherto untractable possessors of the mountain 
 districts of Garian and Masulata ; and even suc- 
 ceeded in rendering Fezzan his tributary. He in- 
 vited foreigners to settle in his dominions, and pro- 
 moted the manufactures of woollen stufts, Morocco- 
 leather, &c. His popularity enabled him to render 
 the crown hereditary in his family. 
 
 The late bashaw reigned for thirty years with 
 great moderation and mildness ; and Tripoli as- 
 sumed a civilized and pacific character, very unusual 
 in this part of the world. A most unfavourable 
 change has taken place in his son Yusuf, the pre- 
 sent bashaw. He began his career by murdering 
 his elder brother, an amiable prince, in the most 
 barbarous manner. Then surrounding himself by 
 negro slaves and Arabs, he gained an ascendancy 
 over the more pacific inhabitants of the city. He 
 is represented as uniting in himself all the vices of 
 that worst of characters, a Barbary despot."* He 
 has in a great measure ruined commerce, by mo- 
 nopolizing to himself all the lucrative and imj)or- 
 tant branches. 
 
 His principal minister is Sidi Hamet, who shares 
 with his master the most decided partiality to the 
 
 * Those wlio have more minutely studied his character, assert 
 that it bears a greater resemblance to that of Domitian than Nero, 
 being more deligliled with perpetrating acts of severity with his own 
 hand than seeing others perform them. On a late occasion, when 
 in one of those paroxysnis of rage, to which he is so frequently sub- 
 ject, he struck off the head of a poor Sicilian slave, named Michele 
 Scolta, with his own hand. — See Blaquiere's Letters, vol. ii. p. S7'
 
 History of Tripoli. 283 
 
 Freucli, and enmity to the Enj^lish. Lord Nelson, 
 in 1798, sent a line-of-baltle-sliip to demand that 
 the bashaw should for ever remove from his coun- 
 cils so dangerous a subject. A feigned coinpliance 
 took place, but lasted only till the English ship 
 was out of sight of Tripoli. This personage has 
 since been raised to a higher situation, — that of mi- 
 nister for foreign affairs, while his creature Musta- 
 pha has bten appointed captain of the port. The 
 place of Jirsl admiral is held by a person bearing 
 the name of Murat Rais, but who is in reality, a 
 Scotsman, named Peter Lysle. Being at Tripoli 
 in 1792, as mate of an English vessel, and accused 
 of plundering part of the cargo, he fled to the cas- 
 tle, embraced Mahometanisui, and received a com- 
 mand in the ''I'ripoline navy. He soon distinguish- 
 ed himself in the capacity of a pirate, and rose by 
 degrees lo his present high situation. Ke is said, 
 however, to enjoy it but little, and to sigh still for 
 the loss of his country and his friends. 
 
 In the year 1800, the Americans waged war 
 against Tripoli, in consequence of a vessel belong- 
 ing to them having been seized, and the ciew made 
 slaves. They repeatedly attacked the harbour, and 
 did some damage to it, but were not able to inake 
 any serious impression, or to produce any effect, 
 besid<^s that of impelling the tyrant to a more rigo- 
 rous treatment of his captives. They then adopted 
 a different coiirse : they landed in Egypt, where 
 jthey were joined by Hamet, the elder brother of 
 ITusuf, ihe reigning bashaw, and to whom the 
 throne rightfully belonged. The confederates hav- 
 ing collected five hundred men, marched tlu-ough 
 the Libyan desert, and took Derne, the frontier
 
 284 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 town of Tripoli. Notwithstanding the smalhiess of 
 this force, Yusuf, alarmed by the popularity of his 
 brother, accepted the mediation of the Danish Con- 
 sul, and a treaty was concluded. The prisoners 
 were restored at a moderate ransom, and Hamet, 
 now abandoned, returned to Egypt. 
 
 On the 10th of August, 1815, an American squa- 
 dron consisting of four frigates, a brig, and a cutter, 
 after having made the government of Algiers pay 
 one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and that 
 of Tunis eighty thousand, made its appearance 
 before Tripoli, where it remained till the I3th. 
 During these three days, the Dey was compelled 
 to pay the Americans the sum of fifty thousand 
 dollars, which was brought on board by the barges 
 of the Dey, accompanied with music. There was 
 also paid an additional sum of thirty thousand 
 dollars, as the value of the brig Agile, taken by 
 the Algerines, and carried by them into the port 
 of Tripoli ; and which, upon a note from the Eng- 
 lish consul, had been released during the night. 
 While the Americans were thus reversing the old 
 practice, and levying contributions on the Barbary 
 powers, a Dutch frigate anchored before Tripoli, 
 from which the Dey demanded twenty thousand 
 dollars for a peace, aiid five thousand of annual 
 present. The commander refused to pay this sum, 
 but he subscribed to an armistice for four months, 
 and then set sail.
 
 285 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Insolence and Extortion of the Algerines. — Narra- 
 tive of the Insurrection and Massacre at Bona. — 
 British Expedition against Algiers in 1816, under 
 the command of Lord Exmouth. 
 
 A.FTER the termination of the Continental war, 
 which had absorbed every other interest, a (\ee\) 
 feeling- was excited in the British Nation for the 
 fate of their fellow Christians who were groaning 
 under the most horrible slavery at Algiers, and in 
 the other Barbary states. Sicily and Sardinia, the 
 chief snftVrers, were onr intimate allies ; besides 
 which, Britain, as mistress of the seas, seemed call- 
 ed upon to put down a system of naval warfare and 
 depredation, inconsistent with all those ties by 
 which civilized nations are united together.* 
 
 Urged Ijy this impulse, the British govermnent, 
 early in the year 1816, directed Lord Exmouth 
 (late Sir Edward Pellew,) to sail with a squadron 
 against Algiers and Tunis. The appearance of this 
 armament was sufficient to induce both states to a. 
 compliance with the terms demanded, which were, 
 
 *To such an extent did ttie Dey of Algiers carry his exactions 
 in the year 1802, that he received from the European, as well as 
 African powers, the enortuous sum of sbven HUNDRBi) and
 
 286 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 — ])eace with Sicily and Sardinia ; the restoration 
 of their captives at a moderate ransom ; and an en- 
 gagement in every future war, to treat prisoners in 
 tiie manner customary among civilized nations : the 
 number of Christian slaves, principally Neapolitans, 
 Sicilians, and Sardinians, amounted to two thou- 
 sand FIVE HUNDRED ! ! ! 
 
 Scarcely, however, had this treaty been signed, 
 than it was violated in the most outrageous manner, 
 by the insurrection and massacre at Bona, a small 
 sea-port town between Tunis and Algiers, known 
 to the Moors by the name of Slaid el Aiieb, or the 
 town of jujubes, from the plenty of fruit gathered 
 in the neighbourhood. Bona was formerly rich and 
 
 TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE 
 
 POUNDS, in tlje followiug proporticms ! ! ! 
 
 Piastres. 
 
 From Holland, Sweden, and Denmark 75,000 
 
 Spain 165,000 
 
 England ] 80,000 
 
 France , 235,000 
 
 Sweden (2d contribution) 50,000 
 
 Denmark (ditto.) 112,000 
 
 Value of the Portuguese frigate, and ransom of the crew 694,000 
 
 Value of seven other ships and cargoes 120,000 
 
 75 Genoese and Neapolitan slaves 1 87,500 
 
 Total from Europe . . 1,818,500 
 From Africa. 
 The Beys of Titterie, Constantine, and Masceri paid 300,000 
 
 From individuals 100,000 
 
 Bey of Tunis paid 450,000 zec-mahboiibs or 700,000 
 
 Total Europe, 1,818,500 
 Total Africa, 1,100,000 
 
 'i,91 8,500 piastres, or 728,625/, 
 The Piastre is about 5s value.
 
 Massacre at Bona. 287 
 
 populous, but is now poorly built and thinly in- 
 habited : however, a greal quantity of corn, wool, 
 hides, and wax, is annually shipped from this place; 
 and by proper management it might be made the 
 most flourishing city in Barbary, and by introduc- 
 ing fresh water, it would also become one of the 
 most convenient and delightful. The adjacent coun- 
 try produces corn and fruit, and great numbers of 
 small and large cattle, but is much exposed to the 
 incursions of the Arabs. An extensive coral fishery 
 is carried on at a short distance from the town. 
 
 On the 23rd of May, 1816, (Ascension Day) 
 about seven hundred marines, belonging to the crews 
 of the coral fishing-boats, under English and French 
 colours, landed at Bona, on that morning to go to 
 church ; when all on a sudden, a great number of 
 armed Turks and Bedouins entered the church, 
 and began to kill and slaughter all those that were 
 not fortunate enough to efl'ect their escape on board. 
 It is said, that the governor endeavoured to oppose 
 with all his force what resistance he could, but 
 without effect. About tivo hundred were n)assa- 
 cred, and nearly all the remainder dreadfully wound- 
 ed. The British consul was assassiuatt^l, and all 
 the houses of the Franks (Christians) pillaged and 
 laid in ruins ; the English flag was seized and 
 trampled under foot ; aliout sixty wounded persons 
 saved themselves in their vessels, and arrived safely 
 at Cagliari. 
 
 Lord Exmouth had already sailed, and had ar- 
 rived in England before he heard of this dreadful 
 tragedy. The utmost expedition was then employ- 
 ed to equip a new and more formidable armament, 
 by which these wretches might be signally chastised
 
 288 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 for their barbarous and infamous conduct. Ac- 
 cordingly, in a few weeks, Lord Exniouth again 
 sailed, and being joined at Gibraltar by a Dutch 
 squadron under Admiral Capellan, arrived before 
 Algiers on the 2()th of August, 1816. The inter- 
 esting narrative of the attack we shall detail, in the 
 words of the noble Lord, as given in the London 
 Gazette; because it is not only the most authentic, 
 but the most elegant record of this glorious achieve- 
 ment. Several other accounts and anecdotes will 
 be added, in illustration of this memorable day. 
 
 London Gazette Extraordinary. 
 Sept. 15, 1816. 
 
 Admiralty Office, Sept. 15. — Capt. Brisbane of his 
 Majesty's ship Queen Charlotte, arrived at this Of- 
 fice last night with the following dispatches from 
 Lord Ex mouth : 
 
 Queen Charlotte, Algiers Bay, Aug. 28, IS 16. 
 
 Sir, — In all the vicissitudes of a long life of pub- 
 lic service, no circumstance has ever produced on my 
 mind such impressions of gratitude and joy as the 
 event of yesterday. To have been one of the humble 
 instruments, in the hands of Divine Providence, for 
 bringing to reason a ferocious government, and de- 
 stroying for ever the insufferable and horrid system 
 of Christian slavery, can never cease to be a source 
 of delight, and heart-felt comfort to every indivi- 
 dual happy enough to be employed in it. I may, 
 I hope, be permitted, under such impressions, to 
 offer my sincere congratulations to their lordships
 
 Lord Exmouth's Attack upon Algiers: 289 
 
 on the complete success wliich attended tlie 4»allant 
 efforts of his Majesty's fleet in their attack upon 
 Algiers of yesterday ; and the happy residt pro- 
 duced from it on this day by the signal ur^. of peace. 
 
 Thus has a provoked war of tvvo days existence, 
 been attended by a complete victory, and closed 
 by a renewed peace for England and her ally, the 
 king of the Netherlands, on conditions dictated by 
 the firmness and wisdom of his Majesty's govern- 
 ment, and commanded by the vigour of their mea- 
 sures. 
 
 My thanks are jnstly due for the honotir and 
 confidence his Majesty's ministers have been pleased 
 to repose on my zeal on this highly important oc- 
 casion. The means were by thecn marie adequate 
 \o my own wishes, and the rapidity of their mea- 
 sures speak for themselves. Not more than one 
 hundred days since, I left Algiers with the British 
 fleet, unsuspicious and ignorant of the atrocities 
 which had been committed at Bona ; that fleet on 
 its arrival in England was necessarily disbanded, 
 and another, with proportionate resources, created 
 and equipped ; and although impeded in its pro- 
 gress by calms and adverse winds, lias pomcd the 
 vengeance of an insulted nation, in chastising the 
 cruelties of a ferocious government, with a prompti- 
 tude beyond example, and higidy honourable to the 
 national character, eager to re>ent oj)pression or 
 cruelty, whenever practised upon those under their 
 protection. 
 
 Would to God that in the attainment of this ob- 
 ject I had not deeply to lament the severe loss of 
 so many gallant officers and men; they have pro- 
 fusely bled in a contest which has been peculiarly 
 
 8 p p
 
 290 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 marked by proofs of such devoted heroism, as 
 would rouse every noble feeling, did I dare indulge 
 in relalinii; them. Their lordships will already have 
 been iiitorined by his Majesty's sloop Jasper, of 
 ray proceedings up to the •24th instant, on which 
 day I broke ground from Gibraltar, after a vexati- 
 ous detention, by a foul wind, of four days. 
 
 The fleet, complete in all its points, with the ad- 
 dition of five gun-boits fitted at Gibraltar, departed 
 in the highest spirits, and with the tnost favourable 
 prospect of reaching the port of their destination in 
 three days ; but an adverse \\ind destroyed the ex- 
 pectation of an early arrival, which was the more 
 anxiously looked for by mvself, in eonsetpieiK e of 
 hearing the day 1 sailed from Gibraltar, that a large 
 army had been assembled, and that very consider- 
 able additional works were throwing up, nol only 
 on both tianks of the city, but also immediately 
 about the entrance of the Mole : from this I was 
 apprehensive that my intention of making that point 
 my principal object of attack, had been discoxered 
 to the Dey by the same means he had heard of the 
 expedition. This intelligence was on the following 
 night greatly confirmed by the Prometheus, which 
 I had disj)atched to Algiers some tinu- before, to 
 endeavour to get away the consul. Capt. Dash- 
 wood had with difficulty succeeded in bringing 
 away, disguised in Midshipman's um'form, his wife 
 and daughter^ leaving a boat to bring off their in- 
 fant child, coming down in a basket wiih the sur- 
 geon, who thought he had composed it ; but it 
 unhapj)ily cried in the gate-way, and in conse- 
 quence, ihe surgeon, three midshipmen, in all 
 eighteen persons, were seized and confined as slares
 
 Lord ExmoutJis Attack upon Algiers. 291 
 
 in the usual dunj^eons. The child was sent off 
 next mt)rnini^ by the Dey, and as a solitary in- 
 stance of his huu)anity, it ought to be recorded by 
 me. 
 
 Capt. Dashvvood further confirmed, that about 
 forty thousand men had l)cen brought dowu from 
 the interior, and all the Janissaries called in from 
 distant garrisons, and that they were indefatigably 
 employed in their batteries, gun-boats, &c. and 
 every where strengthening the sea-defences. 
 
 The Dey informed Capt. Dash wood he knew per- 
 fectly well the armament wasdestined for Algiers, and 
 asked him if it was true; he replied, if he had such 
 information, he knew as. much as he did, and pro- 
 bably from the same source — the public [)rints. 
 The ships were all in port, and between forty and 
 fifty gun and mortar-boats ready, with several more 
 in forward repair. The Dey had closely confined 
 the consul, and refused either to give him up, or 
 promise his personal safety ; nor would he hear a 
 word respecting the oflScers and men seized in the 
 boats of the Prometheus. 
 
 From the continuance of adverse winds and 
 calms, the land to the westward of Algiers was not 
 made before the 26th, and the next morning at day- 
 break the fleet was advanced in sight of the city, 
 though not so near as I had intended. As the ships 
 were becalmed, I embraced this opportiniity of dis- 
 patching a boat, under cover of the Severn, with a 
 flag of truce, and the demands 1 had lo make, in 
 the name of his Royal Highness the Prmce Regent, 
 on the Dey of Algiers, (of which the accompanying 
 are copies,) directing the officer to wait two or three 
 hours for the Dey's answer, at which time, if no re-
 
 292 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 ply was sent, he was to return to the flag-ship; he 
 was met near the Mole by the captain of the port, 
 who, on being told the answer was expected in one 
 hour, replied, that it was impossible. The officer 
 then said, he would wait two or three hours ; he 
 then olfserved, two hours was quite sufficient. 
 
 The fleet at this time, by the springing-up of the 
 sea-breeze, had reached the bay, and were prepar- 
 ing the boats and flotilla for service, until near two 
 o'clock, when, observing my officer was returning 
 with the signal flying, that no answer had been re- 
 ceived, after a delay of upwards of three hours, I 
 instantly made a signal to know if the ships were 
 all ready, whicii being answered in the affirmative, 
 the Queen Charlotte bore up, followed up by the 
 fleet, for their appointed stations ; the flag, leading 
 in the prescribed order, was ancho^d in the en- 
 trance of the Mole, at about tifty yards distance. At 
 this moment not a gun had been tired, and 1 began 
 to suspect a full compliance with the terms which 
 had been so many hours in their hands ; at this 
 period of profound silence, a shot was tired at us 
 from the Mole, and two at the ships to the north- 
 ward then following ; this was prooiptly returned 
 by the Queen Charlotte, who was then lashing to 
 the mainmast of a brig, fast to the shore in the 
 month of the Mole, and which we had steered for, 
 as the guide to our position. Thus commenced a 
 fire as animated and well supported, as I believe 
 was ever witnessed, from a quarter before three 
 until nine, without intermission, and which did not 
 cease altogether until half-past eleven. The ships 
 immediately following me were admirably and 
 coolly taking their stations, with a precision even
 
 Lord Exmoullis Attach upon Algiers. 293 
 
 beyond my most sanguine hope; and never did the 
 British flag receive, on any occasion, more zealous 
 and honourable support. To look further <.n the 
 line than immediately round me was perfectly im- 
 possil)le, hut so well grounded was my conlidence 
 in the gallant officers 1 had the honour to command, 
 that my mind was left perfectly free to atlend to 
 other ohjerts ; and I knew them in their stations 
 only by the destructive effc^ct of their fire upon the 
 %valls and batteries to which they were opposed. 
 
 I had about this lime the satisfaction of seeing 
 Vice-admiral Van Capellan's flag in the station I 
 had assigned to him, and soon after, at intervals, 
 the remainder of hi^s frigates, keeping up a well sup- 
 ported tire on the flanking batteries he had offered 
 to cover us from, as it had not been in my power, 
 for want of room, to bring him in the front of the 
 Mole, 
 
 About sun-set I received a message from Rear- 
 admiral Milne, conveying to me the severe loss the 
 Impregnable was sustaining, having then one hun- 
 dred and fifty killed and wounded, and requesting 
 I would, if possible, send him a frigate to divert 
 some of the fire he was under. The Glasgow, near 
 me, immediately weighed, but the wind had been 
 driven away by the cannonade, and she was obliged 
 to anchor again, having obtained rather a better po* 
 sition than before. 
 
 I had at this time sent orders to the explosion- 
 vessel, under the charge of Lieut. Fleming and Mr. 
 Parker, by Capt. Reade, of the engineers, to bring 
 her into the Mole; but the rear-admiral having 
 thought she would do him essential service if ex- 
 ploded under the battery in his front, I sent orders
 
 294 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 to this vessel to that effect, which were executed^ 
 1 desired also the rear-admiral might be informed, 
 that many of ihe ships being now in dames, and 
 certain of the destruction of the whole, 1 considered 
 I had executed the most important partof my instruc- 
 tions, and should make every preparation for with- 
 drawing I he ships, and desired he would do so as 
 soon as possible with his division. 
 
 There were awful moments during the conflict 
 which I cannot now attempt to describe, occasioned 
 by firing the ships so near us ; and I had long resist 
 ed the eager entreaties of several around me to make 
 the attempt upon the outer frigate, distant about 
 one hundred yards, which at length 1 gave into, and 
 Major Gosset, by my side, who had been eager to 
 land his corps of miners, pressed me most anxiously 
 for permission to accompany Lieut. Richards in 
 this ship's barge. The frigate was instantly board- 
 ed, aiid in ten minutes in a perfect blaze. A gal- 
 lant young midshipman in rocket-boat, No. 8, al- 
 though forbidden, was led by his ardent spirit to 
 follow in support of the barge, in which he was 
 desperately wounded, his brother officer killed, and 
 nine of his crew. The barge by rowing more ra- 
 pidly, had suffered less, and lost but two. 
 
 The enemy's batteries around my division were 
 about ten o'clock silenced, and in a state of perfect 
 ruin and dilapidation ; and the fire of the ships was 
 deserved as much as possible, to save powder, and 
 y'eply to a few guns now and then bearing upon us, 
 although a fort on tiie upper angle of the city, on 
 which our guns could not be brought to bear, con- 
 tinued to annoy the ships by shot and shells during 
 the whole time.
 
 JLord Exmoutlis Attack upon Algiers. 295 
 
 Providence at this interval {^ave to my anxious 
 ■^vishes tlie usnai land-wind, common in this bay, 
 ^nd my expectations were completed. We were 
 all handvs e(nph)yed in warpinsj and towing' off, and 
 by the help of llu' liji,ht air, the whole were under 
 sail, and came to anchor out of reach of shellis., 
 about two in the mornini^, after twelve hours inces- 
 sant labour. 
 
 The Hotilla of mortar, gun, and rocUet-l)oats, 
 under the direction of their respective artillery 
 •officers, shared, to the fidl extent of their power, in 
 the hv)nours of this day, and performed good ser- 
 vice ; it was by their fire all the ships in the port 
 (vrith the exception of the outer frigate) were in 
 flames, which extended rapidly over the wiiole ar- 
 senal, slore-houses, and gun-boats, exhibiting a 
 spectacle of awful grandeur and interest no pen can 
 describe. 
 
 The sloops of war which had been appropriated 
 to aid and assist the ships of the line, and jjrepare 
 for the'r retreat, performed not only that duty well, 
 but embraced every opportunity of firing liirongh 
 the intervals, and were constantly in motion The 
 shells from the bombs were admirably well thrown 
 by the Royal Marine Artillery; and although 
 thrown directly across and over us, not an accident, 
 that I know of, occurred to any ship. The whole 
 was conducted in perfect silep.ce, and such a thing 
 as a clie^r I never heard in any part of the line; 
 and iiiat the guns were well worked and directed, 
 will be seen for many years to come, and remem- 
 bered by these barbarians for ever. The conduct- 
 ing this ship to \\€^Y station by the masters of the
 
 296 ' PICTURE OF KARBARY. 
 
 fleet and ship, excited the praise of all. The 
 former has been my companion in arms for more 
 than twrnty years. ila\ino; thus detailed, although 
 but imperreclly, the prog^ress of this short service, I 
 venture to hope, that the humble and devoted ser- 
 vices of myself and the officers and men of every 
 description J have the honour to conjmand, vvill be 
 received by his Royal Highness (he Prince Regent 
 wil-h his accustomed grace. The appvol»ation of 
 our services by our Soverei^i^n, and the good opi- 
 nion of (^nr country, will, I venture to affirm, be re- 
 ceived by us all with the Ingb.est satislaction. 
 
 If 1 attempted to name to their lordships the 
 numerous officers who, in such a conflict, have been 
 at different periods njore conspicuous than their 
 com})anions, I should do injustice to many ; and I 
 trust there is no officer in the fleet J have the honour 
 to command, who will doubt the grateful feelings I 
 shall ever cherish for their unbounded and unlimi- 
 ted support. Not an officer nor man contiued his 
 exertions within the precise limits of their own duty; 
 all were eager to attempt services which 1 found 
 more difficult to restrain than excite; and nowhere 
 Avas this feeling more conspicuous than in my own 
 captain, and those officers imnjediately about my 
 person. My gratitude and thanks are due to all 
 under my command, as well as to Vice-admiral Ca- 
 pellan, and the officers of the squadron of his Ma- 
 jesty the Kiugof the Netherlands ; and I trust they 
 %vill believe that the recollection of their services 
 will never cease but with ujy life. In no instance 
 have I ever seen more energy and zeal ; from the 
 youngest midshipman to the highest rank, all seem-
 
 Lord Exmoutlis Attack tipon Algiers, 297 
 
 fed animated hy one soul, and of which I shall with 
 <leli^ht hear testimony to their lordships, whenever 
 that testiujony c;«n he useCul. 
 
 1 have contided this dispatch to Rear-ad nural 
 Milne, my second in comnian<l, from whom I have 
 received, durinc^ the whole service intrusted to me, 
 the most cordial and hononr;il)le support. He is 
 perfectly informed of every transaction of the fleet, 
 from the earliest period of my command, and is 
 fully competent t<> ii^ive their lordships satisfaction 
 on any points which I may have overlooked, or 
 have not time to state. I trust 1 have obtained from 
 him his esteem and re2;ard, and I regret 1 had not 
 sooner been known to him. 
 
 The necessary papers, together with the defects 
 of the ships, and the return of killed and wounded, 
 accompany this dispatch, and I am happy to say, 
 Capts. Ekins and Coode are doing well, as also the 
 whole of the wounded. By accoiuits from the 
 shore, I understand, the enemy's loss iu killed and 
 wounded is between six and seven thousand men. 
 In recommending my officers and fleet to tin ir lord- 
 ships* protection and favour, I have the honour, &c. 
 
 EXMOUTH. 
 
 Admiralty Office, Sept. 24. — Rear adm. Sir Da- 
 vid Milne has arrived at this office with the ori- 
 ginal dispatches of Lord Exmouth, relative to his 
 attack on Algiers, the du()licates of which have 
 already appeared in the Gazette Extraordinary 6f 
 the 15th instant. He is also the bearer of dis- 
 patches from his lordsh'p, detailing his further prO" 
 ceedings, of which the following is the substance: 
 
 On the 28th of August, Treaties of Peace were 
 
 5 Q Q
 
 2dS PICTURE O^ BaRBARY. 
 
 signed by the Dey with his Majesty, and with his 
 Majesty the King of the Netherlands. On the 
 same day also was signed an additional article, or 
 declaration, for the abolition of Christian slavery, 
 to the following effect : 
 
 «' Declaration of his Most Serene Highness Omar, 
 Bashaw, Dey and Governor of the Warlike City 
 and Kingdom of Algiers, made and concluded wilh 
 the Right Hon. Edward Baron Exmouth, Knight 
 Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Or- 
 der of the Bath, Admiral of the Blue Squadron of 
 his Britannic Majesty's Fleet, and Commander in 
 Chief of his said Majesty's ships and vessels em- 
 ployed in the Mediterranean. 
 
 " In consideration of the deep interest manifested 
 by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Eng- 
 land for the termination of Christian slavery, his 
 Highness the Dey of Algiers, in token of his sin- 
 cere desire to maintain inviolable his friendly rela- 
 tions with Great Britain, and to manifest his amica- 
 ble disposition and high respect towards the powers 
 of Europe, declares, that in the event of future wars 
 with any European power, not any of the prisoners 
 shall be consigned to slavery, but treated with all 
 humanity, as prisoners of war, until regularly ex- 
 changed, according to European practice in like 
 cases, and that at the termination of hostilities they 
 shall be restored to their respective countries with- 
 out ransom ; and the practice of condemning Chris- 
 tian prisoners of war to slavery is hereby formerly 
 and for ever renounced. 
 
 " Done in duplicate, in the warlike city of Al- 
 giers, in the presence of Almighty God, the 28th 
 day of August, in the year of Jesus Christ, 181(5,
 
 Lord EosmoutKs Attack upon Algiers. 299 
 
 and in the year of the Hegira, 1231, and the 6th 
 day of the moon Shawal. 
 (Signed) 
 (The Dey's seal.) Exmouth, (L. S.) 
 
 H. M'DouELL. (L. S.)" 
 
 The Dey also, in the presence of his Divan, apo- 
 logized to the British consnl for the personal re- 
 straint which had beetj imposed upon him during 
 the late transactions; and he also paid to the consul 
 a sum of three thousand dollars, as a remuneration 
 for depredations committed on his residence after 
 his imprisonment. After the treaties and article 
 before mentioned had been negociated, and that 
 the Dey had refunded 382,500 dollars, which he 
 had lately received from the governments of Naples 
 and Sardinia, and had released one thousanrl and 
 eightv-three Christian slaves who were at Alu;iers, 
 it came to the knowledge of Lord Exmouth, that 
 two Spaniards, the one a merchant, and the other 
 the vice-consul of that nation, had not been re- 
 leased, but were still held by the Dey in very 
 severe custody, on pretence that they were prisoner* 
 for debt. 
 
