The French And English Have Always Negotiated And
Corresponded, Corresponded And Negotiated, And Been Worsted Once And
Worsted Again.
Somehow or other, the Emperor has, in most cases, had his
own way.
Neither the American nor our own European system is the right
or dignified course. And I am still of opinion, that the Maroquine Court
is so far enlightened respecting the actual state of the barbarians or
Christian infidels, out of its Shereefian land of Marabouts, out of its
central orthodox Mussulman land of the Mugreb, as to be accessible to
ordinary notions of things, and that it would always concede a just
demand if it were rightly and vigorously pressed, and if the religious
fanaticism of its people were not involved in the transaction. Thus far
we may do justice to the government of these Moorish princes.
This opinion, however, does not altogether coincide with that of the
late Mr. Hay. According to the report of Mr. Borrow, as found in his
work, "The Bible of Spain," the Moorish government, according to Mr.
Hay, was "one of the vilest description, with which it was next to
impossible to hold amicable relations, as it invariably acted with bad
faith, and set at nought the most solemn treaties." But, if the
Maroquine Court had acted in this most extraordinary manner, surely
there would now be no Moorish empire of Western Barbary.
CHAPTER II.
Arrival at Tangier. - Moorish Pilgrims in Cordova. - Address of the
Anti-Slavery Society. - Mr. D. Hay, British Consul. - Institut
d'Afrique. - Conveyance of Eunuchs in vessels under the French
Flag. - Franco-Moorish Politics. - Corn Monopolies in Morocco. - Love and
veneration for the English name. - Celebration of the Ayd-Kebir, great
festival. Value of Money in Morocco. - Juvenile Strolling
Singer. - General account of the city of Tangier. - Intercourse between
the Moorish Emperor and the Foreign Consuls. - Cockney sportsmen, - The
degrading of high Moorish Functionaries. - How we smuggle Cattle from
Tangier to Gibraltar. - The Blood-letting of plethoric Placemen.
The communication between Gibraltar and Tangier is by no means easy and
regular, though the places are only a few hours' distance from the
other. I had waited many days at Gib. (as our captain called the former
place), before the wind enabled us to leave, and then, our boat being a
small transport for cattle, and the Government contractors wanting beef
for the garrison - for an Englishman or an English soldier cannot live in
any part of the world without beef - we were compelled to leave with the
wind in our teeth, and to make a night's voyage of this four or five
hours' traverse. It might be worth while, one would think, to try a
small steam-tug for the conveyance of cattle from Tangier to our
garrison, which, besides, would be a great convenience for passengers.
On coming on deck in the morning, Tangier, "the city protected of the
Lord," appeared in all its North African lineaments, white and bright,
shining, square masses of masonry, domes of fair and modest santos, and
the heaven-pointing minarets; here and there a graceful palm, a dark
olive, or the black bushy kharoub, and all denned sharply and clearly in
the goodly prospect.
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