 The inquiries which his lordship felt himself 
 called on to make into these cases, satisfied him 
 that the confinement of the vice-consul was iiiound- 
 less and unjustifiable ; and he therefore thought 
 himself authorized to demand his release, under 
 the articles of the agreement for tiie deliverance of 
 all Chrisiian prisoners. It appeared ihai liu- mer- 
 chant was confined for an alleged deht, <m the score 
 of a contract with the Algerine governtnent; but 
 the circumstance under which the contract was
 
 300 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 stated to have been forced on the individual, and 
 the jiien' severity of the ronfiiienieMt ulii(h he suf- 
 fered» determined his lordslnp to mnke an etfnrt in 
 his favour also. This his lordship did, hy rjjjuest- 
 ing his release from the Dey, offeriiii;' himself to 
 guarantee to the Dey the payment of any sum of 
 money which the nierchant should he found to owe 
 to his Hiii'lmess. The Dey having rejected this de- 
 mand and ofler, his lordship, still unwilling to have 
 recourse to extremities, and the renewal of hosti- 
 lities, proposed that the Spaniards ^houhl he re- 
 leased from irons, a!id ihe miserable dnniie"us in 
 which ihey werf^ confined ; and that ihey slmuhl be 
 placed in the custody of" the Spanish Consid, or at 
 least, that the consul should be peimitied to afford 
 them such assistance and accomujodatiou as was 
 suitable to their rank in life. 
 
 These pr<7posilions the Dey also positively re- 
 fused; and Lord Kxuioutb thm felt that the private 
 and pecuniary nature of tht transactions lor which 
 these persons were et)nfined, must be considered as 
 a pretence for the continuance of a cruel and op~ 
 pressi\e systecn of slavery, the total and bona fide 
 abolition of which his instructions <lirect»-d him 
 to insist upon. He therefore acquainted the Dey, 
 that his Highness having rejected a!l the fair and 
 equiiablf conditions proposed to him on this point, 
 his lordship had determined to iitsist mi tiie uncon- 
 ditional release of the two Spaniards. He ihertfore 
 desired an answer, yes, or no ; and, in the event of 
 the lader, staled, that he would iunnediaitl) recom- 
 mence hostibties ; and his loidship made prepa- 
 rations for that purpose. These measures had the 
 desired effect, and the two persons were released
 
 Lord ExmoutJis Attack upoyi Algiers. HOI 
 
 from a lone: nnd severe captivity ; so tli;«t no Chris- 
 tian prisoner rcmainiMl at Al<;iers at his lordshipV 
 departure, vvhich took place on tljc evcninii' o[' the 
 3rd instant, with all the ships nnder his o ders. 
 
 His lordship states, thai Rear-admiral Sir C. 
 Penrose had jointed in the Ister on the 28th, and 
 thai he had eniployed the rear-admiral in his diK- 
 cussions with the l)ey reiativ«> to ihe Spaniards ; 
 and ids lordship iiives the hiu^hest praise to the j)ru- 
 dence, tirmness, iind ahilily with which Sir C. Pen- 
 rose condiiCt«^d himself" on the occasion. 
 
 His loKJsliip's last letters are daled from Gibral- 
 tar, thr I2lh instant, and announce his i.lention 
 very shortly to sail on his return to Eniiland. — The 
 refunded ransoms have h< en sent to the IVeapolitan 
 and Sardiidan ji;overnnuMits ; and the slaves released 
 have heen forwarded in British transports to their 
 respective countries. 
 
 Dutch Official Account of the Battle of Algiers. 
 [from the staas courant extraordinary.] 
 
 The Hague, Sept. \6, \8l6. 
 
 Lieutenant Arriens, of the i»aval service, this 
 morniiiu' arrived from the bay of Aljiiers, winch he 
 left on I he 1st of Septend)er, at the office of the 
 Marine Department, with dispatches from Vice- 
 admiral Cappellan, of the following contents:
 
 302 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Hon. Sir, — Lord Exmouth, daring his short stay 
 at Gibraltar, havins: iurieased his force with some 
 giin-hoats, and made all his arrangenieiits, on the 
 14th of August the united squadrons put to sea, 
 consisiin.ii; of the following vessels : — Queen Char- 
 lotte, 110 guns; impregnable, 96; Superb, 74; 
 Midden, 74; Albion, 74; Leander, 50; Severn, 40; 
 Ghisfrow, 40 ; Granicus, 36; Hebrns, 36; Heron, 
 18; Murine, 18; Promelbeus, 18; Cordelia, 10; 
 Britomart, 10; Express, 8; Falnioiitii, 8; Belze- 
 bub, bond); Fury, ideu) ; Hecia, idem; Infernal, 
 idem ; (Dutch) Melampus, 44 ; Fre(h ilea, 4-J ; Da- 
 geraa<l, 30; Diana, 44; Amstel, 44; and Eendragt, 
 18. 
 
 On the 10th, off Cape de Gale, the Prometheus 
 corvette joined the deet. Capt. Dash wood re- 
 ported, that he succeeded in getting the family of 
 the British consul at Alj^iers on board by stratagem; 
 but thai their flight being too soon discovere', the 
 consul, together with two boats' crew of the Pro- 
 metheus, had been arrested by the Dey, who, hav- 
 ing already received a report of this second expe- 
 dition, had made all pieparations for an obstinate 
 opposition, and summoning the inhabitanis of the 
 interior, had already assend)led more than fifty 
 thousand men, both Moors and Arabs, muler the 
 walls of Algiers. In consequence of a calm, and 
 afterwards by strong easterly winds, we were not 
 before tlie bay of Algiers until the 27th of Aug. in 
 the morning. Lord Exnjouth immediatel\ sent by 
 a flag of truce, a written proposal to the Dey, con- 
 taining in substance, thai the late atrocities at Bona 
 having broken all former connections, he demanded 
 in the name of the Prince Regent —
 
 Lord ExmmdJis Attack upon Algiers. 305 
 
 1. The ininiefliafe delivering up of all Christian 
 slaves without ransom. 
 
 2. The leslitiition of all the money whirh had 
 already been received for the Sardinian and Neapo- 
 litan captives. 
 
 3 A solemn declaration from vhe Dey, that he 
 bound himself, like those of Tripoli and Tunis, to 
 respect the rights of humanity, and in future wars 
 to treat all prisoners according to the usages of Eu- 
 ropean nations. 
 
 4. Peace v/ith his Majesty the King of the Nether- 
 lands on the like terms as with the Prince Uegent. 
 
 On all these articles his lordship expected aii an- 
 swer, yes or no, or hostilities must immediatelj 
 commence. 
 
 His lordship, on whom I waited in the niorriing, 
 was afraid that he should that day be (fbliged to 
 rest satisfied with coming to anchor, and confine 
 himself for the night to an attack by bomb vessels, 
 gun and rocket boats. — Scarcely had I returned on 
 board my vessel when the eea-breeze sprcing up, 
 and the fleet bore into the bay with press of sail : 
 the four bomb vessels immediately took their sta- 
 tion before the town, and every thing was prepared 
 for the attack. Shortly afterward.s, his loidship 
 comnumicated to me, by private signal, " I shall 
 attack immediately, if the wind does not fail." 
 Upon this I immediately made signal to form line 
 of battle in the order agreed upon, in the supposi- 
 tion that all the officers must have been well ac- 
 quainted with the position of the forts ;ind batteries 
 that fell to our share, before the attack was to be- 
 gin ; but as it appears that the signal was not well 
 understood, I resolved to change the line, and to
 
 304 PICTURE OF BARBARV. 
 
 lead it myself in the Melampus. At half past one 
 o'chx k the whole tieet bore up in 'Succession, the 
 Mehiinpns closinii: in with ihe rearmost ship of the 
 Engli--h line; and attifteen minules past two o'clock 
 "\ve saw Lord Exmonth with the Queen Charlotte 
 before (lie wind with sails standing, come to anchor 
 with three anchors from the stern, with her broad- 
 side in the wished-for posiiion, within pistol-shot 
 of the batteries, jnst before the opening of the 
 Mole I'his daring and unexpected mancEuvre of 
 this vessel (a three-<lecker) appeared to have so 
 confounded the enemy, that a second ship of the 
 line had already well ni^h taken her posiiion before 
 the l>atteries opened their lire, which, how violent 
 soever, was fully replied Jo, Having told Captain 
 de Man that I wished as speedily as possi()le, with 
 the Melampus, and the other frigates in succession, 
 to take our posiiion on the larboard side of Lord 
 Exmouth, and to draw upon our squadron all the 
 fire of tliC southern batteries, the captain brought 
 his frigate in a masterly manner under the cross 
 fire of more than one hundred guns, the bowsprit 
 quite free of the Glasgow, with an anchor from the 
 head and stern, in the required position, so as to 
 open our larboard guns at the same minute. Caj)tain 
 Zier\( iiel, who was fully acquainted with the above 
 plan, and with the batteries, brought his frigate, the 
 Diana, nearly at the same moment within a fathom's 
 lengt!; of the place where I had wished it, for our 
 directed po-iliou. The Dageraad, Captain Pol- 
 ders, also iiiiuiediafely opened her batteries in the 
 best (lirtctioii Tb,- Captain Van der Straten and 
 Van der Hait, b\ the thick smoke, and n(;t being so 
 fully acquainted with the localities, were not so for-
 
 Lord Exmouth^s Attack upon Algiers. 305 
 
 tunate in the first moments; but worded with the 
 greatest coohiess, and under the heaviest fire, so as 
 to g:ive their batteries a good direction. Tlie 
 Eendraiit, Captain Lieut. Warden berg, vhich 1 had 
 placed in the reserve, in order to be able to bring 
 assistance, remained under the fire of the lialteries 
 close by. Our ships had not fired for more than 
 half an hour, when Lord Exmoutli acquainted me 
 that he was very much satisfied with the direction 
 of the fireof our squadron on the southern batteries, 
 because these giving now as little hindrance as pos- 
 sible, he commanded the whole of the Mole, and 
 all the enemy's ships. 
 
 His Majesty's squadron, as well as the British 
 force, appeared to be inspired with the devotedness 
 of our magnanimous chief to the cause of all man- 
 kind ; and the coolness and order with which the 
 terrible fire of the batteries was replied to, close 
 under the massy walls of Algiers, will as little ad- 
 mit of description, as the heroism and self devotion 
 of each individual generally, and the greatness of 
 Lord Exmouth in particular, in the attack of this 
 memorable day. 
 
 The destruction of nearly half Algiers, and at 
 eight o'clock in the evening, the burning of the 
 whole Algerine navy have been the result of it. 
 Till nine o'clock, Lord Exmouth remained with the 
 Queen Charlotte in the same position, in the hottest 
 of the fire, thereby encouraging every one not to 
 give up the work until the whole was completed, 
 and thus displaying such perseverance, that all were 
 animated with the same spirit, and the fire of the 
 ships against that of a brave and desperate enemy 
 appeared to redouble. 
 
 8 R R
 
 306 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, the Queen Charlotte, by the 
 loosening: of the burning wreck, beinoj in the greatest 
 danger, we were, under the heaviest tire, only anxi- 
 ous for the safety of our noble leader ; but upon 
 oflering him the assistance of all the boats of the 
 squadron, his reply was, '* that having calculated 
 every thing, it behoved us by no means to be alarm- 
 ed for his safety, but only to continue our tire with 
 redoubled zeal, for the execution of his orders, and 
 according to his example." 
 
 His lordship, at last, aboitt half an hour to ten 
 o'clock, having completed the destruction in the 
 Mole, gave orders to retire without the reach of the 
 enemy's fire : which I, as well as all the others, 
 scrupled to obey, before the Queen Charlotte was 
 in safety from the burning ships. 
 
 In this retreat, which, from the want of wind, 
 and the damage suffered in the rigging, was very 
 slow, the ships had still to suffer much from a new- 
 opened and redoubled fire of the enemy's batteries ; 
 at last, the laud-breeze springing np, which Lord 
 Exmouth had reckoned upon, the fleet, at twelve, 
 came to anchor in the middle of the bay. 
 
 The Queen Charlotte, under the fire of the bat* 
 teries, passing the Melampus under sail, his lord- 
 ship wished to be able to see me, in order to com- 
 pletely reward me by shaking my hand in the 
 heartiest manner, and saying — " 1 have not lost 
 sight of my Dutch friends : they have, as well as 
 mine, done their best for the glory of the day." 
 
 This circumstance, and the general order of Lord 
 Exmouth to the fleet, of which I have the honour 
 to inclose a copy, must make the squadron hope for 
 his Majesty's satisfaction.
 
 Lord Exmoutlis Attack upon Algiers. 307 
 
 For our loss in killed and wounded, I have to 
 refer yon to the snhjoined list: it is remarkably 
 small for ships exposed to a fire of ei<rht hours' 
 duration, in r(»niparison with that of the English 
 ships. In the damajje done to onr ris^ging, &c. your 
 Excellency will observe that we have been less 
 fortunate 
 
 The day after the action, Lord Exniouth sent a 
 second sninmons to the Dey, of which his lordship 
 sent me w copy : it stated, that by the destruction 
 of half Algiers and of his whole navy, the Dey was 
 now chastised for his faithless conduct at Bona, &c. 
 and that he could only prevent the total destruction 
 of the town by the acceptance of the conditions of 
 the preceding' day. The sigjial of the acceptance 
 of the conditions, was the firing of three shots, 
 which three hours afterwards we had the satisfac- 
 tion of hearing. In a conference with two persons 
 empowered by the Dey, on board Lord Exmouth's 
 ship, at which my«elf, together with AdmiraJ Milne 
 and Captain Brisbane, were present, all the points 
 were regulated. The conclusion of the peace was, 
 for England and the Netherlands, celebrated by the 
 tiring a salute of twice twenty-one cannon; and I 
 have now the satisfaction of wishing you joy on 
 the successful termination of the efforts of his 
 Majesty in the cause of humanity. [Here follow 
 praises bestowed by the admiral on the different 
 officers of his squadron.] 
 
 In proof of his adherence to the treaty the Dey 
 must this day, at twelve o'clock, deliver up :3()0,000 
 dollars ; and all the slaves must be ready for em- 
 barkation at the wharf. Those of our country are 
 in number twenty-six or twenty-seven, all well, be-
 
 308 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 sides many others driven into the interior of the 
 country, and who cannot be here before two or three 
 days. 
 
 I shall have the honour, on a future opportunity, 
 to report further to your Excellency ; and am, with 
 the highest respect, &c. 
 
 T. Van De Cappellan. 
 
 His Majesty's frigate Melampus, Bay of Algiers, Aug. 30, 181 6. 
 
 The INelherlanders, who were in capiivity at Al- 
 giers, were already, on the 31st of August, on board 
 the flag-ship of Vice-admiral Van de Capellan, who 
 had appointed the Dageraad frigate to convey them 
 to their native country. The corvette Eendragt has 
 been sent to Marseilles, to bring the Consul Fras- 
 sinet. — The joyful tidings of the victory over the 
 AJgerines was made known to the inhabitants of 
 this residence by the firing of cannon. 
 
 ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS, 
 
 A Copy of the Minutes of the Battle of Algiers, 
 from the log-book of his Majesty s ship Leander, 
 C'aptam Edward Chetham, C. B. 
 
 At (l;iy-light on the -iTth of August, 1816, in 
 compan\ u ith the fleet, observed the city of Algiers, 
 bearing W. S. W. About 8 A. M. light airs, 
 inclining to calm, admiral and squadron in com-
 
 Lord Exmout/is Attack upojt Algiers. 30f^ 
 
 pany, observer) a Frencli friijate workinp; out of the 
 Bay. His Majesty's ship Severn hoisted a flag of 
 truce, and dispatched a l)oat towards the city. At 
 ten exercised at qjiarters, and h)ade(l the guns; 
 hoisted out all tlie l)oats, and prepared them for 
 service. At noon the French frigate joined ; her 
 captain went on hoard the Connnander-in-Chief, 
 where he remained a short time, and returned to his 
 ship. Observed the .Severn's boat, with the truce, 
 pulling out from the city. At -2. 30. Lord Exmouth 
 made the signal general, ' Are you ready ?' which 
 was immediately answered, ' Ready.' He then 
 made the signal for the fleet to bear up — bore up 
 Leander, within her own length of the Comujander- 
 in-Chief, standing in for the Mole — beat to quarters 
 — made every preparation for anchoring — observed 
 the enemies batteries crowded with men, and their 
 gun- boats prepared to board. At 2. 40. the boat 
 employed as a truce returned to the Queen Charlotte 
 — clewed up our sails, following the motions of the 
 Commander-in Chief, who, at 2.45. anchored abreast 
 of the Mole, and within half-pistol-shot. 
 
 At 2 47. Leander anchored in her station, close 
 a«head of the Queen Cliarlotte, in five fathoms 
 water, when the enemy opened a most tremendous 
 fire, which was instantly returned by the broad- 
 sides of the Queen Charlotte and Leander, tl)e fleet 
 anchoring in the stations assigned them, and open- 
 ing a vigorous fire. Observed the eti'ect of our fire 
 had totally destroyed the enemy's gun-boats and 
 row-jiallevs, and defeated their intention of board- 
 ing. The battle now raged with great fury, officers 
 and men falling very fast, and masts, yards, and 
 rigging cutting in all directions.
 
 310 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 At three observed the enemy's colours shot away 
 iij some of their batteries, which were very soon 
 re-hoisted, and their fire obstinate. At 3. 50. an 
 officer of the Hebrus came from the commander-in- 
 chief, with orders to cease firing, to allow the ene- 
 my's frigate moored across the Mole to be set on 
 tire, which was done in a gallant style by a boat 
 from the Queen Charlotte. x\t 3. 55. a vigorous 
 firing was recommenced on both sides. Our flat 
 boats throwing rockets with good effect, some ma- 
 gazines were observed to explode. 
 
 At 4. 10. the enemy's frigate burning with great 
 rapidity, and drifting near us, the commauder-in-^ 
 chief sent an officer to direct us to haul out clear 
 of her. At 4. 15. the commander-in-chief made the 
 signal for barges and pinnaces. Sent out boats to 
 the Queen Charlotte, under the command of Lieu- 
 tenant Monk. At 4. 30. Lieut. Monk return- 
 ed with orders from the commander-in-chief to keep 
 the boats in readiness to assist the Leander. Per- 
 ceiving the ship on fire to be drifting past us, kept 
 our station. 
 
 At 30 minutes past six, observed the city on fire 
 in several places, and the Mole-head and some other 
 batteries near us ahnost demolished : the enemy 
 were remounting their guns, and we continuing a 
 smart cannonading. At seven, found the batteries 
 abreast of us to slacken, but were greatly cut up_ 
 from batteries on the starboard bow. Run a haw- 
 ser to Severn, and hove our broad-side to bear on 
 thetn. 
 
 At 25 minutes past seven, the whole of the ene- 
 my's ships in the Mole were observed to be on fire 
 —our masts, yards, sails, and rigging, at this pe-
 
 L(yrd Esfmouth's Attack upon Algiers. 311 
 
 riod, so entirely cut to pieces, as to prevent us, if 
 necessary, setting a sail on the ship — officers and 
 men falling fast, and a great proportion already 
 killed and wounded ; but our fire continued with 
 unabated fury — enemy's fire considerably slackened 
 — ships on fire drifting near us — hauled on our 
 spring fast to the Severn, but found il shot away; 
 made it fast again, and cut the small bower, to haul 
 out of the way of the ships on fire. 
 
 At 9. 45. the fleet hauling and towing out, but 
 from the state of the masts, sails, and rigging, found 
 our own exertions ineffectual to haul or low out; 
 our hawser, which was fast to Severn, being gone, 
 and no other ship near us. Lowered the gig, to 
 send Lieut. Saunders (1st Lieut.) to inform Lord 
 Exmouth of our situation ; but the boat was sunk, 
 and the jolly-boat, which that officer and crew then 
 embarked in, was also sunk a short distance from 
 the ship, but the crew were picked up by the flat- 
 boat, and proceeded to the commander-in-chief, who 
 immediately ordered assistance to be sent to the 
 Leander. 
 
 At 10. 30. cut the stern cables, some boats tow- 
 ing us also, a hawser fast to the Severn, with a 
 light air off the shore which enabled us to move 
 slowly, and clear the ships on fire. The enemy re- 
 commenced a heavy fire of musketry upon us, and 
 some few large guns at intervals fired grape and 
 cannisler to dislodge their small-arm men. 
 
 At 11. 25. the Leander ceased firing, drawing 
 fast out into the bay. Light breezes, and cloudy, 
 with thunder and lightning. At midnight answer- 
 ed the signal for the fleet to anchor. Light breezes, 
 and very dark weather, wind S. W. illumined by
 
 312 PICTURE OV BARBARY. 
 
 the Mole Arsenal, and Alijerine Navy, in flames» 
 Anchored with the best Ijower in 40 fathoms water. 
 
 At day-lighl mustered ship's company by ship's 
 books, and fonnd ]6 killed, and 120 wounded; 
 found our bowsprit, fore, main, and mizen masts 
 very l)adly wounded, fore and main-yards shot 
 away — main and mizen top-masts shot away ; main- 
 top-sails, yard, and the standing and running rig- 
 ging so completely cut up, that we had scarce a 
 rope to make use of; our sails just as bad ; em- 
 ployed clearing the wreck. At 9. 30. acting Cap- 
 tain Mitchell came on board from the commander- 
 in-chief, to thank Capt. Chetham for the admirable 
 position taken up by the Leander, and for her con- 
 duct during the conflict. 
 
 Whilst the above details show the prominent 
 share which the Leander took in the battle, it may 
 likewise be considered as presenting a good gene- 
 ral view of the zeal and valour that must have been 
 displayed by all. The subjoined letter and infor- 
 mation from other officers will still increase this 
 impression : — 
 
 Leander, Motherbank, Sept. 28,. 18l5. 
 
 I must inform you that this ship anchored at 
 Algiers at the moment the Queen Charlotte did ; 
 and both commenced firing together. His High- 
 ness the Dey, it would seem, was deluded by a 
 false confidence in his means of defence, and igno- 
 rance of our naval character. He permitted us to 
 take up our position without molestation, intending, 
 it is since confessed, to board us from his flotilla, 
 whilst we were furling sails : 37 boats were all fully 
 manned and prepared for the service ; but, to their
 
 Lord ExmoutJis A ttach upon Algiers. 3 1 5 
 
 utter confusion, means had been prepared to clue 
 them up, instead of furling them ; so that we began 
 their dreadful havoc and destruction before they 
 could apply the few strokes of the oar, whicli would 
 have brought them alongside our sljips. 
 
 The tremendous broadsides of tlie Queen Char- 
 lotte and Leander pouring upon them, instantly 
 sent them to the deep, leaving scarcely a wreck be- 
 hind, but the harbour covered with people swim- 
 ming from destruction. The Mole was lilh-d with 
 spectators on our entrance, where the terrific broad- 
 sides of the Queen Charlotte instantly spread deso- 
 lation : and as crowds rushed to the great gate for 
 succour and safety, the Leander's guns, which com- 
 manded the principal street, there carried death 
 and destruction. Three times were the batteries on 
 the Mole cleared, and thrice were they manned 
 again. 
 
 The Dey was every where oflering pecuniary 
 rewards to those who would stand against us ; eighit 
 zequins were to be given to every man who would 
 endeavour to extinguish the fire. At length a 
 horde of Arabs were driven into the batteries, under 
 the inspection of the most devoted of the Janissa- 
 ries, and the gates closed upon them. I have never 
 seen men so animated as the Leander's were : the 
 hearty and repeated British cheers sent forth on 
 every occasion, when the houses were tumbling 
 about the enemy, not only animated the n^eu on 
 deck, but those who were most severely wounded 
 re-echoed them. Many of the wounded returned 
 to their quarters after being dressed, and many 
 anecdotes could be related of their devotion io their 
 country. 
 
 8 « s
 
 314 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 AH the passage they had been trained to their 
 guns, and they were seen to take aim, and fire as 
 deliberately as if they had been exercising. No- 
 thing but the most singular interposition of Divine 
 Providence could have saved this ship from total 
 destruction : without a sail to set, the rigging cut to 
 pieces, every spar injured, and the ship a perfect 
 wreck, she was drifting on the rocks, when the 
 wind suddenly veered round, and gave the boats an 
 opportunity of coming to her assistance. The 
 wounded are doing amazingly well ; seventy-six 
 brave fellows have been restored to the service. I 
 believe it is not generally known that our worthy 
 admiral, Milne, received a severe contusion of the 
 thigh by a cannon-shot — he suffered much pain, 
 but his modesty, as conspicuous as his merit, pre- 
 vented its being mentioned. It may be worthy of 
 remark, that one of our youngsters (a midshipman) 
 was so fatigued, that he slept most soundly for an 
 hour on the quarter-deck, during the heat of the 
 action. 
 
 After the final close of the negociations had been 
 protracted a little, by the Dey refusing to give up 
 two Spaniards, he consented, observing to his divan 
 — " His foot is upon my neck, and what can I do ?" 
 His lordship then left the bay with his fleet : the 
 Severn, Heron, and Mutine, had been previously 
 sent away with the restored redemption slave- 
 money, for the kings of Naples and Sardinia. The 
 Impregnable has 263 shot in her side, 50 of which 
 are below, the lower-deck ports : 3 68-pounders 
 entered her store-room, (six feet under water,) and 
 wounded a woman there. She expended W tons
 
 Lord Exmouth's Attack upon Algiers. 3 1 5 
 
 aud a half of powder; 120 tons of shot ; 54 32-ponnd 
 rockets; and 30 8-inch shells. Thirty-six of her 
 wounded men died the morning after the battle. 
 The enemy's walls were from 14 to 10 feet thick, 
 and formed of the best masonary our engineers ever 
 examined. The Algerines were assisted by 40,000 
 Arabs, who since the battle have absconded with 
 their arms, and become a 2:reat annoyance to the 
 city. The Dey's prime minister was beheaded the 
 morning after the action, because he was considered 
 as the principal of the French party, whose influ- 
 ence had prevailed with the Dey to refuse the over- 
 tures of the Prince Regent. The French frigate 
 which our fleet found in the bay, it was suspected, 
 had landed a number of engineer officers at Algiers 
 from France. The Mindeti and GramVus were in- 
 tended to forma reserve; but iuunediately the firing 
 commenced, they sent boats to Lord Exmoulh to 
 solicit a place in the line, and actually without or- 
 ders anchored in a most efi'ective manner. 
 
 The skirts of Lord Exmouth's coat were carried 
 away by grape-shot, and discovered the next day 
 among the flags. Capt. Brace, of the Impregnable^ 
 was wounded by splinters from the main-mast. 
 
 ACCOUNT BY A MERRY MIDSHIPMAN. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from a Midshipmafi on board his 
 Majesty's Ship Queen Charlotte, to his friends in 
 London. 
 
 Queen Charlotte, 20, lSl6. 
 
 My Dearest 
 
 Turbans and trowsers are so like caps and petti-
 
 3l6 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 coats, that you in England think the Turks anrl 
 Moors are little better than old women. If you 
 had seen them t!ie day before yesterday, you would 
 liave U.u\ a dini-rent opinion of them. Without so 
 much noise and jahberiiif^, they were as jutive as 
 Frenchmen, and to do them justice, tiiey pointed 
 their guns with a coolness and precision that would 
 not have disonraced any gentlem(Mi in cocked hats 
 and panlalooiis, and 1 t.'iink, as far as I could judge, 
 there are few Cinistians who value their skins less 
 than these Pagans. They say that they have a 
 funny paradise prepared for those who die in bat- 
 tle ; some of the joys of this pretended Eden we 
 Lope to enjoy on our arrival at home ; however, 
 seven thousand of the poor Mahometans have gone 
 before us. 
 
 All the ships bore up, and took their places in 
 the best order and the most gallant marmer. It 
 Avas, at least, as coolly and exactly performed as 
 the famous review at Portsmouth, and I only wish 
 that the great Alexander, who, we are told, thinks 
 ^\'e go snacks with the old Dey, had seen this re- 
 view instead of that. Not that he could have seen 
 long or much, for after the firing once began, the 
 little wind that there was swooned away, as if for 
 fear, ixud we were all covered by thick smoke, like 
 twenty Vauxhr.lls at the c\i(\ of fire-works on a 
 cloudy night. Our old Queen Charlotte was the 
 Ma(iame Saqui of the piece, and danced beautifully 
 on the tight rope by which she was made fast to the 
 mole. 1 dare say the Dey thinks that we must be 
 all near-sighted, for we seemed to think we never 
 could get close enough. Our brave admiral was 
 very polite; and though they say the first blow is
 
 Lord ExmoxUlis Attach upon A/oicrs. 017 
 
 half tlie hatdo, lio gave tliis ajlvaulage to (lie pirates, 
 who hciiaii liriiiii- just aliont two o'clock, as I have 
 since heard, (or I forgot to look at my watch. The 
 position of the Qi.cen Charlotte was e\ac(ly at the 
 entrance of (he i\K)le, where we iiad a complete 
 prospect of what (hey nsed to (all the nKirinf. They 
 uuist now find a new name for it, for they have no 
 marine left. This enahled ns to have a clear view 
 of the commencement of (lie action. 1 ( aniiot de- 
 scribe to you the immense crowd of men that co- 
 vered the Mole and all parts of the nuiriuc ; they 
 Avere as thick as hops ; tiiicker I snp[)osc ihan the 
 hops are this year, nidess the weather mended, — 
 Well, jnst as the old lady was going- to let liy her 
 broadside, tlie admiral, J snppose, had sonte pity 
 on the jioor devils ; for he s(oo(l on (he poop, and 
 motioned wiih his hand for them (o ^rt ont o( the 
 way — l)iit (here nas snch a crowd thai this was im- 
 possible, even if they, had wished ; but 1 don't sup- 
 pose they nnderKtood what the adniiral meant — at 
 last, lire! lire! lire! — and bang: I (hink I saw live 
 hundud or one thousand of theuj ban^' down in an 
 instant. After ihal I did not see much, nnlil our 
 boats, taking pily on our darkness, set lire to a 
 frigate close to ns, just by way of liglit to see what 
 we were doing Yon talk of your fires in London, 
 ami of yom- engines and firemen ; I wisli we hail 
 had some of iIumu, when this cnrs(wi frigate was 
 blazinji' not fil'ty yards from our dwelling, which, 
 being built of wood, with oakum fi)r mortar, and 
 fine verandas and balconies made of hemp and low, 
 was ratluM- more in danger than one of your sub- 
 stantial messuages is, when the neighbour's house 
 takes fire. The tact is, we were on fire, 1 believe
 
 3'18 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 two or three times ; but we were all so d d cool 
 
 that we put it out directly. The short and the lang 
 of the story is, that in six hours we knocked all 
 their batteries and castles about their ears and eyes, 
 like the last scene in Timour the Tartar. When we 
 come home, it would save the pid)lic some cash, and 
 give us a little employment, to hire us to (!lear the 
 way for the new street : we should have St. James's 
 Market down in a twinkling ; and I will venture to 
 say, the Dey's baiteries looked as like a slaughter- 
 house as any butcher's shop in the whole row. 
 
 All our gun-boats were numbered, and it was 
 good fun to see how No. 8 would pull to get inte 
 the fire before No. 6 ; in fact they were all nobly 
 conducted, and the only number which nobody 
 seemed to care of was number one. For my part I 
 say this with an easier conscience, because I was 
 obliged to stay on board ; the boats were supposed 
 to be such desperate work, that it required great 
 interest to get into them. I never before so wished 
 to be an honourable ; however, I was forced to con- 
 tent myself with the speaking trumpet, with the as- 
 sistance of which I assure you I sang out pretty 
 well, though I cannot say that it was to any great 
 tune. You will say, perhaps, that I am acting the 
 trumpeter still. 
 
 Now the grief of the story is, that we had no 
 officer killed, so no promotion ; the Dey's balls 
 seemed to have the navy list by heart, and took care 
 to avoid every body who would have made a va- 
 cancy. The admiral had a sore dowse on the 
 chops, which did not I believe draw blood ; if it 
 did, he swabbed it up directly, without saying a 
 word about it, though he must have had a good
 
 Lord Exmoutlis Attach upon Algiers. 3 19 
 
 deal o( jatv of his own, to have been able to stand 
 such a thump. 
 
 I have written my paper full, and yet I beliere 
 I have told you little or nothing about the real 
 battle; but the truth is, I saw but little of it. I 
 was like the man in the play, who could not see the 
 town for the houses ; and Jonah in the whale's belly 
 knew as much about u gale of wind, as a Middy in 
 a three-decker does of an action. But the best of 
 the story is, and I must take a new sheet to tell it, 
 that the Prometheus brought us two new midship- 
 men — funny little fellows; who do you think they 
 were? The consul's wife and daughter. I won- 
 der how they behaved in the action ; I did 
 not see them. The consul himself was in irons 
 ashore. Now that it is over, I wonder whether he 
 will thank us for teaching his wife to wear the 
 breeches. He had a little child in the cradle, and 
 the doctor promised to give it some dose that 
 should make it be quiet ; and he engaged to bring 
 it down in a basket like a roasting pig ; but just as 
 the poor doctor and his pig got to the last gate, the 
 poor little devil began to squeak ; so the Turks 
 found out the whole affair, and clapped the doctor 
 and three youngsters, and the boat's crew into pri- 
 son, as they do the old women about London, for 
 child stealing. The doctor, I hear,jsays, that it is 
 the most surprising thing in the world that his drug 
 did not keep the child quiet, and indeed I think so 
 too ; for after taking these folks' stuff, people are 
 generally quiet enough. However, all's well that 
 ends well ; the Dey sent the child off the next 
 morninir — we thoudit he must have a i^rood force
 
 320 . PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 with him, when he could afford to send us the in- 
 fantry. 
 
 God bless you iny dear — , I have got a cor- 
 rect plan of the whole affair, which Jane may work 
 into a sampler at Cliristmas ; only, mind, the Turks 
 must be done in worsted. I hear onr captain is go- 
 ing wiih despatches. I shall try to get this letter 
 sent, to let you know that I am alive and merry: 
 and now that you are sure of that, I will tell you 
 of a little scratch I had, but it is nothing at all, just 
 like my letter. Onr doctor you see has no better 
 success with me than the Prometheus' doctor with 
 the little child, for he has not made me quiet. Again 
 God bless you. 
 
 I end this khe 30th : could you believe that so 
 msjch nonsense could be written in twenty-four 
 hours, and with such a bad pen? 
 
 THE BATTLE MOKE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from a 31idshipman, dated H, 
 
 M. S.**** *, Bay of Algiers, 29lh August, 1816. 
 
 As for minutely describing the action, it 
 
 was so awful, that it is quite out of my power, 
 therefore I will not attempt it, but must refer you to 
 the printed despatches. J will, however, mention 
 one cimunstauce, that caiiie within my own obser- 
 vation. The Heron lay for more thai) three hours 
 close under the admiral's stern, blazing away, and 
 ready to assist in towing him off if requisite. On 
 the little brig taking that position, Lord Exmowth
 
 Lord MxmouUis Attack upon Algiers. 32 1 
 
 standing on Queen Charlotte's tat'rail, hailed her, 
 and takinsj oft' his hat, cheered Iter himself." 
 
 To t^ive Lord E. his due, he certainly took Q. C. 
 into a place where I expected her to he blown out 
 of the watt r : she lay within half pistol-shot of three 
 immense batteries, and had abr)ve two hundred 
 guns bearing on her alone. The Algerines suffered 
 most of the ships to take their stations before they 
 opened their fire, being confident of obtaining an 
 easy victory over ships opposed by stone walls 
 covered with £cuns. It is said that tlie first broad- 
 side from Q. C. killed above three hundred people, 
 and that the Leander's destroyed as many more : 
 from that time they gradually forsook their guns. 
 
 The grandest spectacle I ever beheld was when 
 their frigates were burning : this, together with shot, 
 shells, rockets, &;c. flying over our heads, has made 
 so solemn an impression on my mind, that it never 
 can be effaced. None of us were hurt, although 
 the rigging over-head was coming down aliout our 
 ears every instant ; both these circumstances I ac- 
 count for by the supposition of their firing uncom- 
 monly higii ; Q. C. herself not having a man touched 
 on her lower deck. Some say the battle of Algiers 
 was at times hotter than Trafalgar itself One of 
 our lieutenants, who was in that action, is of this 
 opinion. 
 
 August 30. I find the Leander does not sail 
 immediately ; which gives me time to add, that 
 the articles of the treaty have been read to the re- 
 spective ship s companies, and received with tliree 
 cheers. It will always be an extremely gratifying 
 thought to recollect the 27th of August. We began 
 
 9 T T
 
 3^22 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 at half past two with eagerness, and at midnight our 
 spirits were not in the least abated. 
 
 Comparative Statement of Loss in the late Action at 
 Algiers, ivith that of former ones during the two 
 late Wars, 
 
 The Algerines, it would seem, have been much 
 undervalued as to their skill in gunnery; the late 
 action against them, our readers will be surprised 
 to hear, was the bloodiest which has been fought of 
 late years, in comparison with the numbers em- 
 ployed. 
 
 In the action of tlie 1st of June, there were 20 
 sail of the line (including the Audacious) in action, 
 with about 17,000 men ; of these, 281 were killed, 
 and 797 wounded.— Total, 1078. 
 
 In Lord Bridport's action, 23rd of June, 1795, 
 there were 14 sail, with about 10,000 men ; of whom 
 only 31 were killed, and 113 wounded. — Total, 144. 
 
 In the action ojff Cape St. Vincent's there were 15 
 sail of the line, with about 10,000 men ; of whom 
 there were 73 killed, and 227 wounded. — Total, 
 300. 
 
 In Lord Duncan's action, 11th of October, 1797, 
 there were 16 sail of the line (including two 50's) 
 engaged, with about 8,000 men ; of whom 191 were 
 killed, and 560 wounded. — Total, 751. 
 
 In the battle of the Nile, 1st of August, 1798, 
 there were 14 sail of the line engaged, with about 
 8000 men; of whom 218 were killed, and 677 
 wounded.— Total, 895.
 
 Lord ExmoulKs Attack upon Algiers. 323 
 
 In Lord Nelson's attack on Coppiilmfren, 2ntl of 
 April, JMOl, there were ll snil of the line and 5 
 frigates cnitaued, with about 7.000 men ; id" whom 
 234 vvrre killed, and 641 wounded. — Total, 875. 
 
 In the l)a!tle of Trafalgar, 21st of Ortober, 1805, 
 there u< re i7 sail of the line engaged, with obont 
 17,000 men; of whon) 412 were killed, and 1,112 
 wounded. — Total, 1,524. 
 
 In the attack on Algiers there appear to have 
 been 5 sail of the line and 5 frigates engaged, the 
 crews of which may be contpnted at about 5,000 
 men ; of whom 128 were killed, and 690 wounded. 
 — Total, 818. If the Dutch frigates were added, 
 they may be taken at about 1,500, of whom 13 vvere 
 killed, and 32 wounded ; so that the totals would 
 be of 6,500 men, 141 killed, and 722 wounded. — 
 Total, ms. 
 
 Our readers will see that the proportion, there- 
 fore, of the killed and wounded in this action, ex- 
 ceeds the proportion in any of our former victories. 
 
 On the 5th of October, 1816, arrived at Plymouth, 
 from Gibraltar, after a tedious passageof t wenty days, 
 his Majesty's ships Impregnable, Captain Brace, 
 Superb, Captain Ekins, Hebrus, Captain Palmer, 
 and Belzebub bond). Captain Kempthorne, four of 
 ihe gallant partakers in this desperate engagement, 
 which were immediately put into quarantine. On 
 returning to their station, the two former ships sa- 
 luted the Port-admiral, who gave them a similar
 
 324 PlCttRE OP BARBlkYi 
 
 compliment. One general joy pervaded Che three 
 towns; the Plymouth bells pealed merrily, and the 
 Sourjd soon became covered with boat«< full of 
 anxious inquirers for friends and relatives. 
 
 On VVednesday the quarantine flag was lowered, 
 and the Impregnable and Superb prepared to go up 
 Hamoaze. On hearing the signal-gun, the inhabi- 
 tants flocked from every direction to Mutton Cove, 
 Mount Wise^ the Hoe, and other eminences around< 
 The wind was peculiarly auspicious, and as the 
 vessels passed the Narrows into Hamoaze, with ail 
 the grandeur of British sail of the line, apparently 
 as if conscious of the laurels they had so nobly 
 won, the welkin rang with cheers from thousands 
 of voices on both shores, and on board the shipping, 
 until the Impregnable came to anchor off the Dock- 
 yard, and the Superb nearly opposite the Gun- 
 wharf. The Belzebub followed soon afterwards, 
 leaving the Hebrus in the Sound, which came up 
 the harbour on Thursday. 
 
 The Impregnable was almost riddled on the star- 
 board side, having large shot in the hull, 233; fore- 
 mast, (); bowsprit, 3; foreyard, 1; jib boom, 2; 
 main-yard, 2; uiain-top-niast, 3 ; main-top-gallant- 
 mast 1 ; crotchet-yard, 1 ; gafl, 1 ; main-mast> 15. 
 ' — Total, 268. None less than a 24''pounder. 
 
 A considerable number of grape-shot were found 
 sticking in different parts of the ship, all her rig- 
 ging entirely shot away, and the sails very much cut. 
 
 The muzzle of one of the guns, and the arm of 
 another, were knocked off; and eight or ten others, 
 with their carriages, broken. 
 
 The Impregnable expended 400 barrels, or 18
 
 Lord l^xmoutJis Attack upon Algiers. 325 
 
 tons of powder; and 7000, or 100 (oun of round 
 shot, l)psi(les case, canister, and Slirapnell siiells. 
 One I8lli. shot entered her bidwark, passed tlirough 
 the heart of her inain-niast, and went ont at the 
 opposite side. A 44lh. shot hxiged in the ship, was 
 slung in the boatswain*s store-room, with the fol- 
 lowing words painted on it : — 
 
 This was sent by the Dey of Algiers on board H. INI. S. Impreg- 
 nable, as one of the advocates for slavery, but wiihnut effect, the 
 Syth August, 18 16. 
 
 The Impregnable remained at Gibraltar two days, 
 during which time a new main-mast was taken in, 
 and that valuable officer, Captain Brace, being 
 determined to accompany his noble ciiief home 
 to England, put to sea with the main-top-mast half 
 rigged, and main-yard down. We subjoin a copy 
 of the minutes from the log. 
 
 Minutes taken on hoard of his Majesty's Ship Jm- 
 pregnable, on the '27th of August, 1810, from the 
 commencement to the end of the ActioJi. 
 
 12 Noon — Fine clear weather, the squadron ly- 
 ing to off Algiers, waiting the return of the flag of 
 truce. 
 
 0. 15. P. M. — Answered general signal to pre- 
 pare to anchor, and engage the enemy. 
 
 1. 35. — The flag of truce was annulled, and the 
 commander-in-chief bore up and led in. 
 
 1, 40. — Bore up to take our station a-stern of the 
 Superb. 
 
 2. 45.— Clewed up the fore and mizen-top-sails.
 
 326 PICTURfi 01? BAllbARY. 
 
 enemy opened a most tremeudous fire from the 
 whole of their batteries, when our headmost ships 
 commenced action. 
 
 2, 43. — Clewed up the main-top-sail, let go the 
 sheet and stream anchors, and brought the ship up 
 by the stern. 
 
 2. 49. — Let go the best bower anchor, and sprung 
 the ships's starboard broadside to the lighthouse 
 batteries of 3 tiers of guns, distance about 350 
 yards, the batteries to the S. E. of 2 tier, 2 other to 
 the S. W. and 1 of four guns bearing on us. 
 
 2. 50. — Commenced action. 
 
 3. 20. — The enemy's fire considerably slackened ; 
 our squadron keeping up a very heavy and well- 
 directed fire on the butteries and town ; run out the 
 kedge anchor on the starboard beam, to spring the 
 ship's broadside more towards the enemy. 
 
 3. 30. — All the enemy's works much injured, 
 their upper tiers totally abandoned, an<l the whole 
 of their standards (but one) struck or shot away. 
 
 4. 0. — An explosion took place on the main-deck, 
 occasioned by a shell from the enemy passing 
 through the screen of the after hatchway in the ad- 
 miral's cabin, which killed and wounded about fifty 
 of our men. 
 
 4. 24. — Captain Powell went with a message to 
 the commander-in-chief. 
 
 4. 30. — Sent the launch with a mortar, and the 
 flat boat w ith rockets, to bombard the town. 
 
 6. 50. — A fire broke out amongst the enemy's 
 ships in the Mole, our squadron keeping up a very 
 heavy cannonade, the enemy's fire still slackening. 
 
 S- 40. — A boat came on board from the com- 
 mander-in-chief, with orders to haul oflT, when the
 
 Lord Exmoutiis Attack upon Algiers. 327 
 
 explosion vessel under our direclions had l)lo\vn up, 
 as the ol'ject of the cxpediiion was wholly com- 
 pleted. Admiral Milne sent Captain Powell in his 
 gig to conduct the explosion vessel alongside of the 
 forts, [which he did, and it is but justice to this 
 officer, who served as a volunteer, to mention the 
 circumstance.] 
 
 9. 10. — The explosion vessel blew up close under 
 one of the forts, the whole of the enemy's ships and 
 gun-boats now in flames, and most of their batteries 
 destroyed. 
 
 9. 50. — The Mutine brig ran out a hawser, and 
 laid down an anchor for the ship to haul out by, 
 the whole of the squadron still keeping up a tre- 
 mendous fire on the town and batteries. 
 
 10. 15. — Cut the cables and sprin^rs, and hauled 
 out ; sent the boats a-head to tow ; bomb-vessels 
 and the boats of the squadron continuing to throw- 
 shells and rockets ; two of the enenjy's frigates on 
 fire drifting out, the others in the Mole still burning. 
 
 11. 15. — Came to anchor in forty fathoms water, 
 about "1^ miles from the town, the squadron bawl- 
 ing out. 
 
 Found the hull, masts, yards, and rigging very 
 much cut, upwards of fifty men killed, and about 
 one hundred and ninety men wounded. 
 
 Midnight — Sqn-illy weather, with thunder, light- 
 ning, and heavy rain, the enemy's ships and part of 
 the town still burning.
 
 328 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Particulars of the Aclio7i between the combined Squa- 
 drons of Sritaift and Holland, and the batteries of 
 Algiers, on the glorious 27th of August, 1816, 
 taken from minutes on board H. M. S. Superb . 
 
 The mornini^ of the 27th of August, 1816, pre- 
 sented to the view of the combined squadron the 
 city of Algiers, about six leagues on the weather- 
 bow. Anxiety to combat was depicted on every 
 countenance, and every bosom throbbed high to 
 cover themselves with honour, and rescue their fel- 
 low Christians from ignominous slavery. Every 
 sail was crowded with alacrity, and each ship of the 
 combined squadrons cleared for action. At 7 ob- 
 served a frigate standing out of the Bay under 
 French colours. At 9, the Severn went in with a 
 flag of truce, the fleets beating to windward with 
 light variable airs, under all possible sail. 
 
 At 1 1, 30, the Admiral made the signal for dinner, 
 to which we piped accordingly, and at 12, 25, P. M. 
 we beat to quarters, out with boats and manned 
 and armed them, eased the anchors down for let- 
 ting go, &c. the admiral having made the signal to 
 prepare to anchor and engage the enemy. At 2| we 
 bore up in the following order of battle ; Queen 
 Charlotte; Heron sloop as tender; Superb; Bri- 
 tomart tender ; Impregnable; Mutine tender; Min- 
 den ; Cordelia tender; Albion; Leander ; Glas- 
 gow ; Granicus ; Severn ; Hebrus, and Prome- 
 theus. At 2, 50, the admiral anchored, and moored 
 head an<l slern about sixty yards off" the Mole 
 Head. At 3, 10, being a cable's length from the 
 admiral and close under the batteries, we clewed up
 
 Lord ExmontlCs Attach upon Algiers. 3^ 
 
 the topsails to the mast-liead, and let j^o two bower 
 and two stern anchors, when theonemy fired a shot, 
 supposed to he either at us or the Queen Charlotte. 
 The admiral instantly returned it with a hroadside, 
 and a most tremendous fire coiumenced from tho 
 whole of the batteries, the ships anchoring in suc- 
 cession, and entering into a general action, with their 
 starboard broadsides, except the Dutch ships which 
 engaged on the larboard side. The Superb and 
 Granicus were opposed to a battery of 18 and 3*2 
 pouttders, about 60 in nundser. At 4, we observed 
 that our sliot made a consideralde impression on 
 the works, that they iiinche<l in their upper tier, and 
 had a great many guns disabled. At 5, observed 
 the battery a-beam ceasing firir.g their upper tier, 
 their guns being dismounted : but the enemy still 
 annoyed »;s from their lower tiers and with mus- 
 ketry, with as much fierceness as ever. 
 
 At 6, 50, the whole of the enemy's flotilla, con- 
 sisting of five frigates, six corvettes, brigs, schooners, 
 gun and row boats, &c. were in one blaze, and the 
 Queen Charlotte, to avoid danger, as they drifted 
 out, was obliged to shift her berth northward. The 
 upper tiers were now altogether silenced, and the 
 lower much slackened, tiie enemy rallying at their 
 guns at intervals, and teazing us with musketry 
 from their embrasures. 
 
 At B, 30, from keeping up such a brisk and con- 
 stant fire, we found our powder getting rather short. 
 Orders, therefore, were given to fire only at these 
 embrasures, v/iiich continued the action, and to 
 spell some of our g«ns. During all this time the 
 bombs and gun and rocket boats had performed 
 4heir duty on the enemy's town and works, with 
 
 9 u u
 
 330 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 visible effect. At 11, our captain, first, third, and 
 seventh lieutenants being wonnded, and the admi- 
 ral sending a boat for ships disabled to be taken in 
 tow, we slipped our cables, and our shattered state 
 only allowing us to set our mizen lop-sail, main top- 
 mast stay-sail, and sprit-sail, were towed out of 
 gun-shot by the Britomart, at the rate of about half 
 a knot an hour, exposed with the other ships, to a 
 raking fire from two solitary guns. On getting out 
 of hostile range, we found our three lower masts 
 and bowsprit, topmasts, lower and top-sail yards, 
 driver boom, and gaff, jib-boom, &c. very severely 
 injured, the rigging dreadfully cut up, our main- 
 mast with nine large shot through the heart of it, 
 besides being otherwise much cut up with grape 
 and langridge, nine shot between wind and water, 
 independent of many in the hull, and our loss in 
 killed and wounded nearly 100. The appearance 
 of the fleet standing out, with the glare of the ene- 
 my's burning ships and arsenal on their shattered 
 masts and sails, added to heavy peals of thunder 
 and vivid flashes of lightning, together with torrents 
 of rain, combined altogether to form a scene awful 
 and sublime beyond description. It seemed as if 
 heaven itself was determined to pour down his 
 vengeance, and exterminate these savage barba- 
 rians. 
 
 At 1, 30, A. M. we anchored with our only re- 
 maining anchor, the rest being \t(t behind, and after 
 giving our w earied lads a few hours rest, we turned 
 them up to clear the decks and repair damages. 
 In the morning the admiral sent in a flag of truce, 
 and the Dey returned word by the Swedish consul 
 that he would comply with any terms. The day
 
 Lord Exmoutlis Attack tipmi Algiers. 33 1 
 
 before he had lold liis principal officers that he 
 would have us to whitewasij his walls in less thau 
 half an hour after the conimencenient of the action ! ! 
 But what could witiistand a squadron led on by 
 Exmouth, and supported by justice and humanity^ 
 and in an inspiring cause, well worthy of British 
 seamen ? 
 
 At 1, P. M. on the 28th, we turned the hands up, 
 and read the admiral's thanks for their noble and 
 gallant behaviour, and told them that peace had- 
 been signed with the enemy on our own terms. 
 Our tars received the welcome intelligence with 
 three cheers, and then resumed their duty with that 
 ready cheerfulness which ever characterizes the 
 British sailor. On the ensuing day, the following 
 correspondence took place between our ship and 
 the Granicus. 
 
 Algiers Bay, August 29, 1816. 
 
 The ship's company of the little friirate that had 
 the honour to lay between the Queen Charlotte and 
 Superb, on the glorious 27th of August, 1816, beg 
 leave to express their high admiration of the noble 
 fire kept up by these ships on that glorious day, 
 by vvhich, in a great measure, the enemy's fire was 
 drawn from his Majesty's ship Granicus. 
 
 Superh's Answer. 
 
 Algiers Bay, August 29, 181 6. 
 
 The ship's company of the Superb return their 
 many thanks to the ship's company of the little fri- 
 gate for the high compliment they have been pleased 
 to pay them, and have only to hope that should
 
 S32 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 they ever again go into action, they may have a 
 Granicus to support them. 
 
 The enemy were not very nice in their use of 
 missiles. Broken glass, old nails, spikes, and other 
 articles of a simiiar'nature, were fired in profusion, 
 and did no little mischief. The nund^er of the 
 enemy's guns amounted to 1001, of different cali- 
 bres, one of them with seven bores on the Mole 
 Gateway, while that of the attacking squadron, ex- 
 clusive of six Dutch frigates, four bombs, and five 
 gun-boats, was only 702. 
 
 By mqniries, as to the amount of loss on the part 
 erf the Algerines, it appeared, that in killed only, 
 6000 Janissaries and from 5 to 6000 Arabs fell, be- 
 sides women and cliildren. A shell thrown from 
 one of the bombs burst in a house, where nine chil- 
 dren were assembled, and unhappily killed the 
 ■whole; and there was scarcely a house in the city, 
 but what had suffered more or less injury from the 
 bombardment. 
 
 An interesting event occurred on the beach, while 
 the treaty with the Dey was pending. Mr. Aitche- 
 son, a marine artillery officer, happening to meet a 
 Frenchman, who had been in captivity for fifteen 
 years, asked him if he would like to return to 
 France in the French ship which lay in the bay? 
 He indignantly replied, that he felt ashamed of his 
 country, but would go any where with the brave 
 English, who had so kindly liberated him. 
 
 ■ i
 
 Lord Exmontlis Attack upon Ali^icrs. 333 
 
 Captain Brisbane and the Dcij of Ali^iers. 
 
 The Journal des Dehais gives tlio following mi- 
 nute of a conversation piirporting to have taken 
 place between the Dov of Ali^iers and Captain Bris- 
 bane, by order of Lord Exnioutli : — 
 
 I informed the Dey, fhat Lord Exnionth re- 
 quired satisfaction for the insults offered to the 
 English consul and to the English nation. 
 
 The Dey answered, * I am ready to give it. — 
 What is it that you ask?' 
 
 I replied, • Express your extrenie displeasure at 
 the violence which, in the heat of the moment, you 
 have exercised towards the consul, and beg his 
 pardon for these violences.' 
 
 The Dey rejoined, ' Well ; I beg his pardon/ 
 
 To this I added — * Address yourself to the con- 
 sul, and beg his pardon.' — This he did in the pre- 
 sence of all his [ninisters. 
 
 (Signed) James Brisbane, Captain. 
 
 Witness — M;jjor Wm. Gossel. 
 
 In closing this long chapter, almost exclusively 
 devoted to a history of the late glorious attack upon 
 Algiers, and the signal cha«tisen;ont inflicted ui)on 
 these barbarians, we are constrained to admit, that 
 there never was an achievement which reflected a 
 purer glory on the British name — one undertaken 
 not from any merely British motives, but to defend 
 the general cause of humanitij, and vindicate the 
 rights of the civilized world. All observers agree
 
 a34 PICTURE OF liARBARY. 
 
 that in the case of a race at once mean and barba- 
 rous, fear is the only motive which can act with 
 sufficient force; and that a punishment, such as 
 cannot soon be forgotten, affords the only security 
 for their future moderation. The lesson which the 
 Algerines have just received is of this description ; 
 and there is, therefore, every reason to hope, that it 
 may be long and salutary.
 
 V
 
 335 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Recent State of Christian Slavery at Algiers y and in 
 the other Barbary States. — Employment of the 
 Captives — their hard fare and cruel treatment. 
 
 ▼ T E shall now proceed to detail some particulars 
 of that dreadful state of Christian slavery, which 
 lately existed at Algiers and in Barbary, — which 
 so justly excited the interest and sympathy, while 
 it called forth the indignation of the British people, 
 and gave rise to an expedition, the glorious result 
 of which we have just narrated. 
 
 To be placed under the absolute control of the 
 most brutal and corrupted of mortals, whom reli- 
 gious antipathy had divested of every human sym- 
 pathy — without any law or earthly power to appeal 
 to — the hopeless victims of brutal cruelty, and still 
 more brutal voluptuousness ; — this is certaitdy the 
 most dreadful fate to which human beings were 
 ever devoted : yet such has been the fate of thou- 
 sands of Europeans, among wliom w^ve often those, 
 who from rank, sex, and cultivation of mind, must 
 have been most keenly sensible of its horrors. 
 
 An interesting account of the treatment of slaves 
 at Algiers, is given in Mr. Stephens's description of 
 Algiers, &c. printed at Philadelphia in 1800. From 
 this book, as quoted in the very excellent " Sup-
 
 836 PICTURE OF BARIJARY. 
 
 plement to the Encyclopcedia Britaniiica," now pub- 
 lishing, we glean the following particulars. 
 
 On the 23rcl of October, i79'2, the American ship 
 President saw approaching an armed xebeck bear- 
 ing Spanish colours, till she came within gun-shot, 
 when she instantly hoisted the bloody flag and fired. 
 Escape was now impossible; the xebeck instantly 
 put out a boat with thirty armed men, who rowed fu- 
 riously towards the vessel, and boarded it with the 
 wildest shouts and outcries. No resistance being 
 made, they began to strip the crew with a fury 
 of avarice, of which it was impossible to foini an 
 idea. Sometimes several fell upon one American, 
 and fought over him for the clothes of which he was 
 stripl. Having ransacked every corner, they then 
 ordered the Americans to descend into the boat; 
 and those who showed any hesitatioii, were instantly 
 knocked down and kicked over into it. 
 
 On reaching Algiers, the distribution took place. 
 The Dey tirst made his choice, which was formerly 
 limited to an eighth of the whole, but now extends 
 to as great a number as he chooses to demand. 
 For this purpose they were conducted to the palace, 
 and drawn up in files along a court, where they 
 passed under review : having made the selection, he 
 dismissed the rest with the compliment, ^^ Go you 
 Christian dogs, and eat stones.^' The youngest were 
 eniployt'd in menial offices about the palace, the 
 rest were put to work in the marine and public 
 buildings. 
 
 Whenever a foreign vessel was in the port, they 
 were loaded with thirty or for'y pounds weight of 
 chains, in order to prevent their escape. Their 
 heaviest labour consisted in dragging immense
 
 Christian Slavery at Algiers. 337 
 
 stones from a neighbouring quarry, for the repair 
 and enlargement of the mole. A body of Turks 
 attenchxl to nr2:e them on, hut <rave no nid, nidess 
 by continually roarini^ out ////o;//Y*/y, "heave away," 
 \vith a noise so tremendous, that it was heard at 
 the distance of more than a league. 
 
 At niojit, these wretched men were locked up in 
 two hu<!:e buildings, called ba(rnios, the lower part 
 of whicii was employed for -^hops, and the upper 
 for the joint acconnnodatioti of the captives, and of 
 the ivild beasts belonging to the Dey. There was 
 no bed' in the place, and lliey were obliged to lie 
 on the floor, till their own ingenuity enabled (hem 
 to erect some humlde substitute. The daily allow- 
 ance of food was a pound of very bad bread, and 
 a small Cjuantity of oil. Many sunk imder this 
 acciimnlation of distress, and were carried to the 
 Spanish hospital, tlie only relief provided for their 
 miseries. The vSympathy of the American people 
 having been, at length, excited by reports of their 
 sufi'eriwgs, they opened a negociation, and at the 
 ex pence of nearly eight hundred lliousand dollars, 
 procured the release of the captives. 
 
 The observations made by Captain Croker agrefe 
 with the narrative of the Americans, and prove that 
 no improvement had taken j)lace since that time. 
 In .July, 1815, Captain Croker commanded the 
 Wizard sloop of war, which was ordered to Algiers 
 by Lord Exmouth, and on that service Ijeheld the 
 attack of a small Dutch squadron by tlie pirates, 
 who were, however, fortunately too wt-ak for it, or, 
 in the suflerings of the captive crews. Captain 
 Croker would have had to witness even more miser)^ 
 than it was otherwise his fate to encounter. AVhat 
 
 9 XX
 
 338 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 he did see, however, was quite sufficient ; for the 
 very day after his arrival at Algiers, on inquiring 
 into the purport of a paper which he saw in the 
 hands of the British Vice-consul, he found it to be 
 a subscription for the relief of nearly three hun- 
 dred Christian slaves, just arrived from Bona, the 
 most eastern part of Algiers, after a journey of 
 many days. These poor wretches having been 
 brought with the usual ceremony to the Dey's feet, 
 were ordered to their different destinations ; such 
 as were able to go to their Bani, or Prison, were 
 sent there ; but the far greater number were objects 
 for the Spanish hospital. 
 
 When Captain C, inquired into the particu- 
 lars of the capture of these wretched people, he 
 found, on the authority of all the consuls in Algiers, 
 that they were a part of three hundred and fifty- 
 seTen, who had been taken by two Algerine pirates, 
 carrying English colours, by which stratagem they 
 Avere decoyed within their reach. Landed at Bona, 
 these unhappy people had been driven to Algiers 
 like a herd of cattle. Such as were no longer able 
 to walk had been tied on mules, and many who had 
 become still more enfeebled, were murdered with- 
 out ceremony ! On their journey fifty-nine expired ! 
 One youth fell dead the very moment they brought 
 him to the feet of the Dey ; and within six days 
 from their arrival at Algiers, nearly seventy men 
 were delivered by death from the inhumanity of 
 these monsters in human shape! Captain C. on a 
 subsequent day visited the quarries, where he saw 
 the Christian slaves and the mules driven promis- 
 cuously to the same labour by their Algerine mas- 
 ters, and was struck with indignation and surprise,
 
 Christian Slavery at Algiers. 339^ 
 
 when they referred him to the British consul, to 
 prove that many of them were actnally made slaves, 
 whilst under English passport granted for the ex- 
 press purpose of supplying our armies with grain. 
 
 When the Island of Ponza was surrendered to 
 Britain, the great addition of the Britisii garrison 
 and squa<lron occasioned considerable anxiety for 
 the maintenance of the inhabitants themselves, as 
 well as of their new masters. Under this pressure, 
 the British commander encouraged a spirit of com 
 merce in the natives, by granting them passports to 
 different places to procure grain for the use of the 
 island, and as a further protection, to c;u-ry the Bri- 
 tish flag. What was the consequence? — when met 
 by the Algerines, they threw the British flag into 
 the sea, and dragged them into captivity; nor was 
 the English consul ever able to obtain their release. 
 
 The following is another similar case detailed by 
 Captain C. Two brothers of the name of Tereni, 
 Datives of Leghorn, returning from England to their 
 own country, although in possession of a passport 
 from General Oakes, were taken by the pirates, 
 robbed of 2000/. worth of property, and carried into 
 slavery. Their fate was made known in London, 
 and the Secretary of State directed the British con- 
 sul to use his influence for their release ; but all 
 that he was able to obtain for them, was permis- 
 sion to live under his protection, on the condition of 
 paying a dollar a niontii for not working in the 
 mines. 
 
 The prison for Christian slaves is thus described 
 by Captain C. This wreiched receptacle is placed 
 in one of the narrow streets of Algiers. On enter- 
 ing the gate there is a small square yard for the
 
 340 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 slaves to walk about ; in this place they are locked 
 lip every Friday ; and as on that day they do not 
 ■work, they are allowed nothing but water by the 
 Algerine governmeiit. For a single pound of bread 
 each, distributed to tlieni on this day, they are in- 
 debted to a charitable foundation by -aw A g ha, who, 
 having in his youth endured the misery of bondage, 
 left at his death a rent-charge upon his real pro- 
 perty, consecrated to that pious purpose.* From 
 this place t!ie captain ascended by a stone staircase 
 into a gallery, around which were rooms with naked 
 earthen Hoors and damp stone walls. Eacli of these 
 rooms was furnished with an iron-grated window 
 and a strong door, and two of them contained 
 twenty-four things resemldiug cot-frames, with twigs 
 interwoven in the middle: these were hung up one 
 above another round the room, and those slaves 
 alone were admitted to the luxury of such a bed 
 as could pay for it. Captain C. is a at loss for a 
 comparison for this loathsome prison and these 
 abominable cells ; if they had light, he thinks they 
 would most resemble the houses in which negroes 
 in the West Indies keep their pigs! The stench was 
 so intolerable, the captain and his v»'hole company 
 could scarcely endure it; one gentleman nearly 
 fainted. The food of the slaves consists of two 
 
 *It is worthy of remark, that mider the law of Mahomet, which 
 is far from being so anti-chrisli<in as is commonly supposed, the 
 jimt who Iras contributed to the relief of the poor white slaves is 
 an Algorine ^jg-Aa / and that (he tyrannical power uhich holds them 
 ill bondage, nevertheless watches over the faithful application of this 
 testamentary bequest : this is the ivor«?^— What says the Bible f 
 Go thou and do likewise.
 
 Christian Slavery at Alii'icra. 041 
 
 black loaves of half a pomid cacli, which are their 
 tlaily bread ; they are allowed neither meat nor ve- 
 getables, those excepted who work at th^; Marina, 
 who get ten olives a day, and such as are in tlie 
 Spanish iiospital, which that government snpports 
 as well as it is able. 
 
 The Spanish hospital was also visited by Captain 
 Croker, who saw its tloors covered with unhappy 
 beings of every age and of both sexes, men at the 
 age of sixty, and children who conld not be more 
 than eight, the whole of whom had their legs 
 swelled and cut in such a horrible manner, as 
 seemed to defy recovery. There, among several 
 Sicilian females, he saw a poor woman, v»ho hvu'st 
 into tears, and told him she was the mother of eight 
 children, and requested him to look at six of them, 
 who had been slaves with her for thirteen years! 
 " We left these scenes of horror," says Captain C. 
 " and in going into the country, I met the slaves 
 returning from their labour. The clang of the 
 chains of those who are heavily ironed, cajh-d my 
 attention to their extreme fatigue and dejection, 
 they l)eing attended by intidels with large whips!" 
 The women art' pr(>cured by descents on the Italian 
 coasts ; their fate is most horrible in every sense, as 
 well as that of their children, whether girls or boys! 
 As an additional evidence of tiie insults otlered 
 even to the consuls, Captain C. relates, that the 
 Danish consul was once taken to the Baui, and had 
 irons put uj)on hin), until Denmark paid some tri- 
 butary debt, and that he saw the Spanish Vice-con- 
 sul ivorking in irons with the other slaves ! 
 
 An anecdote recorded of Admiral Keppel, is ano- 
 ther instance of those gtists of passion, and sudden
 
 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 exhibitions of unruly temper which have always 
 characterised the reigning Dey of Algiers. While 
 Admiral Keppel commanded tiie squadron up tlie 
 Mediterranean, frequent complaints were made to 
 the ministry by the merchants trading* to the Levant, 
 of the piracies of the Algerines. These complaints 
 were passed over, till two ships richly laden were 
 taken and carried into Algiers. This was so flagrant 
 an infraction of treaties, that the ministry conld no 
 longer be silent; accordingly orders were sent to 
 the admiral to sail into the harb'our of Algiers, and 
 demand restitution of the Dey; and in case of re- 
 fusal, he had an unlimited power to make reprisals. 
 The admiral's squadron cast anchor in the offing, in 
 the bay of Algiers, facing the Dey's palace. He 
 went ashore, attended only by his captain and 
 barge's crew ; proceeded to the palace, demanded 
 an immediate audience ; and being conducted to 
 the Dey's presence, he laid open his embassy, and 
 in his master's name, demanded satisfaction for the 
 injuries done to the subjects of his Britannic ma- 
 jesty. Surprised and astonished at the boldness of 
 the admiral's remonstrance, the Dey exclaimed, 
 *' That he wondered at the English king's insolence 
 in sending him a foolish beardless boy." The ad- 
 miral replied, *' That if his master had supposed 
 that wisdom had been measured by the length of 
 the beard, he would have sent his Dey ship a he- 
 goat," Unused to such language from the syco- 
 phants of his court, this reply put him beside him- 
 self; and forgetting the laws of all nations in re- 
 spect to andjassadors, he ordered his mutes to at- 
 tend with the bow-string, at the same time telling 
 the admiral he should pay for his audacity with his
 
 ! Christian Slavery at Algiers. 343 
 
 life. Unmoved with this menace, the admiral took 
 him to the window facing the Bay ; and shcwinj^ 
 him the English fleet, lying at anclior, told him if it 
 was his pleasure to put him to deatii, there were 
 Englishmen enough in that fleet to make a glorious 
 funeral pile. The Dey was wise enough to take 
 the hint: the admiral came ofl" in safety, and am- 
 ple restitution was made. 
 
 So it was many years ago, and so it will be again, 
 as soon as the Algerines recover their strength, for 
 we cannot help thinking that the conquest or chas- 
 tisement of Algiers, upon any other principle than 
 that of annihilating this wretched system of 
 government, or rather robbery, is the most futile 
 thing possible. The French, the British, the Spa- 
 niards, and the Americans, have all in iheir turns 
 humbled them, as they have recently been hund)led 
 by British arms : but it has never abated their 
 insolence in the slightest degree, when tliey reco- 
 vered from the panic. Algerine politics are purely 
 piratical, and founded upon the law of the strongest. 
 They cease to rob when they can rob no longer, 
 and recommence as soon as they are able, and this 
 so regularly, that hypocrisy, one of the most hateful 
 of all vices, they must be acquitted of, for by a 
 general profession, all particular perfidy is rendered 
 legal. 
 
 Thus, when they think themselves strong enough 
 to demand tribute, they demand it, without the 
 slightest reference to the past, or taking the least 
 tronble to compose a well written manifesto in the 
 name of Alia and the prophet. A British consul 
 having remonstrated with a Dey of Algiers, on the 
 lawlessness of his corsairs, he exclaimed with
 
 344 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 mucli candour, " My good friend, what avails this 
 long story, tlie Algerines are thieves, and I am their 
 captain." Tiie code of Algiers is curious. If the 
 owner of a corsair loses it, he is obliged to build 
 another. All prisoners are considered as dead, 
 ransom never being proposed for them. Whatever 
 damage is done by bombardment from an enemy, 
 the sufferers are obliged to replace, or all that they 
 have left is confiscated. 
 
 The state of Tunis is not far behind that of Al- 
 giers in its unv\arran table detention of Christians 
 in slavery, though its general treatment of them is 
 soujewhat better than that in the other states ; 
 many instances liowever might be recorded of indivi- 
 dual cruelly and brutality which would disgrace the 
 wildest barlmrian that ever existed. When Mr. Mc. 
 Gill (whom we have before quoted) visited Tunis 
 in 1811, he saw thereabout two thousand Sicilian 
 slaves, no less than a hundred of whom had been 
 captured from under British passports. Among 
 these were a Sicilian lady and her five daughters, 
 who, as they approached maturity, were taken from 
 her, one after the other, to gratify the lust of their 
 barbarian master, the chief minister of the Bey. 
 One of these poor victims fell an early sacrifice, 
 and one with the mother was at length delivered 
 over to the British consul, whose influence, after 
 repeated trials, was successful to that extent, but 
 no further. What adds to the horror is, that if 
 they had been sons instead of daughters the result 
 would have been no way different. The outrages 
 of this natuie, to which wousen and children of both 
 sexes are liable, are unspeakable. 
 
 Great pains are taken to conrert the younger
 
 Christian Slavery at Algiers. 345 
 
 captives to Mahometanism, and as may naturally 
 be expected, generally with success. Of the habits 
 and ideas of these wretches, a notion may be formed 
 by an anecdote related by Mr. Mc. Gill of a little 
 Christian girl, of eight years of age, with whose 
 sprightly manners and promising person the Bey 
 was so taken, that he ordered l»er to be brought up 
 in the Mahometan faitli, and attended to as his fu- 
 ture wife. Unfortunately, however, or rather fortu- 
 nately, tlie child died of a fever, and escaped the 
 intended honour. 
 
 The same traveller relates another affecting anec- 
 dote, of three Georgian boys, kept by the same 
 brutal miscreant for the vilest purpose. These 
 youths, exasperated at their treatment, and the ad- 
 ditional cruelty of the minister under whose care 
 they were placed, attempted to assassinate the Bey, 
 and had nearly succeeded. The poor youths died, 
 sword in hand, fighting valiantly, although the 
 eldest of them was under sixteen years of age ! 
 
 Mr. Blaquiere, in his recent valuable " Letters 
 from the Mediterranean," affords some additional 
 particulars of the most cruel treatment of slaves at 
 Tunis, particularlj'y5r?»«/^5, whose sufferings inflicted 
 upon them by their diabolical masters, are of the 
 most revolting description. 
 
 In a letter, datgd from Tunis, in 1811, this 
 interesting author and amiable man, observes, 
 amidst a variety of considerations which deeply 
 interest the happiness of these powers, one circum- 
 stance is paramount to all others, and most power- 
 fully claims the exertions of a Briton, while it ex- 
 cite* his sympathy and commiseration : T allude to 
 
 9 Y Y
 
 346 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 the mihappy condition to which the slaves, who 
 are at present in the respective regencies, have long 
 been reduced. It would indeed require a pen, far 
 more energetic than mine, to paint the horrors of 
 their situation, or the extent of their sufferings; 
 but in recapitulating a few facts, you will be ena- 
 bled to form a faint idea of them. The number at 
 this moment in Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, ex-» 
 ceeds one thousand, amongst these, a fourth are 
 females. 
 
 The Mahometan, from religion, education, and 
 precepts, is taught to detest the name of a Chris- 
 tian ; what, therefore, must be the melancholy fate 
 of tho€e of our fellow creatures, who for ever be- 
 come the personal property of such people, but that 
 their life is a continued scene of the most poignant 
 sorrow and misery ? The eloquence of a British 
 senate has often been successfully exerted in the 
 cause of suffering humanity, and it is, I hope, re- 
 served for the liberality and benevolence of a British 
 administration, for ever to put an end to a system 
 which militates so much against the interests, duty, 
 and happiness of mankind. 
 
 As a specimen of the treatment to which the 
 unfortunate slaves now at this town are subject, I 
 shall select sixty men who are employed in the 
 immediate service of his Highness, upon some 
 public works near the city : during summer and 
 winterj.they rise at day-break, and work till dark ; 
 their daily allowance consists of the following— two 
 small rolls of literally black bread, and six grains 
 of copper, (equal to a penny English) the latter to 
 fmd them in clothes throughout the year; a monthly 
 nation of wheat and oil is added to the above ; of
 
 Christian Slavery at Ah^icrs. tliT 
 
 the former about two gallons, and lliree pints of 
 the latter; so that it will not be difficnit to conceive 
 from this statement, that tliese emblems of distress 
 are generally half naked. Two keepers, armed 
 with bludi^^eons, are their constant attendants, and 1 
 assert it as a positive fact, that the most severe cor- 
 poral punishment is continually ordered to be in- 
 flicted, without discrimination, on the commission; 
 of any crime to merit it. The bastinado, a punish- 
 ment well known in these countries, can sebloni 
 be avoided by any of the bey's (or his minister's) 
 slaves for more than a week; and from the numer- 
 ous testimonies which I have received, I have now 
 concluded, that the cruelty practised towards Chris- 
 tians, is considered by the Moors as a religious 
 duty. Such being the male captives' situation. 
 Jet us turn to the tate of that sex which has a still 
 more powerful claim upon our sympathy and feel- 
 ings. Those at Tunis are supposed to be about 
 two hundred, and no language can certainly equal 
 a description of the melancholy and heart-rending 
 situation to which they are reduced. I am con- 
 vinced that a recital of the facts I am acquainted 
 with, would be too much for the feelings of au 
 End ish reader: justice, however, demands that this 
 subject should be amply elucidated, and if any 
 thing can serve to illustrate the character and in- 
 exorable qualities, so conspicuous in the Tunisian, 
 it is in their persecutions and cruelties towards a 
 sex which one would be inclined to think likely to 
 excite some small degree of i)ity. 
 
 It has ever been the practice, on the arrival of 
 any female slaves in the regency of Tunis, that
 
 348 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 they should first be subject to a minute'examination, 
 by the bey, nho has the privilege of appropriating 
 any, which merit his highnesses approbation, to 
 the seraglio. When this choice takes place, their 
 fate becomes truly deplorable ; if not endowed with 
 the most prepossessing qualities, they are subjected 
 to every species of oppression and severity from the 
 Moorish women ; and a detern)ination to force a 
 change of religion is among the least of the cruel- 
 ties attendant on their situation. 
 
 A young woman, who had attracted the notice 
 of liis highness, was conveyed to the palace ; and 
 having, with a virtuous determination, resisted every 
 attempt made on her faith, as also other acts of 
 violence, she excited the bey's displeasure, and the 
 manner of gratifying his revenge was as follows : — 
 the unhappy victim was seized, and secured with 
 cords to a pillar, remaining in that situation for 
 three days, during which time every effort was used 
 on the part of her malignant persecutors to accom- 
 plish their object : her virtue triumphed, and she 
 was at length dismissed, having in the above short 
 period, received one thousand bastinadoes ! — Such 
 were the fortitude and religious resignation which 
 animated this unfortunate girl, that she did not 
 complain, nor even make the circumstance known 
 to a near relative, who is also in slavery. 
 
 The circumstance was communicated to me by 
 an old Sicilian slave, who has been many years 
 in captivity ; and it would be difficult to describe 
 his feelings, while relating to rae this most execra- 
 ble deed. The poor old man in concluding, burst 
 into tears ; and falling upon his knees, called upon
 
 Christian Slavery at Algiers. "" 349 
 
 God and the British nation to initijjjate tlie wretched 
 situation of his sufferinji: countrymen. 
 
 The above may be considered as an exact pic- 
 ture of the horrors to whicli female slavery is ex- 
 posed throughout the regencies of Tunis and 
 Algiers.* 
 
 A Moor, named Hajunis, lately spoliated of 
 nearly all his property by the bey, had a whole fa- 
 mily, natives of Pantalaria, in his service, having 
 orii^inally bought them at a very high price. They 
 were not taken away from him in the general w reck 
 of his fortunes: this family has been thirteen years 
 at Tunis ; and when first taken from their native 
 home, consisted of the father, mother, and five chil- 
 dren, two males and three females ; a boy and a girl 
 have died since their captivity. The father has of- 
 ten assured me that the death of his son was occa- 
 sioned by the excessive cruelty he experienced for 
 many causes, but more particularly for his refusal 
 to embrace Mahometanism. This was so insisted 
 on by his master, that it was only left for him to 
 choose between death and apostacy : the youth vir- 
 tuously preferred the former, and has added one 
 more to the many who have in this country fallea a 
 sacrifice to persecution. The disconsolate parents 
 continue, with the remainder of the family, to suffer 
 all the horrors of their situation. They^have two 
 daughters between eighteen and twenty-one years 
 of age. The appearance and amiable simplicity of 
 these victims of misfortune is extremely interesting; 
 the youngest, from her personal beauty, has been 
 destined to go through the various trials of misery 
 
 * At Tripoli there are no female slaves.
 
 ^0 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 peculiar to the rest of her sex in Tunis ; she has 
 for the last six years, in opposition to continued 
 corporal punishmeul, chains, and imprisonment, 
 supported the dignity of Christianity in an extraor- 
 dinary degree, shewing to her fellow-sufterers a 
 greatness of soul, as admirable in itself as it is ho- 
 nourable to her own character.* 
 
 The Tunisians do what the Algerines never do, 
 exchange their captives ; but with their usual ca- 
 pricious injustice, they claim five Moors tor two 
 Christians. They have a regular rate of ransom 
 for different nations, the lowest of ^vhich is the 
 British, amounting to fifteen hundred piastres per 
 individual. Wherever Bonaparte acquired domi- 
 nions in Italy, he immediately ransomed such of his 
 new subjects as were in Moorish slavery. This- 
 indeed was politic humanity, worthy of imitation^ 
 
 In taking leave of Tunis, we feel it our duty to 
 notice something connected with the iniquities of 
 this capital, which, however calculated to shock 
 the eye of delicacy, ought not to be suppressed 
 whilst professing to draw a true picture of manners 
 and customs. 
 
 It has already been shown, that every sense, either 
 of public or private virtue, is extinguished in this 
 part of the world : and it is a melancholy fact, that 
 the most unnatural propensities are practised by the 
 principal officers of state, as well as by the beys, 
 and that in the most open and profligate manner. 
 Tiie young Christian slaves are but too often the 
 objects of these horrid vices ; and the prime minis- 
 ter in the year 1811, whose conduct was more in- 
 
 * Letters from the Mediterrauean, vol. ii. p. 205, et seq.
 
 Chrisiian Slavery. 35 1 
 
 famously noiorious tlian that of his master, is said 
 to have owed his greatness and influence to his 
 ready acquiescence, when a slave, in these detest- 
 able practices. 
 
 It is unnecessary to say more upon this disgusting 
 subject, than that these vile crimes, originating with 
 the higher classes l)ave had that influence which 
 example never fails to produce, and are extended 
 all over the regency; so that by the mass of the 
 people they are no longer considered infamous.* 
 
 There is another species of slavery on the 
 African coast, not less painful than that which 
 we have just described. It is of shipwrecked 
 mariners; some particulars of which were given to 
 the world a few years since by Mr. Jackson, in 
 his account of the kingdom of Morocco, from 
 which Ave have before quoted. That part of the 
 
 •Another anecdote in confirmation of this remark, and we shall 
 drop the subject. Lorenza Lena, an interesting Italian girl, had 
 been a slave for seven years, and at last became the properly of Sidi 
 Mahomet Beneid, a monster of the most refined cruelty, and a per- 
 fect demon in the diabolical and infamous indulgence of a teeU- 
 known Moorish appetite. Resolute in refusing to submit to his 
 brutal desires, she was ordered to receive one thousand bastinado*$ 
 on the soles of her feet ; and for three months she was obliged to 
 endure all the pains of hunger and thirst, being limited to the daily 
 allowance of a handful of corn, some roots, and about two gills of 
 water. Still her mind was superior to torments almost indescrib- 
 able ; she survived her misery, and the lascivious beast was foiled 
 in bis purpose. Happy are we to say, that this unfortunate girl was 
 saved by the gallantry of a British officer, a few years since, who 
 effected her escape in the disguise of a young midshipman. But for 
 the interesting narrative of ibis noble exploit, and many curious 
 particulars connected with it, we must refer our readers to Mr. 
 Blaquiere's excellenfLetters from the Mediterrtnean," vol. ii. p. 2i«.
 
 353 PICTURE OF BARBARV. 
 
 African coast (he observes) which lies between the 
 latitudes of 20 and 3*2 degrees north, has been 
 differently laid down in various charts, but, per- 
 haps, never yet accurately. The Spaniards, who 
 fish on this coast eastward of the Canary Islands, 
 assure us that soundings are to be found quite 
 across to the Continent, and there is a tradition 
 amons: the Arabs, that in very remote asres those 
 islands formed part of the African continent. In 
 support of this tradition, it may be observed, that 
 the aborigines of Lancerotta resemble in manners, 
 in physiognomy, and in person, the Africans, and 
 retain some of their customs. 
 
 That part of the coast, which lies between the 
 above mentioned latitudes, is a desert country in- 
 terspersed with immense hills of loose sand, which 
 are from time to time driven by the wind into vari- 
 ous forms, and so impregnate the air with sand for 
 many miles out at sea, as to give to the atmosphere 
 an appearance of hazy weather : navigators not 
 aware of this circumstance, never suspect, during 
 such appearances, that they are near land, until they 
 discover the breakers on the coast, which is so ex- 
 tremely flat, that one may walk a mile into the 
 sea without being over the knees, so that ships 
 strike when at a considerable distance from the 
 beach ; added to this, there is a current, which sets 
 in from the west toward Africa, with inconceiv- 
 able force and rapidity, with which the navigator 
 being generally unacquainted, he loses his reckon- 
 ing, and in the course of a night, perhaps, when he 
 expects to clear the African coast in his passage 
 southward, he is alarmed with the appearance of 
 ehoal water, and before he has time to recover him-
 
 CJiristiaii Slavery. 353 
 
 self, finds his ship aground, on a desert shore, where 
 neither habitation nor human being is visible. In 
 this state, his fears are soon increased by a persua- 
 sion that be must either perish 'n\ fighting a liorde 
 of wild Arabs, or submit to become their captive ; 
 for soon after a ship strikes, some wandering Arabs 
 strolling from their duar in the Desert, perceive 
 the masts from the sand hills; and without coming 
 to the shore, repair to their horde, perliaps thirty 
 or forty miles oft", to apprize them of the wreck ; 
 when they immediately assemble, arming them- 
 selves with daggers, guns, ajid cudgels. Some- 
 times two or three days or more elapse before they 
 make their appearance on the coast, where they 
 await the usual alternative of ihe crew, either deli- 
 vering themselves up, rather than perish witli hun- 
 ger, or throwing themselves into the sea. When 
 the former takes place, quarrels frequently ensue 
 among the Arabs, about the possession of the 
 sailors, disputing for the captain or mate because 
 he is better dressed, or discovers himself to them 
 in some other way. They afterwards go in boats, 
 and take every thing portable from the vessel, and 
 then if the sea do not dash it to pieces, set fire to it, 
 in order that it may not serve as a warning to other 
 ships, which may be so unfortunate as to follow the 
 same course.* Sometimes in these wrecks, the poor 
 
 * We will here mention a stratagem by which a sailor a few years 
 since saved a ship on this coast, as it may be of use to some future 
 navigator : — The vessel was stranded, and one of the crew being 
 a Spaniard, who had been used to fish there from the Canaries, ad- 
 vised the captain to let go an anchor, as if the vessel were riding 
 and in safety ; some Arabs coming on board, the captain told them 
 9 z z
 
 354 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 seamen perceiving what savages they have to con- 
 tend with, (though they are far from being so savage 
 and inhospitable as their appearance indicates) de- 
 termine on making resistance, and by means of 
 cannon, small arms, &c. maintain a temporary de- 
 fence, until a few falling from the superiority of 
 numbers, they at length yield, and deliver them- 
 selves up. 
 
 The Arabs going nearly in a state of nature, 
 wearing nothing but a cloth or rag to cover their 
 nakedness, immediately strip their unhappy victims, 
 and march them up the country barefooted, like 
 themselves. The feet of Europeans, from their not 
 being accustomed, like the Arabs, to this mode of 
 travelling, soon begin to swell with the heat of the 
 burning sand over which they pass ; the Arab con- 
 sidering only his booty, does not give himself the 
 trouble to inquire into the cause of this, but abste- 
 mious and unexhausted himself, he conceives his 
 unfortunate captive will, by dint of fatigue and tra- 
 velling, become so too. In these marches the Eu- 
 ropeans suffer the pains of fatigue and hunger in a 
 most dreadful degree; for the Arab will go fifty 
 miles a day without tasting food, and at night will 
 content himself with a little barley-meal mixed with 
 cold water, miserable fare for an English seaman, 
 who (to use the term that is applied to the richest 
 men among the Arabs) eats meat every day. 
 
 to bring their gums and other produce, for they were come to trade 
 with them, and were going away again in a few days ; as it hap- 
 pened to be low water, the vessel on the return of the tide floated, 
 they then weighed anchor, and set sail, leaving the astonished Arabs 
 to wonder at their ingenuity.
 
 Christian Slavery. 355 
 
 They carry the Christian captives about the 
 Desert, to the (iiffereul markets to sell tlieni, for 
 they very soon discover that their habits of life 
 render them altogether unserviceable, or very infe- 
 rior to the black slaves, which they procure from 
 Timbijctoo. After travelling three days to one 
 market, iive to another, nay sometimes fourteen, 
 they at length become objects of commercial specQ- 
 latioi), and the itinerant Jew traders, who wander 
 about from Wedinoon to sell their uares, find means 
 to barter for them tobacco, salt, a cloth garment, 
 or any other thing, just as a combination of cir- 
 cumstances may offer, and then return to Wedinoon 
 with the purchase. If the Jew have a corres- 
 pondent at Mogador, he writes to him, that a ship 
 had- been wrecked, mentioning the flag or natioQ 
 she belonged to, and requests him to inform the 
 agent, or consul, of the nation of which the captain 
 is a subject; in the mean time flattering the poor 
 menv that they will shortly be liberated and sent to 
 Mogador, where they will meet their countrymen : 
 a long and tedious servitude, however, generally 
 follows, for want of a regular fund at Mogador for 
 the redemption of these people. The agent can do 
 nothing but write to the consul-general at Tangier; 
 this takes up nearly a month, before an answer is 
 received, and the merchants at Mogador being so 
 little protected by their respective governments, and 
 having various inmiediate uses for their money, are 
 Yery unwilling to advance for the European interest 
 of five per cent: so that the time lost in writing to 
 the government of the country to whom the unfor- 
 tunate captives belong, the necessity of procuring 
 the money for their purchase previous to their
 
 356 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 emancipation, and various other circumstances, 
 form impediments to their liberation. I knew an 
 instance where a merchant had advanced the money 
 for one of these captives, who, had his ransom not 
 been paid, would have been obliged to return to 
 the south, where he would have been sold, or com- 
 pelled to embrace the Mahometan religion ; for 
 the British Vice-consul had not the purchase money, 
 nor any orders to redeem him, having preriously 
 sent to the consul general an account of the pur- 
 chase of the rest of the crew. This wan was deli- 
 vered up by the merchant who had redeemed him, 
 to the British Vice-consul to whom he looked for 
 payment ; various applications were made to the 
 consul general, but the money was not paid two 
 years afterwards, all applications to government 
 having failed : a representation of the case was 
 next made to a society in London, which has been 
 established ever since the year 1724, for the re- 
 demption of British slaves in Turkey and Barbary, 
 which, after deliberating on the matter, agreed to 
 pay the merchant the money he had advanced. 
 The purchase money in this case, including the 
 cost of clothes, (for the man was naked when pur- 
 chased) did not amount altogether io forty poimds ; 
 there was, however, so much trouble attending the 
 accomplishment of the business, that no individual 
 merchant has since ventured to make an advance 
 on a similar security, for, not to mention the ditfi- 
 culty of recovering the principal at the expiration 
 of a long period, the value of money is such at 
 Mogador that merchants are unwilling to advance 
 it at a low interest, six per cent, per month being 
 often paid for it. It is in this manner that the subjects
 
 Christian Slavery. 357 
 
 of a great maritime power have been nefjlectetl in a 
 country where, by adopting a few political regula- 
 tions, all the hardships of bondage might be pre- 
 vented.* 
 
 The bequest alluded to by Mr. Jackson, was that 
 of a Mr. Thomas Bretton, a Turkey merchant, 
 who gave by will to the Ironmongers' Company in 
 trust about twenty-six thousand pounds, one 
 half of the profits of which was to be perpetually 
 employed in the redemj)tion of British captives from 
 Moorish slavery, and the other half to be equally 
 distributed between the poor of the Company, and 
 the several charity schools within the city and 
 liberty thereof. There is a fund also in the hands 
 of the Recorder, intended for the same benevolent 
 purpose. 
 
 Another instance of our countrymen having been 
 relieved from African bondage, by the fund left to 
 the Ironmongers' Company, occurred a few years 
 since. It was in the territcu-y of Algiers, called 
 Gigiri, the inhabitants of which continue in a state 
 of the utmost ignorance and barbarity, and entirely 
 uncontrolled by the Dey. An English vessel hap- 
 pened to be wrecked in this quarter, in 1807, and 
 the crew, consisting of sixteen persons, were imme- 
 diately carried up tlie country, where they were 
 sold to different masters, and devoted to the most 
 severe labour ; n©r was it in their power to commu- 
 nicate with our consul-general at Algiers for se- 
 veral months: when that took place, Mr. Blankley, 
 with the zeal and humanity for which he is so emi- 
 nently distinguished, instantly applied for their 
 
 • See Jackson's Account of Morocco, p. 22().
 
 558 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 liberation, and obtained it for a very trifling consi- 
 deration, which he first paid out of his own pocket, , 
 and then applied to the funds in England : to the 
 recorder his application was in vain, but the Iron- 
 mongers' Company, with a liberality only known to 
 British cori)orate bodies, paid immediate attention 
 to the consul's demand, and in a letter, every line 
 of which breathed sentiments of humanity, thanked 
 him for his conduct, and proffered future aid when- 
 ever it should be rendered necessary.* 
 
 Whilst the Europeans remain in the hands of the 
 Arabs and Jews, they are employed in various do- 
 mestic services, such as bringing water, possibly 
 the distance of nine or ten miles, to the habitation,, 
 and in collecting fire-wood. In performing these 
 offices, their feet, being bare, and treading on the 
 heated sand, become blistered and inflamed, the 
 sandy particles penetrate into these blisters when 
 broken, and irritate in such a manner as sometimes 
 to cause mortification and death. The young lads,, 
 of which there are generally two or three in every 
 ship's crew, are often seduced by the Arabs to be- 
 come Mahometans ; in this case, the shaick or 
 chief of the duar adopts him, and initiates him in 
 tlie Koran, by sending him to the Mdursa, (semi- 
 nary) where he learns to read the sacred volume, 
 and is instructed in the pronunciation of the Arabic 
 language ; he is named after the shaick who adopts 
 him, after which an iVrabian woman is offered to 
 him as a wife; he marries, has a family, and be- 
 comes one of the clan, thus abandoning for ever his 
 native country and connections. 
 
 * Blaquiere's Letters, vol. ii. p. 203, Note.
 
 Christian Slavery. 359 
 
 'Of the vessels wrecked from time to time on the 
 coast of the Desert, or Sahara, many are probably 
 never heard of, and if any of the crew survive their 
 hardships, they are induced, seeing no prospect of 
 emancipation, to become Mahometans, and no- 
 thing is afterwards known or heard of them ; the 
 Tessel is supposed to have foundered at sea, and 
 all passes into oblivion. Of vessels whose loss 
 has been learnt by accident, (sucli as the sailors 
 falling into the hands of Wedinoon Jews, or Moors,) 
 there may have been from the year 1790 to the year 
 1806, thirty of different nations, part of whose 
 crews have afterwards found their way to Morocco, 
 and given some account of their catastrophe ; these 
 may be thus divided : — 
 
 English, 17. — French, 5. — American, 5. — Dutch, 
 Danish, Swedish, &c. 3. 
 
 Of the English vessels the crews probably 
 amounted to 200 men and boys, who may be thus 
 accounted for : 
 
 Young men and boys either drowned, killed, 
 or induced to embrace the Mahometan 
 religion, - - - 40 
 
 Old men and others killed by the Arabs in the 
 first scuffle, when making opposition, or 
 defending themselves; also, drowned in get- 
 ting ashore, - - - 40 
 
 Dispersed in various parts of the Desert, after 
 a lapse of time, in consequence of the con- 
 sul making no offers sufficiently advantage- 
 ous to induce the Arabs to bring them to 
 Mogador (which should always be done as
 
 360 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 soon as possible after the wreck, and a price 
 given superior to that of a native slave,) 40 
 
 120 
 
 Redeemed after a tedious existence among 
 the Arabs of from one to five years, origi- 
 nating from various causes, such as a want 
 of application being made through the pro- 
 per channel, want of remitting money for 
 their purchase, &c. &c. - - 80 
 
 If any nation of Europe ought to inquire into 
 the mode of remedying this evil, it is certainly 
 Great Britain, whose influence at the court of Mo- 
 rocco miglit be made very considerable, and ad- 
 vantageous to the country ; a trifling sum would 
 be sufficient at Mogador, if deposited in the hands 
 of the vice-consul, or any merchant of respectabi- 
 lity, where it might remain ready to be employed 
 in the purchase of these unfortunate people, and 
 by allowing a sum rather above the price of a black 
 slave, the Arabs would immediately bring them to 
 Mogador, knowing they could depend on an ade- 
 quate price; by this means they might be procured 
 for half what they now cost; and it would be an 
 infinitely better plan than that of soliciting the 
 Emperor to procure them through the bashaw of 
 Suse ; for, besides the delay, and consequent pro- 
 tracted sufferings of the captives, the favour is con- 
 sidered by the Emperor as incalculably more than 
 the cost and charges of their purchase. 
 
 It is generally a month or two before the news of 
 a shipwreck reaches Mogador, at which time, if a 
 fund were there deposited, a hundred and fifty
 
 Christian Slavery. 361 
 
 dollars would be sufficient to purchase each man ; 
 yet, often from the scarcity of specie, and the vari- 
 ous demands whic.'i the merchants have for their 
 money, tliey have it not in their power (however 
 charitably disposed) to redeem these poor men ; 
 and if they do, it is at their own risk, and they must 
 wait to know if the government cliooses to reim- 
 burse their expenses.* 
 
 In concluding- this chapter, it were an injustice 
 to the Dey of Algiers, and the boy of Tunis, to 
 omit noticing the tyrannical acts of their brother of 
 Tripoli, who emulates these rival sovereigns in the 
 most wanton acts of oppression and cruelty. We 
 select the following instances, therefore, from Mr, 
 Blaquiere's Narrative. 
 
 A dispute having- arisen between one of the 
 Maltese inn-keepers, and the Jew who fjirnis the 
 exclusive rigid of importing spirits arid wine, the 
 latter struck the Maltese, and cut his head open ; 
 the matter being- naturally brought before our con- 
 sul, under whose immediate protection the natives 
 of Malta are placed, as being British subjects; he 
 remonstrated strongly with the bashaw, and even 
 insisted on the Jew being punished for his conduct; 
 but far from paying the smallest attention to his 
 representation, his highness gave the aft'iir a partial 
 hearing, and influenced by the Jew's assertions, 
 granted a teskira, or written order, for the expulsion 
 of the Maltese from Tripoli, by which the unfortu- 
 nate man was ruined! The consul determined to 
 persevere in the execution of his duty, particularly 
 
 * Jackson's Account of Morocco, p. 232. 
 10 3 A
 
 342 PICTURE OP BARBARY. 
 
 in a case wherein such a gross insult had beea 
 oflered to the British nation, and ihe treaty violated, 
 could not even siicreed in obtaining: an audience 
 for some time, although that can never be denied, 
 as stipulated in the treaties. When he did, and 
 proceeded to vindicate the injured rights of an 
 English subject, as became the agent of his Ma- 
 jesty, his liighness flew into a most violent rage, 
 and starting from his throne, ran towards Mr. 
 Langford ; when, being on the point of drawing one 
 of his pistols, the attendants interposed, and repre- 
 sented the rashness of his conduct. After this 
 affair, the British consul never went near th« 
 bashaw's person, although alternately threatened 
 and invited to do so, for upwards of six months; 
 until his highness recognizing his errors, apologized, 
 and caused a royal salute of twenty-eight guns to 
 be fired in honour of his Britannic majesty. 
 
 In addition to the above, another instance of 
 the bashaw's violence, and of a still more out- 
 rageous cast, remains to be told. Having con- 
 ceived a dislike to the Portuguese consul, Mr. 
 M'Donogh, who had rendered his highness the 
 most important services, during a residence of 
 nineteen years in the regency, a messenger was one 
 day sent to his house to inform him from the ba- 
 shaw, •* that understanding he was about to leave 
 Tripoli, (for in fact Mr. M'Donogh having arranged 
 some matters in which the Spanish interests were 
 very deeply involved, was going back to Cadiz with 
 the result of his negociation,) his highness begged to 
 remind him that until a debt of four thousand Spa- 
 nish dollars, alleged to be due to some Jews by 
 Mr. M'Donogh, should be paid, he could not lear*
 
 Christian Slavery. 363 
 
 the Regency; and furtlierniore, if he did not pay it 
 immediately, the hashaw wonhl put hint in prison 
 and load him with irons?." It was in vain that .Mr. 
 M'Don(^<i,ii represented his beinj; tofally ignorant 
 of any del)t of the kind ; and in his reiterated ex- 
 planations observed, that after a lapse of so many 
 years, it was very sinp^nlar sncl» a demand should 
 have been made on him: he therefore, for some 
 time, resisted the demand, until a ;j;uard was ac- 
 tually placed at his door to prevent his goiny; out; 
 in fact, converting the consular liouse of a fri(MidIy 
 state, particularly the near ally of England, into a 
 prison. Naturally alarmed at the extraordinary 
 conduct of his highness, any furrher remonstrance 
 was useless, and Mr, M'D:)nogh (()nsent(-'d to give 
 bills on London for a sum, thus extorted from hiu], 
 in hope that the sacrifice, great as it was, miii:ht lead 
 to his emancipation : it did not, however, produce 
 any such effect; for having delivered the bills of 
 exchange, he was informed that he could not leave 
 Tripoli, till the payment of these Ijills was ascer- 
 tained ! Tliis much injured personage was therefore, 
 contrary to every law of justice and reason, forcibly 
 detained for several months afterwinds ; and even 
 when the account of his bills having been taken up, 
 came to this place, found considerable difficulty in 
 getting away.
 
 364 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Narrative of a JBritish Seaman ivJio was detained 
 fifteen years a prisoner by the Algerines, — the way 
 in ivhich he was treated by them, and the numerous 
 cruellies whieh he silvered during his long Cap- 
 tivity, — Ids return to England, and his reception 
 there. — Written by himself 
 
 ▼ T ITHIN eii^ht aiifl forty hours after I was sold,* 
 I tasted of Algerine barbarity ; for I had my tender 
 feet tied up, and beaten twenty or thirty blows for 
 a beginning: and thus was I beat for a consider^ 
 able time, every two or three days, besides blows now 
 and then, forty, fifty, sixty, at a time. My execu- 
 tioner would fill his pipe, and then give me ten or 
 twenty blows, then stop, and smoke his pipe for a 
 while, and then he would at me again ; and when 
 weary stop again ; thus cruelly would he handle me 
 till his pipe was out. At other times, he would hang 
 me up neck and heels, and then beat me njiserably. 
 Som^iinies he would hang me up by the arm-pits, 
 beating me all over my body. And oftentimes hot 
 brine was ordered for me to put my feet in, after 
 
 *For an account of the manner in which the writer was takeu 
 prisoner by the Algerines, and his being sold as a slave, see p. 23. 
 The present narrative is given verbatim from this honest seaman's 
 journal, a plain unvarnished tale, and as such is entitled to the 
 highest credit.
 
 Cftptivilij of a British Seaman. 3fi5 
 
 they were sore vAi'th beatini^; wliirh made llieiii 
 smart exceedingly, imd put me to iiitoleraiile pain. 
 Sometimes I have l)ecn beaten on my feet so long, 
 and cruelly, that the blood bath ran down to the 
 ground. Bnt as I shall |)resently speak further of 
 the cruelties which ] snflered, I shall only say for 
 the present, that 1 have oftentimes l)een beaten by 
 my patroon (master) so violently, that 1 have not 
 been able to sit for a considerable time.* 
 
 I was sold three times; my tirst patroon was 
 called Mustapha, the s« cond Ibraham, and the third 
 Eumer: but I must needs ackuowledjoe, that with 
 my last patroon 1 lived very comfortably. But this 
 was not satisfaction ; I longed still to be gone out 
 of this country, and iny chief reason was, tiiat I 
 might worship God as 1 ought. As for the Maho- 
 metan worship, I was persuaded it could not be 
 agreeable to his will ; and 1 suppose every one must 
 agree with me herein, if they have read an impartial 
 account of it.'| 
 
 My first patroon would, when exercising his bar- 
 barous cruelty upon me, press me to turn mussul- 
 mati ; but all this while I did not believe that he 
 was really willing I should so do, but only he nn'ght 
 
 *Tlie correction tliey will give scholars, or children at work, is 
 beating them on the bare feet ; and the puuishinenl iiiHicted on 
 soldiers, is beating ihens on the buttocks, and this frequent l\ with 
 such severity, though the crime be not very great, as to make the 
 blood come out through liieir drawers; and somelimes the flesh 
 mortifies thereupon, so that they must have some part cut off in 
 order to a cure. If they are so rigorous and severe among them- 
 selves, well may you think what cruelty they exercise towards the 
 poor captives ! 
 
 t See an account of the Mahometan religion, at p. 1<59.
 
 3(55 PICTURE OF BARBAllY. 
 
 think, thnt he (liscliarirefl his rlnty in importuning; 
 me thtreiinto. Ann my reason why I ihon^ht so, 
 is, hecaiise i kn<Mv at that time he could iiad'y sns- 
 tain snc'li a h)ss ; for it was not very lorji>- heCnre he 
 bonght a liule l>oy of Dover, who soon renoruiced 
 his holy religion, and died some years afterwards. 
 This cruel man I lived wilh abonl two or three 
 months, and then he sent me to sea irj one of the 
 ships to alteiifl upon the toepgee bashe, or tlie head 
 gunner. We made, as they said, l)nt a very indif- 
 ferent voyaije, for we took hnt one ship, and that a 
 Portuonese, with eighteen slaves. We were out 
 about two months, to my great ease and content; 
 but w lien we were returning to Algiers, and I out 
 of hopes of being retaken for that time, niy heart 
 began to be heavy with the thoughts of entering 
 again into my former misery : hut there was no re- 
 medy but patience; into the hands of the tyrant I 
 must fall again. Bnt, blessed be God, within a few 
 days he sold me, and so I was out of the possession 
 of that iidiuman wretch. 
 
 When I was selling, in the shop where I was at 
 work, I understood nothing of the matter; but the 
 bargain being concluded, my new patroon and two 
 friends that were witii him, went up stairs, and I 
 followed them. My clothes were taken and packed 
 up, and away I must go. I thought now 1 should 
 have three patroons, which I was afraid would be 
 worse than one; but a Moor who lived on the other 
 side of the way, knowing what an hard patroon I 
 had, because he had often seen me heaten in the 
 shop, bid his slave, who was an Englishman, tell 
 me my new patroon was better than the old. This 
 comforted me a little. My new patroon not living
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 307 
 
 in Algiers, took me to a (Vienil's liotiso of iiis, wlio 
 kept a mistress in the house, and wiih lu-r was I 
 left. In the eveiiiii"^ tin; man of the lionse ranie 
 with my patroon, who l)roni^ht a madam wiih him. 
 A tavenier, at the satne time, hroni^ht wint- and vic- 
 tuals, on which they were very meny. I lie next 
 morninji; they went out, and left me aiiain with the 
 woman. When the taverner, wjio was a Spaniard, 
 came for his bottles, I desired him io a^k her, 
 what my patroon designed to do with me? Sh«* lold 
 him, I was honiiht to he made a pieseni of to his 
 brother at Tunis. And there, says the Spaniard, 
 you may, perhaps, in time, be redeemed by tiie con- 
 sul ; which made tne much easier tlian I wa^ before. 
 My second patroon lived in t!ie country, and wa« 
 called by the name of dilherre Jbnt/nm, i. e. hand- 
 some Abraham ; for note, tiial the Turks are mostly 
 nick-named, especially those that are soldiers. If 
 a man be blind in one eye, they call iiim Blind 
 Hugh, or what his name is. If tall, Lonic such an 
 one. If short. Short such an one. If in his younger 
 days given to niuch drinking, Sorliowsh, or Dnmken 
 «uch an one. If black-browed, then bla* k-browed 
 such an one; which is esteeined the greaies, beauty 
 among them, &c. Besides, this way of nick-na(ning, 
 they often use another manner of distinction, calling 
 men by the name of their country : as Exeter John, 
 Welsh Tom, or the like. But all this by the wa>. He 
 had several slaves, both Christians and negroes; and 
 I happened to lose a shirt, "»hi('h indeedw;u scarce 
 worth looking after ; and it seems one of i lie ne- 
 groes had stolen it. 1 had it again, and -.id but 
 little about the matter. But some time all* r ihis, I 
 lost my jacket ; whereupon I made my complaint
 
 368 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 to our patroon ; he tolrl me, he would beat all the 
 slaves round but he Mould find out fhe thief. Upon 
 which, one of the negroes stood up, and said, " Sir, 
 there is no reason that all should suffer for one ; and 
 therefore, if I may presume so far, there is at Bleda, 
 a place about three miles from our country house, 
 a black woman, who can, as they say, tell fortunes, 
 and inform people where their lost ii:oods are." 
 Upon which, my patroon appointed two negroes to 
 go with me to the said cunning woman. When we 
 came into her house, 1 told her, that we came to be 
 informed of something by her. Upon which she 
 took a thing like a dish, and put meal into i(, and 
 after she liad smoothed over the meal, and made it 
 plain, she bid me put my hand on it, and withal, to 
 think within myself what I would be informed of. 
 Accordingly I did, and Fny thought was to know 
 where my jacket was. In two or three minutes 
 time she told me, that I had some time before lost 
 a white thing. 1 told her 1 had so ; which I un- 
 derstood to be my shirt. She then answered me, 
 that the same person who stole my shirt had stolen 
 my jacket; which proved to be the negro aforesaid, 
 by his own confession. I was much surprised at 
 this discovery, but repent of my folly in going to 
 such a person on any such account. 
 
 This my second patroon had two brothers in 
 Algiers, and a third in Tunis. The middle brother 
 had rlesigued to make a voyage to Tunis, to see his 
 brother there ; and, it seems, I was bought in order 
 to be given as a present to him. I was then clothed 
 very fine, that I might be the better accepted. The 
 ship being ready, we put to sea, and in about four-
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 369 
 
 teen or fifteen days time we arrived at Tunis, and 
 went forthwith to my patroon's brother's hon<;e, who 
 had two wives, which live(i each in a house dis- 
 tant from one another. The next day my patroon's 
 brother's son, taklnj^ a pride to have a Christian to 
 wait npon liini, made me walk after him. I was 
 ready and ghid to do it, l)ecanse I was dt-sirons to see 
 the city. As I was attendinir npon my new master 
 throngh the streets, I met witii a j:::«*ntleman habited 
 like a Chnstian, not knowin;!!; Iiim to be an Emrlish- 
 man, as he was. He looked earnestly upon me, 
 and aske(i me, v.hether I was not an Enubshman? 
 I answered him, yea. How canie yon liither? >aid 
 he. I told him I came with my palroon. What, 
 are you a slave? said he. 1 replied, yes. To what 
 place do you belong? continned lie. To Alj^iers, 
 quoth I. JBut he was not willin*]j to enter into any 
 further disconrse with me in the public street, and 
 therefore desired the young man on whom I waited, 
 that he would please, at such an hour of the day, to 
 bring me to his house, with a promise of an hearty 
 welcome. The young man assured \\'\m he would ; 
 for beins: a drinker of wine, and knowino; the 
 plenty of it in the said gentleman's house, he was 
 the rather willing to go. 
 
 After the gentleman was gone from us, my new 
 young master told me, that he whom we talked 
 with was the English consiu ; which I was glad to 
 liear. We went, as appointed, to the consul's 
 house, where, when we canje, 1 was directed up 
 to his chamber, the young spark in the nn^an time 
 being eating and drinking in anittiicr room. The 
 consul asked me many question.^ about my comitry, 
 parentage, &c. And withal, whether I could write, 
 
 10 3 3
 
 370 PlflTOm Of BAKBAlilY. 
 
 and understood arithmetic. I told him I could d« 
 both tolerably. He called for pen, ink, and paper, 
 and bid uie write a line. The words which cai«€ 
 into my mind, I very well remember, were these. 
 The Lord be my guide, in him I iiHl trust; which 
 he seemed very well pleased with. Then he asked 
 me what I thought was the inducement for my pa- 
 troon to buy tiie ; I told him, he designed me for a 
 present to his brother here, at Tunis. Upon the 
 whole, the consul kindly told me, if I were left in 
 Tunis, he would order malters to my salisfactioo; 
 but if my patroon designed to carry me back agaia 
 to Algiers, 1 should acquaint him with it in season: 
 and in the mean time, he bid me, if 1 had so much 
 liberty to come every day to his house, where I 
 should be welcome. 
 
 After I bad been in Tunis about thirty days, I 
 understood that my patroon's brother cared not to 
 accept of me, and that therefore I was to return to 
 Algiers. This very much troubled me; upon which 
 I went to the consul and acquainted him with it. 
 The consul told me, that he and other two mer- 
 chants (there being no more English merchants ia 
 the town) would the next day come and talk with 
 my patroon about me ; and that if his demands 
 vere not too high, they would purchase my re- 
 demption. And if so, says he, you must tarry two 
 or three years (seven said I) with me, and then yow 
 shall go home when I do. They came accordingly 
 with their interpreter, and asked him whether h« 
 was willing to sell me; he told them he was, upon 
 terms. They asked him what price he put upon 
 me; he told them five hundred dollars, which was, 
 I suppose, three hundred more than he bought m*
 
 Captivity of a British Semnafi. 371 
 
 for. They oflferod two liuiulred ; lie made a sliglit 
 of that, and lanjrhed at them. They ailvMiirerl to 
 two luiiidrefl and lilty dollars; he still inad» a pish 
 of it. They at leniith came up to three hmi'lred 
 dollars, which is near sixty ponnrJs slerline ; hnt my 
 patrooi) plainly told them, he wojdd iioi nbau- one 
 asper, i. e. about five fartliinirs, ot his demands. 
 At which the consul told me that I mnsf hav«' pa- 
 tience, for a hundred pounds was a cou'^ideralile 
 sum to he contributed by three only, ami Provi- 
 dence mii^ht work some other way. Upo!» hearing 
 this, 1 burst into tears, uotvvithstaudinp:, relnrning 
 them a thousand thanks for their ofenerousii^oodvvilh 
 The consul \nU\ his hand on my head, aufl bid me 
 serve God and be cheerful ; and promi-sed me, that 
 as soon as he returned to England he wotdd prefer 
 a petition to the king for me, and so parted from 
 me. 
 
 My hopes were thus all dashed, which was no 
 small trouble to me; but patience overcomes all 
 disappoinlments and afflictions. 
 
 My patroon now carried me on board in order to 
 go back again for Algiers, The vessel in which 
 we went was bound no further than Bona, whieh is 
 near half way to Algiers; so that when we came 
 thither my patroon hired two muleK, on wlmh we 
 came U\ land to Algiers, which is about luo hun- 
 dred and tifty miles. 
 
 About (wo months after this, my chief patroon, 
 being captain of a troop of lior^^e, was s( nt to 
 Tunix by land, with about twenty sjhihys, au'l car- 
 ried me with him also; so that 1 \\ as uor \\;iiiring 
 from Tunis above four months before \\\\ second 
 coming thither. The next day after we came now
 
 372 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 to Tunis, I was sent out on an errand, and acci^ 
 dentally met with the \^orthy consul again. When he 
 saw me, what, my boy said he, art thou come aj^^ain ? 
 Yes sii , said J, I came now with my chief patroon. 
 While \()n were absent, said he, I bous^ht a young 
 man for uiy purpose, for considerably less than I of- 
 fered for you ; but however you may tell this your 
 patroon, that if he be disposed to sell you, I will 
 stand to n)y proposal. I gave him many thanks, and 
 went immediately, and told my patroon of it ; who 
 surlily answered me, seule maug keu pek i. e. hold 
 youi peace you dog! I saw that tliere was no good 
 to be done w ith him, and therefore desisted. 
 
 We returned back to Algiers in some small time; 
 and a little after that, he carried me into camp with 
 him ; and it so happened, that his^two brothers be- 
 ing spaht/s, or troopers., were with him in one and 
 the same tent. His younger brother would be fre- 
 quently behind his back, and sometimes before his 
 face, persuading me to turn Mahometan, and to 
 gain me made me large offers; but [ liitle regarded 
 them. And I can truly appeal to Alinighiy God, 
 that it was not out of choice, or inclination, or pei- 
 suasion, or any temporal advantage, that 1 became 
 a Mahometan, for I abhorred the thoughts of such 
 an apostasy. 
 
 The ehiest brother, who was my chief patroon, 
 I found was not very fond of my turning; for he 
 would often threaten me, that if 1 did turn Turk, 
 and did not learn my book well, he would beat me 
 soundly. But when his younger brother, who had 
 been so often pampering with me, saw that no argu- 
 ments nor offers would prevail, he began to lie very 
 close to his brother to force me to turn ; and as an
 
 Captivity of a British Sccmmn. 375 
 
 argument, would often tell him, *♦ that he had been 
 a profliiiHte and dt'limiched man in Ids time, and a 
 iniirdt'ier; and thut the piosel\ liiii;- me uoiddbe 
 some sort of an atoiic-meiit for his past impielies; 
 and f.ally 'old hin», that t)thtivvise he would never 
 go It) heaven." Whereupon, as ouiliy men are wil- 
 ling to lay hohi on every preteu'e to happiness, 
 though never so slii;ht and i»roun(lless, the eldest 
 brother endeavoured to persuade me; and hnding 
 that would not do, he threatened to send n:e hun- 
 dreds of miles ofi" into the country, where I shoidd 
 never see tlie face of any Christian. But Hnding 
 all these methods to be ineffectual to the end they 
 drove at, the two brothers consulted together, and 
 resolved upon cruelly and violence, to see what 
 that would do. 
 
 Accordingly, on a certain day, when my patroon's 
 barber came to trim him, I being there to give at- 
 tendance, my patroon bid me kneel i\o\\n before 
 hill) ; which I did : he then ordered the barber to 
 cut off my hair with his scissars ; but 1 mi>lru-ting 
 somewliat of their design, struggled uiih them; 
 but by stronger force my hair was cut oil", and then 
 the barber went about to shave my head, my patroon 
 all the while holding my hands. I kept shaking 
 my head, and he kept striking me in the face. 
 After njy head, with nuich ado, was shaved, my 
 patroon would have me take oti" njy clothes, and 
 put on the Turkish habit; I lold him plainly I 
 would not; win reupon 1 wa> forihuith ( auled 
 away to another .eni, in uhieii we kept our pro- 
 vision ; where were two men, \iz, the cook and the 
 steward ; one of which held me, while the other
 
 374 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 stripped me, and put on me the Tnrkish garb. 1 
 all this wiiile kept cryinu, jukI told my patroon, that 
 althuni>!i lie had cliariii^pd my !i9l»it, yet he rould 
 never cliani>e my heart. The iiijjhl r(»llo\viii«-, be- 
 fore he lay <lovvn to sleep, he ( allerl me, and bid 
 me kneel down by his bed-side, and then nsed en- 
 treaties that I uouid gratiCy him in renouncing my 
 religion. I told hin» it was a;>ainst my conseience, 
 and wiihal desiring him to sell me, and bny another 
 boy, w!)o perhaps might more easily be won ; but 
 as for my part, I wa» afraid Ishoidd be everlastingly 
 damned, it' I complied with this request. He told 
 me, he would pawn his soul for mine, and many 
 other importunate expressions did he use. 
 
 At length I desired him to let me go to bed, and 1 
 would pray to God, anfl if 1 found any better reasons 
 suggested to my mind than what I had tlusn, to turn, 
 by the next morning, I did not know what 1 might 
 do ; but if I continued in the same mind 1 was, I 
 desired him to say no more to me on that subject: 
 this he agree<l to, and so I went lo bed. But, what- 
 ever ailed him, having not patience to stay till the 
 inorniug for my answer, he awoke me in the night, 
 and asked me what my sentin»ents now were; I 
 told him they were the same as before. Then he 
 took me by the right hand, and en<leavoured to 
 make me hold up the fbre-tinger, as they usually 
 do when they speak those words, viz. la Adah eLlal- 
 lahy Mohammed resiil Aliah, which initiates them 
 Turks, as 1 have related before, but 1 did with all my 
 might bend it down, so thai he saw nothing was ta 
 be done with me without violence ; upon which he 
 presently called two of his servants, and command-
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 375 
 
 ed them to tie up my feet with a rope to the post of 
 the tent ; and when liiey had so done, he with a 
 great cudgel fell a heating of me npon my hare 
 feet: and heing a very strong mati, and fidl of pag- 
 sion, his hlows fell heavy iinieed ; and the nsore he 
 beat me, the n)ore chafed and enraged he was, and 
 declaretl, that, in short, if I wonld not torn, he 
 would beat me to death. 1 roared ont to ferl the 
 pain of his crnel strokes, hnt the «nore 1 cried, the 
 more furiously he laid on, and to stop the noise of 
 my crying, would stamp with ids feet on my mouth; 
 at which I begged him to dispatch me out of the 
 way, but he continued heating me. 
 
 After I had endured this merciless usage so long, 
 till I was ready to faint and die under it, and saw 
 him as mad and implacable as ever, I begged him 
 to forbear, and I would turn ; and breathing a 
 "while, but still hanging by the feet, he urged me 
 again to speak the words. Very unwilliu": I was, 
 and held him in suspense a while, and at length 
 told him, that I coidd not speak them; at which 
 he was more enraged than before, and fell at me 
 again in a most barbarous manner. After 1 had 
 received a great many blows a second time, I be- 
 Seeched him again to hold his hand, and gave him 
 fresh hopes of my turnipg Mahometan ; and after I 
 bad taken a little more breatli, I told hitn as betop«, 
 I could not do what he desired. And thus I held 
 htim in suspense three or four times; but at last, 
 seeing his cruelty towards me insatiable, unless I 
 turned, through terror J did it, and spake the wordf 
 as usual, holding up the fore-tinger of my right 
 band : and presently I was had away to a fire, and 
 care was taken to heal my feet, for th«y wers to
 
 376 PICTURE OP BARBARV. 
 
 beaten, that I was not able to go upon tbem for* se* 
 veral days, and so I was put to bed.* 
 
 * The punishment of the bastinado, is one of the most dreadful 
 that can be imagined. A verv aflecting account of it is given by 
 Mr. Antes, in his " Observations on the Manners, &c. of the 
 Egyptians." 
 
 On the 15th of Nov. 1779. returning from a short country ex- 
 cursion to Grand Cairo, he was seized by some of the attendants of 
 Osntan Bey, a Mamaluke chief; and after stripping him of his 
 clothes, they demanded money ; which lie not having about liim, 
 they dragged him before the bey, telling him that he was a Euro- 
 pean, from whom he might get something. In order to extort 
 money from him, the bey ordered him to be bastinadoed : they first 
 threw him down flat on his face, and then bent up his legs, so that 
 the soles of his feet were horizontal ; they then brought a strong 
 staff, about six feet long, with an iron chain fixed to it at both ends. 
 This chain they threw round both feet above the ancles, and twisted 
 them together; and two fellows on each side, provided with what 
 they call a coibage, held up the soles of his feet by means of the 
 stick. When thus placed, an officer whispered in his ear, " Do not 
 wffer yoiirself to be beaten ; give him a thousand dollars, and he 
 will let you go." Mr. Antes, not willing to give up the money 
 which he had received for goods of other merchants, refused : the 
 two men then began to beat the soles of his feel, at first mode- 
 rately ; but when a second application for money was refused, and 
 then the demand was two thousand dollars, they bpj;aii to liiy on 
 more roui-hly, and every stroke felt like the application of a red hot 
 poker. Finding they could yet no money, supposing he iiii<>ht have 
 some choice uooHs, a third application was made to him by the 
 officer ; lie told them he had a fine silver-mounted blunderbuss at 
 bis lodjjini; witirh he wouhl give. The bey anked what he offered ; 
 the ofiicer sneered, and said, bir curubina, i. e. "one blmideibuss ;" 
 ou wliii h the b»^y said, eltrup il Kulp, " beat the <log." Then 
 they beaan t<. lay on icith all their might. " At first," says Mr. 
 Antes, " the pain w«s excruciating ; but after some time, my feel- 
 ing grew nuint^ ajid it was like beating a bag of wool " Finding 
 that nothing was »o be go! from hint, and knowing that he had 
 done nothing to deserve punishment, the bey ordered them to Jet
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 37'7 
 
 All the ceremony that any person who turns Ma- 
 hometan by con)j:>iilsion nses, is only hol.lin*^ up 
 the fore-finger of the right hand, aiurpronoiincing 
 the words before mentiouf^l. \S\\\. wiieii any pt?r- 
 son voluntarily turns fr<iin his rebixion to the Ma- 
 hometan, there is a great deal of f)rnnlity used. 
 Many there are who so turn out of choice, without 
 any terror or severity shewn tlieni. Sunetiujes in 
 a mad, or drunken humour; sometimes to avoid the 
 punishment due to some great crime committed by 
 them, as murder, or the like: I speak of persons 
 belonging to English, or other ships at anchor at 
 
 him go. One of the afteiidants anoiiifod his fVel, aiid boiiiid them 
 up with some rai;s, put him on an ass, and coiidiicted iiim to his 
 house in Cairo, and laid him on his lied, vvliere he was cnii(iiied/or 
 six iveeks before lie coufd walk even wit/i crutches ; and jor more 
 tlian three yrars his feet and uncles loere veri/ much nwel led : and, 
 though twenft/ hud elapsed, when h»; pidjiishtd this ariount, his 
 Jeet and ancles were so affected, ttiat on am/ strong exertion, tliey 
 were accustomed to swell. 
 
 He nientinns instances r.i' the bastinado havinir hien applied for 
 three diiys succossi.eiy ; and, if the person survived, the feet wer0 
 rendered useless for life ; but in general, he i>b'>erv»'>, when they 
 have received between five and six hundred strokes, tiie Itlood gushes 
 from their mouth and nose, and thei/ die either under, or soon after 
 the operation. How he lelt his mini! atft-rud on ihis distressing 
 occasion, he thus piously describes : " I at once «yve up myself 
 for lost, well knowinj; that my life d-peialed on i lie reprice of a 
 brute, in human shape; and hnvin<r heard and seen sueli examples 
 of unrelenting cruelty, I could not expect f<> fare hi-tlt-r than others 
 had done before me ; I had therefore nolhini; left, hut to cast my- 
 self on the mercy of (Jod, commending ny soul to him ; and indeed 
 I must in gratitude confess, that I experienced His support most 
 powerfully; so that all fear of death was taken from me: and if I 
 could have bought my life for one halfpenny, I should, I believe, 
 have hesitated to accept the offer." 
 10 3 c
 
 §78 
 
 PitTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Algiers ; such will get ashore, if possible, and ofteri 
 liecome Mahometans, being afraid to return to theif 
 own country. 
 
 Now when any person so turns Mahouiefan, he 
 goes to the courts where the Dey and divan, i. e. 
 his council^ sits, and there declares his \viiliiio;^i)ess 
 to be a Mahometan ; upon which he is iujuiediately 
 accepted, without demanding of him any reason for 
 his so doing. After which, the apostate is to get 
 on horseback, on a stately steed, with a rich saiJdle, 
 and iine trappings : he is also richly habited, and 
 hatli a ttuban on his head, but to be sure, not of a 
 green colour, for none durst wear their lurbaus of 
 that colour, but such as are of Maliomers blood: 
 but nothing of this is to be called his own ; only 
 there is given iiim about two or three yards of broad 
 icloth, whlcli h laid before hinl on the sa<!dlei The 
 horse, with him on his back, is led all r<nind the 
 city; and he carries an arrow in his riiilii hand^ 
 holding it straight up, and thereby snpporling the 
 fore-finger of his right hand, which he holds up 
 Sigainst it ; this he doth all the while he is riding 
 round the city, which he is several hours in doing; 
 but if he happen to be tired with long lujldinu up his 
 fore-ifinger against the arrow, he may now and then 
 take it off for a moment, and then up wiih it again 
 in the said posture. 
 
 The apostate is attended with drums, and other 
 music, and twenty or tiiirty vekil hanfes, or stew- 
 ards, who, as I told you, are under the ot/to bashes^ 
 or Serjeants; these march in order on each side of 
 the horse, with naked swords in their lands, inti- 
 inating thereby, as I was informed, that if he should 
 repent, and shew the least inclination of retracting 
 what he had declared before the Dey and divan,
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 379 
 
 he deserved to be cut in pieces ; and the vekil 
 harges would accordingly do it. There are likewise 
 two persons who stand one on eacli side of the 
 street, as he inarcheth throiiiih, to gather what peo- 
 ple are pleased to give, by way of encouragement 
 to tlie new convert, as they call him, and it may be, 
 one iiere and there drops a farthing or halfpemiy ; 
 it is much if any be so zeaions as to give a penny. 
 After this show and ceremony is over, lie is imme- 
 diately entered into pay, and directed to the |)lace 
 where he shall qnarter, with some of his fellow- 
 soldiers ; and within a few days, the seunet gee of 
 the town, i. e. the circnmciser, conies and performs 
 the ceremony of circumcision : and then he is a 
 Turk to all intents and purposes. Ii is reported 
 by some, that when any thus voluntarily turn iVIa- 
 Ijometan, he throws a dart at the picture of Jesus 
 Christ, in token of his disowning him as the 8avi- 
 X)ur of the world, and preferring Mahomet to him ; 
 but there is no such usage : and they who relate 
 such things, deceive the world. I am sure I have 
 reason (God pardon me !) to know every thing in 
 use among them of this nature; and I assure the 
 reader there is never any such thing done. 
 
 The cryer goes before, with a loud voice giving 
 thanks to God, for the proselyte that is made; and 
 at some particular places of the city, especially in 
 the casharees, or the places where many of the sol- 
 diers dwell together, the multitude hold up their 
 hands, giving thanks to God. 
 
 I was very much concerned for (»ne of our (coun- 
 trymen, who had endured many years of slavery, 
 (and after he was ransomed, went home to his owr| 
 .country; but came again to Algiers, and voluatat
 
 380 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 ril} , without tlie least force used towards him, be- 
 came a MahoiDetau. 
 
 Another Euiiiisljuian I knew, bred to the trade of 
 a gun- smith, v.lio, after he was ransomed, and only 
 wailed for his passnj^e, renogadoed, and chose ra- 
 ther to be a Mahometan, tiian to return to Eng- 
 land. 
 
 AI)o;it two or three niontlis, as near as I can 
 guess, after I was taken a slave, I writ a letter to 
 my fathrr, giviiicr |ij{j| an account of what had hap- 
 pened ; to which 1 received a kind and affectionate 
 answer. A copy of the letter I have not by me, 
 but I well remember that therein he gave me very 
 good counsel, viz. "To have a care and keep close 
 to Gorl, and to be sure never, by any methods of 
 cruelty that could be used towards me, be prevailed 
 with to deny my blessed Saviour; and that he had 
 rather hear of my death, than of my being a Maho- 
 metan." But this first letter of my father came not 
 to my hands till some days after I had, through my 
 patroon's barbarity to me, turned from my religion. 
 Which after (through extreme torture, and out of 
 love to a temporal life,) 1 had done, I became very 
 sad, and melancholy, considering the danger my 
 poor soul was iu. Tiie said letter w as taken up in Ah- 
 giers by my former ujaster, an Englishman, who sent 
 it to tlie camp, .directing it to an English lad, one 
 of the hey's or general's slaves ; who being afraid to 
 deliver me the letter openly, slid it into my hand as 
 he past by me. As soon as I cast my eye upon the 
 superscription, I knew it to be my father's hand, 
 and in a great deal of sorrow, made what haste I 
 could out of the camp (pretending to go to ease 
 myself) to read the letter ; but when I had opened
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 38! 
 
 it, could scarce read a word for weepiii!^. Ami I 
 am apt to tliink, tliat if the letter had come to my 
 hands before I liad turned Turk, niy patroon would 
 rather have accepted of the promised ransom for 
 me, than tliat 1 shouhl become a Mahometan. 
 
 After 1 had read some part of the letter (for 
 I couKi not read it tlirongh at once, for fear my 
 patroon siioiihl find me wanting,) I was ready to 
 sink ; I put it np therefore, intending; to read the 
 whole another time, and returned to our tent, with 
 a more dejected heart and countenance than before; 
 insomuch that my patroon perceivini^ it, asked me 
 whether I had been weeping ? I replied, sir, yon do 
 not see me weep. Many other angry words he had 
 with me; and at length truly my heart was so big, 
 that I could not contain any longer, but fell into 
 tears, and at the same time produced him the letter 
 which I received from my father, and told him that 
 ray father would ransom me ; and withal added, I 
 am no Turk, but a Christian. My patroon answer- 
 ed me with, hold your tongue, you dog, for if you 
 speak such a word again, I will have a great fire 
 made, and therein burn thee immediately; at which 
 I was forced to be silent. 
 
 In two or three days after this, I writ my father 
 a second letter, (which I was forced to do by piece- 
 meal, m a great deal of danger and fear,) in which 
 I gave him a perfect account of the whole matter, 
 and told him the naked truth, lest he should have 
 thought what I did, had been voluntarily, and with- 
 out any coercion. And in order thereunto, I pri- 
 vately desired the aforesaid English lad, a servant 
 to the bey, to lend me pen, ink, and paper ; and 
 took an occasion to go on the outside of the camp.
 
 882 PICTURE OF P.ARBARY. 
 
 and there in fear writ two or three lines at a time, 
 as I could, without discovery, till I had finished 
 my epistle. 
 
 The substance of my letter was, " that though 
 I was forced by the cruelty which was exercised 
 upon me, to turn Turk, yet I was really a Christian 
 in my heart; (some may terra me hypocrite for so 
 doing, but I will not reply any more, ihan this, thai 
 I speak it not to extenuate my siu, but to set the 
 matter in a true light, how I turnefl, and the reasons 
 of my so doing,) and withal, I assured my father 
 and mother, that I would, as soon as ever I could 
 find an opportunity, endeavour to make my escape; 
 and therefore entreated them to be as contented as 
 they could under their great affliction, and expect 
 what time would produce."* 
 
 Some time after my father received this my se- 
 cond letter, he sent me another, which was directed 
 as the former, to my master in Algiers, and he sent 
 it forward, directing it to an Englishman at Bleda, 
 where I then lived, of whom I received it ; and I 
 look upon it as a signal providence, for there was 
 but that one Englishman then living in the town. 
 The substance of the letter was as foMoweth, viz. 
 
 * In anollier part of Ills j«)urnal, the aullior observes. " I have 
 been often reflected upon for my apostasy, vvliicli I desire to bear 
 witlj piiichi e. I deserve abundantly niorc than this ; however, I 
 have this i<. ninifuri nie, ihat iliey are, for the ni..st part, ignorant, 
 or vile juT'^.n*, \vli<!>e censuies are nrtt much to be minded : nay, 
 1 do II. t rt ineininT, ihal I hive been once reproached for it by any 
 of leannn.; r pitMy. I rio not preteufl to excuse w liat I did; but 
 wbelht-r ii was voluntarily, or I wa-. a true M»iS5ul<ni«"> let any 
 judge, when llie> liave considered wlial httzard 1 ran in making my 
 csca|)e. 1 was in .; much fairer way for honour and prefermw|t \t\ 
 Algiers, than I could expect ever to have been in England."
 
 (j apt hit y of a British Scamafi. 3831 
 
 " Yet I cannot choose Imt call llu^i dear and 
 lovin«; son, allhoiiuli ilioii liasl denied tliy lle- 
 deeiner (hal l)oin^lit lliee ; especially, considering 
 the ten lerness of \Uy ai^e, the crnehy of thy usage, 
 and the strength of thy tein|)talit)ns I eonfesB, 
 when I tirst heard of it, 1 t!ionii,ht. it uould have 
 overwhelmed niynpirits; and iiad it not been for 
 divine supporters, it had l)een a harden too nnsup- 
 portable for my weak shoidders to have crippled 
 under; especially considering the loss of thy sotd." 
 
 But withal, my father in his letter coujforied rne, 
 wit!) telling; me, that he hud been with several i\\\- 
 nisters, who unanimously concurred in tlieir o|>inion, 
 that 1 had not sinned the unpardonable sin ; one of 
 tvdioin advised my father to write to me. Said my 
 father, " I shall v.rite very smart if I do." The 
 good man replied, by no means, but write as ten- 
 derly as possible, otherwise y<.>n wdl spoil all ; and 
 give him ail the encouragement you can. My fa- 
 ther fo'lowed his advice, and therefore went on as 
 below * 
 
 *"Tru!v rliild, I ('.) believe, that vvlial tliou hast Hone willi thy 
 mouth, vvfia not v»ilh liiy litart; ami ilial it "<is cnnlrL-ry to tby 
 conscience. Take heitl <it" beiii:i iMnleiieil in Uiiiie iiiiquii y ; give 
 not awav to ile5|)ituili'iuy, ixn- to desperalioti. ivemtiulK-r that 
 Peter had lu.t so many U'in|>iali'»ns li> ihuy liis l.onl iiixl indster, 
 as thou hait had, and yet tie ohtaiiied nieicN ; and so nia\e»l I lion. 
 Yet the door of i,'rare and mercy i* open t">.r lliee. I ran hardU 
 write to thee for weepini;, and niy lime i-. hut shitil ; and what shall 
 I say to tiiee more, njy poor clnld ? 1 will |i.i\vii ilie los-. of my 
 soul, upon the salvation of thine, thai if iliun (lo>i Ixi! duly and 
 daily repent of this thy horrid ini(piil}, tin- lilo-.d «,f ihat Je$u« 
 whom tl)Ou hast denied, wid cleanse thee from il, and tliL-re is suf- 
 ifieient satisfaction in him to save thee to the utmost, or ollierwiie 
 let ine perish. I will promise thee aa welcome to me opon tby re-
 
 5^4 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 It pleased God that this my father's second let- 
 ter, Ihoiig]] the cause of many sorrowful reflections in 
 me, did yet administer gri-at sii|jj)()rt and comfort 
 to me; and I would often go into some bye corner 
 or other, under some hedge of a garden, lo read it. 
 
 The reader may easily thiiik, tiiat one under my 
 circumstaiiCrs, cnald have but very few opportuni- 
 ties of writing home to his parents and friends ; 
 which was the reas(m why I writ no oflener. I had 
 however, some time afterwards, another opportu- 
 nity of writing to my father, by an Englisliman, 
 whom I met, and the letter was nearlv as below.* 
 
 turn and repentance, as though tl)oii had never done it. And if 
 there be such bowels of pily in an raTliily jiarent, which are but as 
 drops to the ocean, whal dost thou think of the hKUiKUess mercies 
 of God, whose coin|)assioi!s are like fo hi uxlf, lufi :;ite I I < onfess, 
 it is son)ethiu^ ditiioiili lor ibie to lUiilif !hy e^c i^e ; h'll vet I am 
 confident, tliat if thou dns! kit-p th'se to Gttd, ii'i1wiilis»anding 
 this thy luiscurriage, inlinite wi5<loin and power will be set at work 
 to find out wriys, in such untrodden paths, a^ I caunot iaiagine, for 
 thy relief. Wiiicii is the daily prayers of thy 
 
 " Atlectionate Father, " 
 
 * " Honoured and dear Father and Mother, 
 " It is not tlie want of duty or hive, whiili makes me negligent 
 of writing to you, but it is chiefly the cnsideraiiun ft' the little 
 comfort you can take in hearing from me, havin^;^ been a j^reat grief, 
 and licart-breaking to you. 
 
 " Dear father and mother, — how often have I wished that I had 
 departed the world whew I hung upon your breasts, that 1 might 
 not have been the bringer of your grey hairs wiih sormw to the 
 ground. Therefore, if you would be an ease to my gnef, I desire 
 you to wait God's leisure. 
 " Your grief, though great, is but little in comparison of mine. Put 
 it to the worst, you hare lost but a son ; but I, for my part, have 
 loit both a dear father and mother, brothers, relations, friends, ac-
 
 Captivity of a British Seamayi. 385 
 
 I lived still a miserable life with this my second 
 patroon, ai)(l was oftentimes so beaten by him, that 
 any blood ran down upon the i»TOnnd. Alter I had 
 thns turned Turk, he had rather less kinchiess for 
 me than before; and one reason was, hecause he 
 thonghj that I was no true Mnssniman in my heart; 
 for he observed me to be far from I)eing zealous in 
 the Mahometan way. And I mnst derlare, that 
 oftentimes I would go to mosqtu! without ever 
 taking abcles at all, which none of the thorough 
 paced Maliometaws would do, might they gain ever 
 EO much ; for which I fared many ways, much 
 worse than my fellow slaves, which had not turned ; 
 and did lie with them in a sta!)le, and also eat 
 with them. And indeed, our victuals were very 
 coarse and ordinary, viz. mostly barley bread with 
 sour milk. But if a sheep did chance to die, the 
 
 qu^intance, and all ! But my greatest sorrow is, thiit Ciod halh de- 
 prived nie of his holy Scriptures, of any good counsel or ciiscourse ; 
 for I see nolhing but wickedness before mine eyes. 
 
 " Ttie Lord of heaven reward you for your endeavours to bring 
 me up in the ways of Jesus Christ ; for the bad iniprovetnctit of 
 which privilege, I now here find and sutler the w;nil of it. I am 
 iq great fears, and great hazards do I run, in writing these few lines. 
 About fourteen months I have been wanting frfiin Algiers, for I 
 liave been with my patroon to Mecca, wliere i-, they say, the house 
 of God ; and after tliey have been to pay fluir tlcvoiions thither, 
 they do account that all llieir sins are forgivi.'i. 
 
 *' Mecca is about forty days travel beyond Grand Cairo; being 
 now therefore in my way back iigain to Algier>>, as fnr as Alexan- 
 dria, I embrace this <i^»porluiiity of sendini; to you from hci'Ce. 
 With my kind love to all my brother^,, rtbtions, friends, and neigh- 
 bours, desiring yours, and the prayers of ail the people to God for 
 
 me, I rest 
 
 " Your dutiful son, till death, 
 
 •' " 
 
 10 8 D
 
 386 PICTURE OF BARBAST. 
 
 flesli would come for our share, and many joyful 
 and hearty good meals should we make of it. 
 
 I remember there was a tame youns: hog in the 
 village where we lived, once happened to fall foul 
 of a milk pan full of milk, for which it soon lost its 
 life. My fellow slaves hearing it was dead, pre- 
 sently took and carried it into the field, where they 
 made a fire, burnt off its hair, and then boiled it. 
 When they had eat their allowance for supper, 
 down came the second course, viz. the boiled hog, 
 on which they fared sumptuously, desiring me to 
 take part with them ; I envied them their dainties, 
 but durst not taste, lest it should have been disco- 
 vered, and cost me my life: after they had enjoyed 
 themselves on this noble dish, what remained was 
 set by for another time. The next day, when they 
 were all gone to their work in the vineyards, I had 
 an opportunity to see how I liked it, and fed on 
 it very heartily. In the evening they had their se- 
 cond course again, but finding that a good part of 
 it was gone, they fell a taxing each other, for it was 
 no small disappointment to them all ; but none of 
 them did in the least suspect me. 
 
 This my patroon was a married man, and being 
 wanting about fourteen months from his wife, upon 
 a stretch, in that interval she was delivered of bas- 
 tard twins ; so he turned her away, and in a little 
 time married another, who was a great fortune to 
 him. 
 
 Sometime after this I was sold again in Algiers, 
 being according to custom, previous y carried three 
 days by the crier about the streets. I was bought 
 by an old bachelor. My work with him was to 
 look after his house, dress his meat, wash th«
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 307 
 
 «Iothes ; and in short, to do all those things that ar« 
 looked on as a servant-maid's work in Eniiland. 
 
 I must own, 1 wanted nolhinijj wirh him; moat, 
 drink, clothes, and money, I ijad enonuh. After 
 I had lived with him alxmt a year lie made his pil- 
 grimage to Mecca, and carried me with him ; but 
 before we came to Alexa dria he was taken sick, 
 and thinkins^ verily he should die, havino; a woven 
 girdle about his middle, under his sash, which they 
 usually wear, in which was much ffold, an<l also 
 my letter of freedom, which he intended to jrive me 
 when at Mecca, he took it oft', and bid me put it on 
 about me, and took my j^irdle and piit it on him- 
 self; and withal told me, that if he died on the 
 way, I should be sure to perform the aUi(t<>c, or el 
 hagge, i. e. the pil|^rimaire to Mecca, in onler to 
 obtain the honourable title of hagge ; not doubting, 
 but that there would be sufficient care be-^ides taken 
 to bear my charges. He meant that the Al;jjerine 
 hagges, who were going with us to Mecca would 
 have paid ray expenses tiiither, and back aijain to 
 Algiers, out of his cash. For you must ()i)s(Tve, 
 that when any Algerine Turks die without children, 
 whether at home or abroad, their effects are care- 
 fully secured, and returned into the bank for the 
 public use. This was argument enotigh how he 
 loved me. But it pleased God that he recovered ; 
 and one thing I observed in him was, that though 
 he was before a great smoker of tobacco, aflnr that 
 sickness he never smoked at all, which was looked 
 on as a token of his repentance; for though abim- 
 dance of tobacco be smoked among the Turks, yet 
 it is accounted a sin. 
 
 A little before I went to Mecca, being newly
 
 388 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 come to this my last patioon, we lived in a court, 
 ov funduck, as tliey term it, where lived none but 
 batchelors, and evtry one had his slave lo do the 
 like service vvitli him, as 1 did with my patroon: 
 
 amoni^- these slaves thei^ was one , an Eiiiilish- 
 
 man, with whom I became very intimate, insomuch 
 that I communicated my greatest secrets to him, and 
 particularly how I came to turn Mahojuetan, and 
 how uneasy I was upon it; and withal, that 1 had 
 thouq!)ls of going to the Dey, and tellin«: him that 
 I was forced to turn ; and, that I hoped he would 
 let me he at my choice, for I would be no Maho- 
 metan ; and desired this man's oj>inian, whetlier I 
 were best so to do. He answered, I should by no 
 means do it, for-it would make the woise for u)e, 
 and endanger my life ; he told nie also, tiiat it would 
 not be loiig before my patroon would go to Mecca, 
 and there, in ail likelihood, g\\'G nie uiy liberty; 
 and after that, I miglit find some \i-A\ or oilier to 
 escape. Well, I hearkeue<l to his advice, but after- 
 wards had cause to repent of making hiu) so much 
 my confident; for when I returned from Mecca to 
 
 Algiers,! found this very much inclined to turn 
 
 Mahometan. I was with my heart williiiu' to dis- 
 courage him from it, and to lay the liorrid evil l)e-« 
 fore him, but was afraid lest he should betray me. 
 One day particularly, he came and asked my ad- 
 vice, whether he was best to turn or not. I thought 
 him perH<lious, and therefore told him, he sluudd 
 use his own mind, I would use no arguments with 
 him j»?'o or cow ,• for, said I, if I should persuade 
 you to turn, and your patroon should not be so kind 
 to you as you expect, viz. to give you your liberty, 
 then you would lay the blame on me. But in a
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 389 
 
 little time he did turn Turk, and that witliont the 
 least temptation, his patrdon no way desiring him 
 so to do. J jriie-ssed him to he about thirty ycara 
 of age \v!:en he turned. 
 
 About a year afterwards his patroon gave hiui 
 his hheriv, and lie entered into pay. He became 
 very diligent in learning- to re;id the alcoriui, and 
 very foruurd to ])erforni sallah, so that he was 
 looked on as a zealot. He woidd often eot reel me 
 for my backwardness to go to mosrpie, and for my 
 intimacy with the neighbouring slaves,; and I wai 
 afrai(! to oppose or contradict him in any thing. 
 
 But it pleased God, that in a little time this re- 
 negade (iied, and tiiat in a very dismal manner; for 
 he pined away after a strange rate, and before his 
 death became a very miserable object indeed : and 
 I cannot say that I was very sorry tor his death. 
 
 I suppose he had some expectations of grt^it mat- 
 ters, which made him turn ; but lie found hicnself 
 disappointed. I am sure it was not frou) any 
 Buch indm-ements that I Ijecaiue a MaI»o(netan, but 
 through my patroon's cruel and merciless usage; 
 and yet I fared rather worse with hin» than before; 
 though sometimes they shew tlien)st-lv(^s j)artial 
 enough to those of the Mahom»>tan rtdigion with 
 themselves; an instance of which I shall not easily 
 forget, viz. 
 
 While 1 was in Algiers, tliere were two negro 
 slaves belonging to a 'J'agaren, or Andalusian, one 
 of which was a Mahometan, and the other a Por- 
 tuguese, and a Christian. Jt seems that these two 
 slaves, while they were at their work in their pa- 
 troon's garden, iiaving some old grudge, conspired 
 to take away his life, and rob him of his money.
 
 SPO PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 Accordingly on a certain day, understanding that 
 their palroon was to iio to Algiers with a consider- 
 able vsnin of money with hin, and inost of it in gold, 
 they wayiayed him, aiul murdered hinr. 
 
 This harharons act was not presently discovered; 
 but at len^ith these ne2,roeSj forsooth, must 0:0 and 
 enjoy theujselves, and in order thereunto went to 
 the money chanuers, to cliange some pieces of gold; 
 by which means they were suspected and appre- 
 bended, and upon a strict examination into the 
 matter, were found guilty, and hoth executed. He 
 that was a IMussulman had a great deal more favour 
 shewn him than the other, for he was fairly hanged; 
 the manner of which, in Algiers, is thus, viz. they 
 have an hole made in a wall, just up to the top, 
 through which one end of the rope is put, and fas- 
 tened on the other side of the wall, and the other 
 about (he criminal's neck, he silting upon the wall; 
 and after he hath spoken what he will, he is pushed 
 off the top of the wall, and so is hanged. 
 
 But the poor Portuguese was stripped naked to 
 the middle, and had his hands tied behind him, and 
 a hole made in the heel of each hand, into which were 
 put icax candles burning ; the same was done in both 
 his shoulders ; and in this manner was he led along 
 the streets with the crier of the town l)efore him, 
 publishing his crime. I thought they intended to 
 have burned him alive, and therefore went without 
 the gate to see him executed ; but they cut off his 
 head first, and then burned his body to ashes. 
 
 There was a Spaniard killed a Moor, and was 
 therefore condemned to be burned; but to escape 
 the fire, if not save his life, he turned Mahome- 
 tan. But this would not save his life ; however, it
 
 Captivity of a British Seamati. Z9i 
 
 gained him the favour, instead of hein;^ burned, to 
 be pushed off the wall at the gale hab el zoon, wliich 
 is the common place of execution. 
 
 My palroon wouM noi open liis mouth ai^ainst m«, 
 unless vvhen in a passion ; but wouUI speak, upoB 
 occasion, in my behalf, sayings ben ebn, oit^lanem 
 tumra catch mcs, i. e. my son will never run 
 away. 
 
 He seldom called me any thinp: but son, and 
 bought, a Dutch boy to do the work of the house; 
 who attended upon me, and obeyed my orders as 
 much as his. Many times, afl< r dinner, when the 
 boy asked him what he sho«dd dress for supper, he 
 would i)id him ask me. He denired tne to mind 
 my reading, in whicli I Jiad made a ronsith rablo 
 proficiency; and would have ujealso learn to write; 
 and understanding something of writing, I could 
 ■trike the the Tiirkisii character beyond their ex- 
 pectation ; and all in the school admired me lor it. 
 But I began to consider with myself, that I should 
 toon be master of writing, as well as a pretty good 
 accountant, and my patroon being related to the 
 Dey, could easily get me promoted, as such usually 
 are; and for this very reason I laid aside my writing, 
 fearing what the consequence might be. I often 
 ■aw several bags of his money, a great part of which 
 he said he would leave me. He woidd say to me, 
 ** though I was never married myself, yet you shall 
 in a little time, and then your children shall be 
 niine." An offer was made me of that nature, but 
 I bless God, it was no temptation to me. Had I 
 been prevailed with to alter my condition there, I 
 trembled to think what the issue might have beeOi 
 Many more kindnesses, of this ray last patroou. I
 
 iQi PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 could relate; for which I cannot but say, I had a 
 great love for him, even as a father. But still this 
 was not England, and I wanted to be at home. 
 
 Accordingly, after many difficulties, anxieties 
 and dangers, vvhich I shall not trouble the reader by 
 narrating, I escaped to Smyrna, and thence sailed 
 in a French vessel for Leghorn. A few days after I 
 had been upon the Lazaret, i. e. the said island, that 
 there came a French vessel from Algiers, in which 
 were some redeemed slaves, amongst whom were 
 some Dutchmen, and one of them was a nigh neigh- 
 bour of mine in Algiers, who was mightily surprised 
 but very glad to see me ; and said, that he, w ith the 
 rest of his countrymen, would be glad (»f my com- 
 pany homeward, for that they had rather travel 
 home by land than by sea. I was no less glad of 
 their company, than they of mine; and therefore 
 after being permitted to go ashore, and tarrying in 
 Leghorn one night, the next day we set out on our 
 journey. It was about Christmas time, when there 
 was very frosty weather, and great snows fell, so 
 that we travelled twenty days in the snow. The 
 first day we set out from Leghorn we came to Pisa ; 
 from thence to Florence ; from thence to Bologna ; 
 and so onward. We had a note of all cities and 
 towns we were to pass through, as far as to Aus- 
 burgh. Afler I had travelled with my company 
 about two linndred miles in Italy, and was just en- 
 tering into Germany, ujy left leg failed me, so that 
 I was not iibie to lioM on with them; thereupon 
 they went away and left me, fearing iheir money 
 wouhl fall ."short, if they should stay for uje. 
 
 Being thus leftljehind I was nuich trouhled ; but 
 it pleased God to mitigate my pains, and tbea«xt
 
 Captivity •fa British Seaman. 303 
 
 day I followed tliem, but never could overtake them, 
 they heiijs? always a dny'« journey lulore nie. 
 
 When I had i»one these two huudied iuil»'.s with 
 then), I was forced to travel five hiuidrcd innrc. (as 
 they told fue it was) on foot in Gerniany. nil I came 
 to Frandort. I fell into some tronldcs in iravt Ming 
 through Germany; and amoni;- tlienilliis was one, 
 viz. one day I had travelled throu«jjh a i^rt-at wood, 
 and as I came out of it, I met with four or live (ier- 
 man soUliers, who bid me stand ; I <li<l ; iliey ex- 
 amined me, and I j^ave them an account of myself; 
 they made me i;o back with them, sayini"*, 1 wae 
 a Frenchman, come as a spy into their country, 
 I earnestly beijrge<l of them to Ie( me ^^o ; they 
 would not, but carried me b ick into the wood a^ai'i, 
 and brought me to a bye place, which made me 
 very much afraid they woidd lake away my life, and 
 I have been since told by one of that coun'ry, that 
 I had a very narrow escape, because tlit- Germans 
 seldom rob withoiu committing murtler. There 
 thev robbed hie of my money, as much as they could 
 find, then beat nie, and bid me be gone: but as Di- 
 vine Providence ordered if, they did not strip me; 
 for it they had, they wcudd have f<i(md more money 
 
 about me. 
 
 When I came to Ausbnnrh, T thought tiu^ river 
 Rhine had c(»me up so far, but was niisijjktMi ; for 
 J was informed, that I must navel siill furllicr on 
 foot, viz. to Francfort upon tne Vl.iiue, which was 
 about ail hundred a»id fifty miles morr It could 
 not be helpt^d, and therefore put to il 1 umsf I got 
 direclioiis for as far astlint place, ami foinid il luany 
 a wearv step; but the thon-hls of gedmg home at 
 last put new life and strength into me. When I got 
 
 10 3 B
 
 384 PICTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 to Francfort it was about siiFi-set, and the gates of 
 the city were jnst ready to be shut ; for I hey had 
 then war witli France. When I offered to ^o in, the 
 centinel who were npon duty at the gate, demanded 
 ofnie, who 1 was? I told them, an Englishman. 
 They asked me, wlience I came? I repbed, (Vom 
 Legliorn ; l>ut ihey would not believe me. They 
 bid M)e produce my passport, but I had none, be- 
 cause the ai)ove-mentioned company took n vvith 
 tbeio wiien I was left behind ; and the want of it 
 Avas the occasion of many troubles^to me in my tra- 
 vels. Upon this they would not allow me entrance* 
 but told me to go to such a particular way, and 
 about a utile and a half off I should tind a village, 
 where I might lodge; for there was not so much a» 
 one liouse without the walls. I desired them to 
 have Some cofupassion upon me ; and told them, 
 that I knew not the way, that it was almost tiark,. 
 and withal that I was weary and faint, having tra- 
 velled a j;reat way that day. But all the arguments 
 I couhl make use of were to no purpose, and so the 
 gate was shut. Upon meeiiuu; with such ;.n unex- 
 pected repulse, I sat down on the ground and wept; 
 for I ha<l not a bit ot bread to elit, nor any fiie to 
 w^arui myself in the extremely cold season which 
 then was, tlioitLrh I had a little money which soon 
 suppled all u»y wants ; for looking about me, I at 
 last spied a hut, or little house of boards, not far 
 from tiie gate, where some soldiers kept guard ; 
 I made towards it, and the corporal seeing the con- 
 dition 1 was in, took pil\ on me, and called me in^ 
 where Lu'\ had a |i>()od tire. ^\tter I had warmed 
 niysell, he gave me some of his victuals, for which 
 seasonable kindness I gave him money to fetch us.
 
 Captivity of a British Smman. 395 
 
 some good liquor. One of the soldiers very iijladly 
 went to the viilaue whither I hnd heeii (hrectcd for 
 a lodging;, and l)roni::ht ^onif wine in a hnrkel : so 
 that with their victnals, and their wine, I very well 
 refreshed myself, and lyinu down on the hoards 
 slept comfortably. I thought there had heen some 
 English merrhants in the city, and (ht'vefore desired 
 the corporal to conduct me to oneoffhem; luit he 
 could find none. At length he hrouiiht me to a 
 French gentleman's house, who had a son who lived 
 in England some time, and was lately returned 
 liome ; by whom I was made very welcome I very 
 well rememl)er, when 1 came first before him, he 
 asked me, whether I was a Hotnan Calholir, or I'ro- 
 testant, I replie<l, a Protestant. No matter f(»r that, 
 he said, we are bound to do good to strangers. I 
 lived, added he, three years iti London, and found 
 English peo|;le very civil to \\w. He then in(|uired 
 what n»y particular business was with him? I told 
 him, to procure a pass logo safe down the riv«^r, (for 
 they are so strict there, in lime of war, as to examine 
 even their own countrymen) and, at tlie same time, 
 desired him to change a pistole for me, an<l give me 
 such monev as would pass current at the places I 
 was to call at on my wav ; for I had somditnes 
 changed a piece of gold, and before all the exchange 
 was expended in my travels, I coidd not put ofi'stune 
 of the money without loss. He changed my pi^Kde 
 for me, and told me what money would pass in such 
 and such place; and what I shoidd reserve till last, 
 to spend in Holland. He was, nioreo\er, so .-veeed- 
 sngly civil, as to go with me to the public office, 
 where he slated my case, and easily got a pass for 
 \ut, without any charge.
 
 PICTUEE OP RARBAEY. 
 
 He then roiiflucterl me to the river side, where 
 was a l)oat, almost full of passeni^ers, ready to set 
 out for l\l(Mi(z. This obligino; s^eiitlemaii told the 
 mast* r of ihe boat, ihat he wonhl satisfy him for mjr 
 pawsai;^ and (ic'siivd an acquaintance of his in the 
 boat to lake care of nie, and when we irot to Mentz, 
 todtrect me t(> a certain merchant, for whom he gave 
 me a letter, and therewith a piece of money to drink 
 his heahh. 
 
 When we canie to Mentz, every man was to pro- 
 duce his pas-port ; and as they were lookinj? over the 
 person in the boat who was desired to take care of 
 me, sent a boy to call the merchant, to whom I was 
 to deliver the letter; who immediately came, and 
 haviuii: perused it, invited me to his house. 
 
 This gentleman happened to be a slave in Algieri, 
 at the sane time I was ; which made me the mors 
 welcome to him. He inquired of me about his pa- 
 troon, w hom J knew very vvell ; and many other 
 things we talked of, relating to Algiers. 1 received 
 much kindness from this gentleman; for he paid off 
 my quarters for that night, gave me victuals and 
 money for my passage from Mentz to Cologne, and 
 moreover, sent by me a letter of recommendation to 
 a correspondent of his there. 
 
 At Cologne I received the like kindness, having 
 my passage pai<l for to Kotterdam ; and if I would, 
 might have had a recommen(1atory letter to some 
 gentleman there too ; but I refused it, being unwill- 
 ing to lie too troublesome to my friends. 
 
 I found great kindness at Rotterdam, where when 
 it was known that there was one come from Algiers, 
 several flocked about me ; some inquiring for their 
 husbands, and others for] their children, to whom I
 
 Captivity of a British Seaman. 397 
 
 gave the best arcoimt I could. And at Htlvoets- 
 luys, whither our English packet-boats sail from 
 Harwich, I had the same civility shewn ine. But 
 when I came into Enq^land, my own native country, 
 I met witli but coarse treatn)enl ; for the very first 
 Dight I lay ashore I was impressed itito the king't 
 service, we havin^j: at that time war with France; 
 and thoui^h I made known my condition, anjnaint- 
 ing them how many years I had been in slavery; 
 and used many arguments for my liberty, with tears, 
 yet nothing would prevail, btil away I must go, and 
 I was accordingly carried to Colchester prison, 
 where I lay some days. While I was there, 1 writ 
 
 two letters, one to Sir William , who was 
 
 one of the Smyrna, or Turkey Company in London, 
 on whom I had a bill for a little money ; the other 
 
 was to my father in , to acquaint him with 
 
 my escape from Turkey, and that I had been in 
 England ; if 1 should die on the voyage, or be lost 
 at sea, must have been no small satisfaction to my 
 relations, had it so happened. In a few days I was 
 put on board a smack, which was appointed to 
 carry the impressed men to the man of war. I had 
 not been long here, before my name was called, 
 there being a letter for me. I could not conceive 
 from whence it should come, for I knew it was too 
 
 soon to have an ansu^er from , and I was very far 
 
 from expecting any from London ; nay, I blamed 
 myself in my own thoughts, for writing as 1 did to 
 a gentlemati I was a perfect stranger to, imagining 
 he would take no notice of me. But upon oj^ening 
 
 the letter, I found it to be from Sir William , 
 
 who, upon the reception of mine, immediately went 
 to the Admiralty Office, got a protection for me, 
 aad sent with all speed to me. This made m« r«-
 
 .398 PieTURE OF BARBARY. 
 
 joice exceedingly, and I could not forbear leaping" 
 upon the deck. The ship's crew were highly 
 pleased with the news. 1 went to the lieutenant, 
 and asked him, whether he had not a protection for 
 me; he told me, yes, there it was; and I ruight go 
 ashore whenever I pleased : this was not only my 
 present discharge, but prevented all further trouble 
 of that kind on the road homeward, which other- 
 wise I must have met with. 
 
 When J came to , 1 thought it would not be 
 
 prudent to make myself known to my father at 
 once, lest it should quite overcome him ; and there- 
 fore went to a public-house nut far from where he 
 lived, and inquired for some who were my play- 
 mates before 1 went to sea. They told me, there 
 was one lived near there, with wjiom I had been 
 very intimate while a lad ; I sent for him, and ac- 
 quainted him who I was, desiring he would go to 
 ray father, and bring it out to him by degrees : this 
 he readily undertook, well knowing he should be 
 a most welcome messenger, and in a little time 
 brought my father to me. The house was soon 
 filled with the neighbourhood, who came to see me. 
 What joy there was at such a meeting, I leave 
 the reader to conceive of, for it is not easily express- 
 ed. The tirst words my father said to me, were, Art 
 thou my son Joseph ? with tears. Yes, father, I 
 am, said 1. He immediately led me home, many 
 people following us; but he shut the door against 
 them, and would admit no one, till falling on his 
 knees, he had returned hearty thanks to God for 
 my signal deliverance. My mother died about a 
 year before my return. I was in Algiers about fif- 
 teen years, and alter 1 left it, it was near a twelve^ 
 month ere I could reach home.
 
 n? 
 
 No. I. 
 
 Letter of Muley Zidan K'mg of Morocco to King Charles I. oj 
 
 England. 
 
 W "en lliese our letters shall be so happy as to come to your 
 Majesty'', sii;ht. I wish the Spirit of the righteous God may so di- 
 rect your tniiul, that now may joyfully eiiibrace the message I send. 
 The tv^A power allolled to us, makes us cominou servants to our 
 Creator, iheu ot those people \vli(im we govern ; so observing 
 the duties we owe to God, we deliver blessings to the world in pro- 
 viding for the public good of our esiales ; we magnify the honour 
 of God, like the celestial bodies, which, though liny nave much 
 veneration, yet serve oulv to the benerii of the v«^orld. It is the 
 excellency of our ofl^ice to be instrument i wlierel)y huppiuess is de- 
 livered unto the nations. Pardon u)e, Sir! Tiiis is not lo instruct, 
 for I know I speak lo one of a more clear and quick sight than my 
 self; but I speak this, because God hath pleaseil to grant me a 
 happy victory over some pait of those rebelli-us pirates, that so long 
 have molested the peaceable trade of Europe ; ami hath pre^mled 
 further occasion to root (»ut the geiiera!it)n of (hose, wlio liaM/ been 
 so pernicious to the good of our nations: I mean, sum*- ii hath 
 pleased God to be so auspicious in our begumings, in the con- 
 quest of Sallee, that we might join and pr(>ceed in hope of like sue 
 cess in the war of Tunis, Algiers, and other places ;. dens and ic
 
 400 APPEXDrx. 
 
 ceptailes for the inhuman villanies of those who abhor rule and g<K 
 vernnienf. Herein while \"e interrupt the corruption of malignant 
 spirit>> <)f the «orld, we shall jjiorifv tlje great (iod, ami nt-rform a 
 dut}' liiat uiil^hineus gloririus a> the .'jiin an<l moon, \Oiic-li all the 
 earth may see and reverence ; a vvork that ^hall ascend as svii'el as 
 the perfume of the most prt-rioivs odours, in the nobtriU of the 
 Lord ; a work whose meniorv sliail he reverenced so loni» a-, there 
 shall he any reniiiining among men: a work grateful and happy 
 to men who love and honour ll;e piety and virtue of noble 
 minds. This action I here willingly present to you, whose 
 piety and virtut-s equal the greatness of your power: that we, 
 who are vicegerents lo the great and n.i-hty God, may hand 
 io hand triumph in the gli^ry which the action presents unto 
 us.— Now, because tlie islands which you govern, have been 
 ever famous for the unconqueted strength of their shipping, I have 
 sent this my trusty servant and iimbassador, to ktiow whether, in 
 your princely wisdom, you shall think fit to assist me with such 
 forces by se':^, as shall be answerable to those I pr(»vi<le by land; 
 which if you please to grant, I doubt not but the Lord of Hosts will 
 protect and assi->t those that fight in so glorious a cause. Nor 
 ought y u to ihink ihis strange, that I, who so much reverenced the 
 peace and accord of nations, should exh«»rl lo war. Your great 
 prophet, Christ Jesus, was the I'.on of the tribe of Jud<th, as well as 
 the Lord ..ud giver of pe<ice; which may si^inity unto you, that he 
 who is a lover an<l maintainer of peace, unsst always appear with 
 the terror of his sword, and, wading ihroueh sea> ol blood, must ar- 
 rive at tianqnillily. This made James your f<ilher, ofjjlorious me- 
 mory, so happily renowned amonsi H<itions. — It was the n"ble fame 
 of your princely virtues, which resounds to the utmi>st corners of 
 the earth, tliai persuaded n»e to invite you to partake of ihat bless- 
 ing, wherein 1 boast myself most happy. I wish God may heap the 
 riches of his blessings on you, increase your happiness with your 
 days, and hereafter perpetuate the greatness of your name in all 
 ages.
 
 APPENDIX. 401 
 
 No, If. 
 
 Articles of P-eace and Commerce beticeen the Most Hifrh and 
 Most Renowned Prince George, by the firuce of (iod King of 
 Ortat Brituin, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Sfc. 
 and the High and G/orious, Mighfi/ and Jii^hf \olde Prince, 
 Alhumazer Mufei/ [nhmitel, Ben Muley Zeriph, Jitn M ileif Ally- 
 King and Emperor of the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco, Taf- 
 Jilet ; Suz, and all the Algarbe and its territories in Africa, Sfc. 
 concluded agreed and adjusted by tht. Honourable Charles Steiv- 
 </trt. Esquire, on the Behalf of His Britannic AJfiJesty, and by 
 His Excellency Basha Hitmet Ben Ally Ben Al/da/lah, and His 
 Imperial Majesty's Treasurer, Mr. iMoses Ben Hallar, a 
 Jew, on the Behalf of the said King of Fez and Morocco. 
 
 I. It is ajijrfed atul coitchuled, That from ihis uay forward there 
 •shall be, between His Majesty of Great Britain and tiie Kin>^ of Fez 
 •and Moiocco, tbeir heirs and successors, a gener;d, sincere, and 
 trwe peace, which shall be observed inviolably, and endtire for ever, 
 as weH by land as by sea and fresh waters, and also lielwctn the 
 lands, countries, kingdoms, dominions, and territories belonjjin" 
 unto or nnder the obedience of either of them, and lliat their snb 
 
 jeets, people, or inhabitants respectively, of what condition, decree 
 or quality soever, from henceforth reciprocnlly sl.all «,ljew one ano- 
 ther all friendship ; and that at the death ot" eithtr of Their Majes- 
 ties ; the successor shall send an and^assador to tite other to si'^nify 
 to him his accession to the crown. 
 
 II. It is further accorded. That any of the sliijis or other vessels 
 belonging to the said King of Great Britain, or fo auy of His Majes- 
 ty's subjects, may safely come fo the ports, or to any pi, we of the 
 said Emperor's dominions, there l>eely to buy or sell ; and the goods 
 they sell not, they shall at any time freely carry on b.Mrd, withont 
 pa\ing any duties for the same, if they are not c(intr<ib,nid goods ; 
 and in case any ship or vessel shall have more good-, on board than 
 is designed for the port, (which the niaster -hall be obliged to de. 
 •clare on his arrival) the master of the said ship shall n.-t be com- 
 pelled to land the said goods, but they shall freely ffepart from 
 whence whensoever they please without any stop or hindrance 
 
 10 3 F
 
 402 AP^fcNbtX. 
 
 whatsoever ; and it i> hereby declared, that the ships or vessels •f 
 their respective Majesties, or their subjects, that shall arrive in any of 
 the ports or harbours of the dominions of either of the Kings afore- 
 said, compelled by enemies, disaster of the seas, or any accident, 
 ihail be exempted from paying anchorage, giving powder, money, or 
 any thing else, as port charge, or any other duties eiiher upon their 
 entrance or departure from the said ports, without any let or moles- 
 tation. 
 
 III. It is agreed. That all ships and vessels whatsoever belonging 
 to the subjects of the said King of Great Britian, as also all ships 
 and vessels whatsoever belonging to the King of Fez and Morocco, 
 or to his subjects, shrill freely navigate and pass thei seas without 
 any search, hindrance, or molestation from each other ; and that 
 all persons or })assengers of what country or nation soever, as also 
 all monies, goods, merchandises or moveables to what people or na- 
 tion soever belonging, to either parly, shall be wholly free, and 
 shall not be slopped, taken away, embezzled, or plundered, nor re- 
 ceive any harm or damage whatsoever from either party. And it is 
 further agreed, that no commander or other person belonging to aojf 
 ship or vessel of the King of Morocco, or his subjects, shall tak« 
 out of any ship or vessel of the King of Great Britain's subjects, 
 aoy person or persons whatsoever, to carry them any where to be 
 examined, or upon any other pretence whatsoever, and shall offer 
 no violence whatsoever to any person or persons, of what quality or 
 nation soever, being on board any ship or vessel belonging to Hb 
 Majesty's subjects. 
 
 IV. It is agreed, for the better observing and executing the an- 
 tecedent articles according to the true intent and meaning thereof. 
 That the men of war or ships of Corso belonging to the King of 
 Fez and Morocco, or to any of his subjects, meeiing with any ship* 
 or vessels whatsoever belonging to the King of Great Britain's sub- 
 jects (not being in any of the seas appertaining to His said Majesty 
 of Great Britains dominions) may send on board one single boat 
 with two sitters, and no more, which sitters only shall have the 
 liberty to enter into such ships or vessels aforesaid; and that 
 by producing; a pass signed by the said King of Great Britain, 
 or by the Lord High Admiral of England, Scotland, or Ireland, 
 the said boat shall immediately depart, aod such ship or res. 
 •el shall fr«ely proceed on her voyage ; and when any of tb« 
 the «hips of war or corso of th« King of Great Britata, tr
 
 APPENDIX. 40,3 
 
 hia iubjects, sljall meet with any ship or vessel of the King of 
 Fes and Morocco, or liis subjects, if tiie cniiiiiiai)der of any such 
 ships or vessels shall produce a pass signed l)> ihe coveriior of the 
 place to which they heloii'i, with a certificate from ih.- English con- 
 sul, and ill case of his decease, or absence, from tlie uiajor part of 
 the English nierchauls residing in the said place, in sucii cases the 
 said ship or vessel shall proceed freely on her voyage without im- 
 pediment or molestation. 
 
 V. It is agreed. That if any of the ships of war of the snid King 
 of Great Britian shall come to any port or place of the dominions 
 of the King of fez and Morocco, with any prize or prize goods, 
 they may freely sell and dispose of them without any m<ilesfation, 
 or new imposition whatsoever ; and in case any squa<lron of His 
 Majesty of Great Britain's ships of war, or any single ship, or mer- 
 chant ship or vessel, shall want provisions or refreshment, ii is here- 
 by further ayreed. That they may freely buy the same in mm h quan- 
 tities or qualilies as they shall have occasion for, al tiu- market 
 prices, and ship off the same without paying any duties or acknow- 
 ledgement whatsoever. 
 
 VI. It is aureed. That if any ship or vessel belonging to the King 
 of Great Britain, or his subjects, should by stress of weather or any 
 other accident, be driverj on shore, bulged or wrecked, in any part of 
 the King of Fez and Morocco's dominions, such ships or vessels, 
 persons or goods, shall, without embezzlement or diminution, be 
 duly restored to the consul, or to any other person whom Ihe right 
 owner shall appoint, and the men shall be at full liberty, and be per- 
 mitted to go when they please, without any let whatsoever. 
 
 VII. It is agreed. That in all whatsoever towns and places, ma- 
 ritime or others, belonging to the King of Fez and Morocco, where- 
 soever the said King of Great Britain shall think fit lo appoint and 
 establish a consul, that such consul or consuls shall be treated with 
 the respect due to his or their characters ; and Iw and all other 
 His Majesty of Great Britain's subjects respeciivel\, shall enjoy the 
 free liberty of (he exercise of tlieii religion, Milliouf any molesta- 
 tion or reproach, in word or deed, and tlia- they >li<)il liave a decent 
 place appoinied lor the burial of their dead, to which no ^ioleIlce 
 shall be offtrreii. That the said consul and t.icturs <h ilt linre ihe 
 choice of their own truckman and brok«r, <ind iibcriy lo go and 
 travel from place to place, by sea or land. They shall likewise have 
 liberty to go on boaid any ship or vessel whatsoever, to Jrade, ojr
 
 404 Ai'PfeNDlX. 
 
 likewise iii port or road, without any let, confinement, or Hmitatiorr, 
 Their effects and estates shall be secure to them without Hanger of 
 contiscaiion, seizure, or emhar^o, on any pretence wiiatsoever ; aiut 
 that the said consul or coiisuis, and all wiiHtsnever suhjccts of His 
 Majes!y of Great Britain, trading in the teiritnries ol tlie Kin? of 
 Fez and Morocco, shall have free liberty to dr-part tlif country at 
 all times, and as often as they shall see cause, without uny impedi- 
 ment or detention lo Ih'^n, their persons, or e^tiites. And t is fur- 
 ther ajireed, That if any of the King: of Great Britain's subjects, re- 
 siding or trafficking in any part of the dominions of the King of Fer 
 an<l Morocco, shall happen to die, in such case the «»overn')r «)f the 
 place where such person shall so decease, shall be obliged to see all 
 his n»onies and effects forthw ith delivered into the hands of Hie 
 IVIajestv of Great Eriiian's consul there ; and in case there be no 
 consn! upoii tlic [iHice, then to some English merchvinf, who is to 
 secure them lor the use of the heirs of tlie deceased; iind this is to> 
 Kp unders1i>od, in case the per^on deceased hvis not had a partner left 
 or factor surviving, or hn* not before his death reronmiended his 
 said goods, debts, &c. to any Christian merchant of wliJit nation 
 soever, in which case the governor is not to intermeddle, further 
 than interposing his authority for ihe causing due coM)|.>liance lo be 
 made of the said person deceased, hi-, will, and the recovery of what 
 shall be owing him, or any otherwise ii the hands of any person 
 ■whatsoever. And it is hereby further declared, that none of the 
 Kinf» of Great Britain's subjects shall, on anv pretence whatsoever,, 
 be compelled, or give any manner of satisfaction, tor any other 
 debts than such as they themselves, each of them respectively, shall 
 contract, or be obliged to by their own act; and idat ilie subjects 
 of ihe Emperor of Fez and Morocco, whetlier Moors or Jews, re- 
 !iidin<» in the dominions of the King of Great Britain, shall entirely 
 enjoy the same privileges that are granted to the English residing ia 
 Barbary. 
 
 VHI. It is agreed. That no alcayde, governor, otficer, or subject 
 of the King of Fez and Morocco, shall take pctssession violently 
 of any goods or merchandizes of any of the King of Great Britain's 
 subjects, in the said King of Fez and Morocco's dominions, without 
 first adjusting and agreeing upon the price, and p<iMiig d^wn the 
 money ; or as it shall be agreed between them, wdhout any com- 
 pulsion whatsoever; and the said subjects of the King of Great 
 Britain shall not be forced to buy any goods or merchandizes.
 
 APPENDIX. 405 
 
 against their will. And it is Airther agreed, Tlr.it llie romman.For 
 or master of any English sliip or vessel, shall not be obliged or 
 compelled to trade, or lake on b'.ard nny <:ood.s or nierrh:ni(!iM 
 whatsoever, he or they declariitu to tii.' eoniul resitting in ilie place 
 or otherwise, tluir nnwilliiigness lo underlake the same. Antl fur- 
 ther. No s!)ip shall be d taitied or embargoed on any pretence what- 
 soever ; or any pilot or mariners tiiken out of any ship or vessel on 
 any pretence wlialsocver. 
 
 IX It is agreed. That if any of the subjects of the Kin^ of Great 
 Britain shall happen lo strike, wonnd, or kill any Moor, in any place 
 within the dominions of the King of Fez ;ind Morocco, and the said 
 offender shall be taken, he shall be pnnislied in the s.ime manner 
 and wiili no greater severity than the subjects of the said King of Fez 
 and Morocco, beine gidhy of the same offence, ought to be by the 
 laws of that country. But if the otTeiider shall make his escape, 
 then neither the consul, nor any other person of the nation, shall be 
 accountable or liable to give any satisfaction thereupon ; and the 
 like to be practised, if any Moor should happen lo strike, imund, or 
 kill any of His Majesty of Great Britain's suhjecls. And (nrther. 
 If any difference shall hapjien between persons, both of the King of 
 Great Britain's subjects, such difference shall be atcommndated by 
 the consul of the English nation ; but in all controversies be- 
 tween t!ie Enijiish and persons of any other nation, such contro- 
 versies shall be <letermined l)\ thealcayde or governor in chief of tlie 
 place. And that the same liberty shall be granted to the subject* 
 of the Emperor of Morocco, resiflins; in the dominions of Hi* 
 Briltanic Majesty, wliich is given to the English consul in Barbary. 
 to name a person or nersons to decide the differences that may hap- 
 pen between the subjects of His Imperial Majesty, a Moor for the 
 Moors, and a Jew for the Jews. 
 
 X. It is agreed, that nol only during this |)ence and friendshij* 
 but likewise if any breach or war happen to be hereafter, between, 
 the said Kiny of Fez and Morocco, the Engiisii consul, and ail others 
 the said King of Great Britain's subjects, inliabilmg or tr.dHcking 
 in the dominions of the said King of Fez and Morccr... -Ii.ill alway* 
 and at all times, both in peace and war, have full p wrr niid entire 
 liberty to depiirt and go lo their own or any other (onntry, upon 
 what ship or vessel of uliat natiiin soever they >iiall iiu.ik til ; to be 
 allowed six months time to remove in case of war, and to carry with 
 them all their effects, goods, faniiliei, children though born in the
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 country, and servants, without any interruption, seizure, or bindraoe* 
 whatsoever. 
 
 XI. And to the end this treaty of peace may not be lliought vio- 
 lated by tl)'.' crimes and offences of particular men, it is hereby fur- 
 ther agreed, Tliat if either of tiieir majesties subjects shall do any 
 thing rontrHry t<> what is agreed in the foregoing articles, it shall 
 not be rcckoiit-d a breach of the public peace ; nor shall any hos- 
 tiiily en^iie ihereupon ; neither shall it in any case, of any contro- 
 versy, be tefiuied a denial of justice, but where satisfaction shall be 
 refused for the space of six months after complaint made. 
 
 XII. It i<. a«ir«'ed, 1 hat the subjects of the King of Fez and Mo- 
 rocco shall be suffered to transport out of the dominions of the King 
 of Great Britain, any ssort of goods whatsoever, to the dominions of 
 the said Kmj; «)f Fezand Morocco; and that they shall be obliged 
 to pay no niore duties or any otiur impr.sition whatsoever, than 
 what other nations do; according to the custom uf the coun- 
 
 try. 
 
 XIII. And as it has pleased Almighty God, that by his Majesty** 
 arms, the island of Minorca, and the city of Gibraltar, are now in 
 His Majesty's p issession, and are become part of His Britannic 
 Maje.-ty's dominions ; it ib therefore agreed, that every person sail- 
 ing in ships «»r vessels, whether Spaniard, English, or otherwise^ 
 fishing in boats or ves'sels, livinij or residing there, shall be esteem- 
 ed as his natnral-born -iubjeets, upon producing proper passes from 
 the g"verii(»rs, ur conimamiers in chief of tho>e places. 
 
 XIV. It is agre<-d,Tliat forthe tetter piesn\ation of this peace 
 entirely, ano invinlably, between the said King of Fez and Moroc- 
 co, and the sairi King of Great Britain, and their kingdoms, domi* 
 nions, snbjert>>, and vassals respectively, proclaniatiou shall be im- 
 mediately made iliereof, ill all the seaports and towns ol both their 
 Majesties, and fixeii upon the gates of each of the said towns. And 
 likewise that notice be given thereof to the respective governors 
 ministers, otHrer*, and captains, by sea and land, to tlie end that due 
 regard be had to this peace, and thai none may offend through ig^ 
 uorance ; and this shall be done after the ratifications be excbaog. 
 ed, as it is expressed in the f»»llowing article. 
 
 X^astly, It is agreed, incase any ship or ships of war in enmity 
 with the King of Great Britain, be in any of the ports of the King 
 of Fez and Morocco, at the same time that any of the ships belong- 
 idg to the King of Great Britain's subjects are there, that such
 
 APPENDIX. 407 
 
 •tuiters shall not bepermilted to offer any violence to fhe En«;li»h 
 •hips, nor to sail afier them in foriy hours. And h*- it fuither 
 agreed, That tlie peace hh^ll commenre from the d.iv nf ihe !>i»ninf 
 this frt'Hty ; after uhirh ijune of the suhji-rls ol Hi-. M.«J«'sly of 
 Great Bril.tin shall he boinjlit, •joUl, or made slaves, in aiiN part of 
 the doiiiiiiioiis of tile Kins; of Fez aiui Morocco, on an\ pielencc 
 ♦vhatsoever. AiidtlM- ratification hereof >li.ill be e\cli.iittied within 
 the space of six inoiiihs, or sooner if possible ; and if it so Imppeo 
 that in the mean time any captnre shonid be made on either party 
 to his dama<;e or harm, reparation shall be made ihireol by tb* 
 captor, accordinjf to tlie rate at which the ships or ::oo<ls, or both, 
 ihall appear to have been sohl ; and whatsoever part tiiereof shall 
 remain undisposed of, shall immediately be restored in specie, and 
 the men set at liberty. That the peace shall be contiruied and i»- 
 tified HI Spanish; and shall be received and be of equal force, M 
 if it was in the language of either nation. 
 
 No. in, 
 
 ARTICLES of Peace and Commerce letireen TJis Most Sacred Mo- 
 jesy King George, Sfc. and the most excelleyit lords Ihili hatha, 
 Hassan Ben Hali Bey, Cam Mustapha Dei/, the Ago, and ths 
 Douwan of the noble city of Tunis, and the u'hole body of militia 
 of the said kingdom renciced and concluded in the year of Chriii 
 1716, by John Baker, Esq. vice-admiral, Si'c. 
 
 I. That all former grievances, losses, and other |.relen>>ions h** 
 tween both parties, shall be void, and of no eftVct, and from henete- 
 Ibrward a firm peace for ever, free traile ami commerce, shallbt 
 •nd continue between the snhjerls of His Most Sacred .Ma^sty 
 Georoe, Kinj? of Greit Britain, <kc. and ih- people of the kingdom 
 of Tunis, and dominions thereunt<» bt lot ;,Mii<i ; but lliat this Hrlich 
 ffball not cancel or make void any just <ie ii, either in commerce ctr 
 otherwise, that may be due from one |er3<jn > r person's to utIieM 
 -of either party, but that the same shall be liable to be demande*^ 
 and be recoverable as before. 
 
 II. That the ship* of either party shall have (ret liberty to w^r
 
 408 APPENDIX. 
 
 iijto any port or river belonging to the dominions of either party, 
 paying the duties only for what they shall sell, transporting the rest 
 without iny trouble or uiolestaiion, and freely enjov any nlher ac- 
 castonied privileges ; and the kite exaction which hath been upon 
 ihe lading nod unlading of goods at Goletta, and the marine, shall 
 bereducrd to the ancient custom in those cases. 
 
 III. That there shall be no seizure of any ship of either parly at 
 sea, or in port ; bui that they shall quietly pass, without any mo- 
 lestation or interruption, they displaying their colours ; and for the 
 prevention of all inconveniences that may happen, the ships of Tunis 
 are to have a certiticate, under the hand and seal of the British con- 
 sul, that they belong to Tunis ; which being produced, the 
 English shij) shall admit two men to come on board iliem peaceably, 
 and satisfy tht'uiselves that they are English ; and although they have 
 pas3eni;ers of other nations on board, they shall be free, both they 
 and their etiects. 
 
 IV. Tlidt if an English ship shall receive on board any goods or 
 passengers belonging to the Kinadom of Tunis, they shall be bound 
 to defen<l them and their goods, so far as lies in their power, and 
 not deliver them unto their enemies ; and the better to prevent any 
 unjust demand being made upon the crown of Great Britain, and to 
 avoid disputes and ditJ'ereuces which may arise, ail goods and mer- 
 chandizes, that shall frouj henceforward be shipped by the subjects 
 of this {,'overnment, either in this port, or any other whatsoever, 
 on board the ships or vessels belonging to Great Britain, shall be 
 first entered in the olfire of Caucellaria, before the British consul re- 
 siding at the respective court, expressing the quantity, quality, and 
 value of the goods so shipped, which the said consul is to certify in 
 the clearance which is jsjiven to the said ship or vessel, before she de- 
 parts; to the end that, if any cause of complaint should happen 
 hereafter, there may be no greater claim made on the British nation 
 than by this method shall be proved to be just and equita- 
 ble. 
 
 -V. That if any ships of either party shall, by accident of fonl 
 weather or otherwise, be cast away upon any coasts belonging to the 
 other party, the persons shall be free, and the goods saved and deli- 
 vered to their lawful proprietors. 
 
 VI. That the English which do at present, or shall hereafter in- 
 habit in the city or kingdom of Tunis, shall have free liberty, when
 
 APPENDIX. 40i> 
 
 they pieuse, to transport thcmselvfs with their farnilios ai.d c!ii!ilrcn, 
 ?hoiiyh l)orii in the country. 
 
 VH. That the people hclongiiijj to the (loniinlons of cilhcr jmrt* 
 shall not he ahused wilh iil iiinou.igc, or ollierwise ill tretiled. bii't 
 ihal the parlies so olTeucling shall be punislied according' lo iheir de- 
 sert. 
 
 VIII. That the consul, or any oilier of t'le En^li^Ji nrsiiou resid- 
 ing at Tunis shall not i>e forced to mnke their addre-^scs, in any dif- 
 ferenre, to any court ofjustice, hut to the dey hioisi'Il', from whom 
 only they shall receive jud^'ment : this ij in rase any t!isj)ule should 
 arise bet«een a subject of Great Britain and one of Jliis ^(Aeruiiietif, 
 or of any other foreign nation : but if it siiould be betureii any two 
 of his inajesty's subjtcts, then it shall be decided by llie Bri!is!i coiv 
 sul only. 
 
 IX. That the consul, or any other of the English na'.ioi}, shall not 
 be liable to pay l!ie debts of any particular persoti of that tiation, un- 
 less obliged thereunto under his haiid. 
 
 X. That as live island of ^iinorca iii the Meiiiterr^ncan sea, and 
 the city of Gibraltar in Sj)ain, have been jieided and annexed 
 t-o tJje crown of Great Britain, as weli by the King of Spain 
 as by all the several powers in Europe, engaged in the late war, 
 it is hereby agreed and fully concluded, that from this time forward, 
 for ever, the said island of Miiiorca and city of Gibraltar shall be 
 esteemed, in ev<iry respect, by the government of Tunis^, to be part 
 of His Majesty's own domiiaions ; and the inhahilanis thereof shall 
 be looked upon as Ilis Majesty's natural subjects, in the same 
 manner as if they had been born in any part of Great Britain; and 
 they, with their ships and vessels wearing the British colours, shall 
 be permitted freely to trade and traHick in any j)art 4if the Kircdom 
 of Tunis, and shall pass without any molestation whatsoever, either 
 on the seas or elsewhere, in the same manner, and with the same 
 freedom and privileges, as have been slipulate<l in this i-.n'J all fop- 
 uier treaties in behalf of the British natiim and subje< fs. 
 
 XI. And the belter and more iirmty lo maintain the good corres- 
 pondence and fiieiidship that have been so l^ng ami >>o happily es- 
 tablished between the <:rown of (rreat Britain and the government 
 of Tunis, it is hereby ngrced anil concluded, by the parties .tbove 
 mentioned, that none of the ships or vessels belonging to ruiii<;, or 
 "the dominions tjiereof, shall be permitted, to crui^^e, or look for 
 prizes of any nation whatisoever, before or in sight of the afore9?i(j 
 
 10 3 rr
 
 4J0 a'ppexdtx. 
 
 citr uf Gibraltar, or auv ports of the island of Minorca, to hinder 
 or molest any vessels brini;3!)g provisions and refresiiircnts tor h\-i 
 BritMisiiic Majesty's subjects, troops, and gvirrisons iniliOiie places, 
 or give any disturbance to the tra<ie iiiid commerce therviit'; and if 
 any prizes sliiiU be taken by the sbips or ves>els of Tunis, within 
 the space of (en utiles of (he places aforesaid, it shall be restored 
 without any dis|)u;e. 
 
 All. That al! the ships of uar belonging; to either party's domi- 
 nions shall have free liberty to use each ollier's ports for washing, 
 cleaning', and re|>airiiiq any of Iheir defects, aiid to buy and ship 
 <^ifTany sorls of victuals, alive cr dead, or any otiier necessaries, a$ 
 the |)rice the natives boy it in the market, without payin;j; custom 
 to any otiicer. And whereas His Britannic Majesty's s!i{))s of v.-ar 
 do frequently assenjbie and harbour in the port of Mahon, in the 
 ishmd of Rlirioicii, if at any Jiu-e they, or any of liis Majesty's 
 troops in garrison thtre, shrjuid be in want of provisions, and should 
 send from thence to purchase suj^plies in any pail of ihe donuniuns 
 belonging to Tunis, they shall be permitted to buy cattle, alive or 
 dead, and all other kind pf provision, at the price they are sold al 
 in the nsarket, and sliail b</suftered to carry them off without paying 
 duty to anv officer, in the same nianner as if His Majesty's ships 
 themselves were in the port. 
 
 XHI. Tiiat in case any ships of war belonging to the kingdom of 
 Tunis shall take, in any of tiieir eneuues ships, any Englishmau 
 serving for wages, they are to be made slaves ; hut if nserchanto 
 or pasiengers, they are to enjoy their liberty and effects unmo- 
 lested. 
 
 XIV. That in case any slave in the kingdom of Tunis of any na- 
 tion whatsoever, shall nsake his escape, and get on board any ship 
 belonging to the dominions of Great Britain, tiie consul shall not 
 be liable to pay the ransom, unless timely notice be givt=n him, to 
 order that none such be entertained; and then, if it appears that 
 any slave has so got away, the said consul shall pay to his patroorj 
 the price for which he was sold in the market; and if no price be 
 set, theji to pay three hundred dollars, and no more. 
 
 XV. And the better trfprevent^any dispute tlrat n)ay arise hereaf- 
 ter between tiie two parties about the salutes and public ceremonies, 
 it is hereby agreed and concluded, that wjiericver any flag ofiicer of 
 Great Britain shall arrive in the bay o/ Tunis, in any of His Majes- 
 ty's ships of war, immidistely upon notice given of it, there shall be
 
 APPENDIX. 411 
 
 twentj-five cannon fired from the castle of Golctl.i, or any other Iht 
 nearest fortification btlou^inj; to Tunis, according locusioni, and at 
 a royal salute to His Brilaimic Wnjeslv's colours; and the same 
 number shall be relumed in auNuer therrto by His ^Iai^'^lv'■* sliip* "• 
 and it is hereby stipulated and agreed, lli.il all cereinnnie>, ol' honour 
 shall be allowed to the Biitish consul who reside^ here, to repre- 
 sent in every respect His Majesty's person, equal to any olh.-r nation 
 whatsoever; and that no other consul in the kingdom shall be ad- 
 Biitted beiore him in precedency. 
 
 XVI. That the subjects of His Britannic Majesty, eiiher residing 
 in or tradin;,' to the Tunisian domijiions, shall not, for the lime to 
 come, pay any more Uhaii three per cent, custom on the value 
 of goods or liierchandiijes, which they shall bring into or carry out 
 of the kingdom of Tunis. 
 
 XVH. It is moreover agreed, concluded, and established, that 
 at whatsoever time the said government of Tunis shall please to 
 reduce the customs of the French nation to le.s than they pay 
 at present, it shall be always .d)'.erved, that the British custom! 
 shall be two percent, less than any aureeenient that shall be here- 
 after made with the said French oV than shall be paid by the said 
 subjects of France. 
 
 XVIII. It is moreover agreed, concluded, and cstal)iishe<l, that 
 in case any British ship or ships, or any of the subjects ot Hu 
 Britannic "Miijesty, shall import at the port of Tunis or any pari 
 of this kingdom, any warlike stores, as cannons, muskets, pistols, 
 ciuinon-pouder, or fine powder, bullets, masts, anchors, cables, 
 pilch, tar, or llielike; they shall not pay any duly or custom what- 
 m-sever for any sueli kinds of merchandize. 
 
 Read, approve*], and ratified, by the parties above mentioned, ati^d 
 signed and dialed by them in the said city of Tunis, ou th« 
 30th Hsn' of August, O. S. A. D. I7»^'- 
 
 THE fi\VX>. 
 
 iL iiiiw..ids, I'nnlcr, 
 C-cAite-fOM"-, Fleet stieei, London-