But Colonel Shiel was fortunate in obtaining several
opinions of Mahomet that - "The worst of men is the seller of men" - was a
powerful auxiliary. The perseverance of the Minister and his agents in
Persia has been crowned with complete success; the Schah has issued a
firman prohibiting the Slave Trade in his territories. This firman will
complete our command over the Persian Gulf and the Arabian seas, and
enable our cruisers to intercept the slavers from the eastern shore of
Africa.
[8] No people understand better than the Moors the noble feeling of
gratitude, contained in the words "Non nobis, Domine," &c.
[9] Although _Sultana_, i.e., "Sultanness or Princess," is a frequent
name for a woman in this country, I hare never heard of a man being
called Sultan; and, indeed, I imagine the jealousy of the reigning
sovereign would never permit the use of such a name. But even in this
country, where women are treated as so many household chattels, Moorish
gallantry is sufficient to overlook these trivial or serious
pretensions.
[10] "Souvenir d'un Voyage du Maroc," par M. Rey, Paris.
[11] The value of this ducat is about half-a-crown English money.
[12] Count Qrabert gives the following account of Maroquine Blacks: "The
Blacks who form a very numerous part of the population are most of them
slaves, and as it is customary in barbarous countries, become an object
of trade, though not to be compared with that carried on in other parts
of Barbary. The Black is generally of a soft and kind disposition, bears
fatigue with patience, and shows a serene and lively temper, totally
different in that respect from the Moor, who is taciturn and sullen.
Some of them have become men of prosperity and note, after having
recovered their liberty. They are renowned for their fidelity, and form
the most numerous part of the body-guards of the Sultan; that body-guard
makes about the half of the army, which on an average compose a total of
ten thousand men. The greater part of those Blacks comes from
Senegambia, Guinea, and the dominions of the Fellah or Fellani."
(_Specchio geografico e Statistico dell' Impero di Marocco. Geneva._)
[13] Some time since, when the French Government were anxious to get
supplies of grain from the Levant, for the north of France, they sent
steamers to the Straits, to be ready to tow the vessels through, an
example worthy of imitation, in other times besides seasons of famine.
[14] This conduct of Roman Catholic sailors has often been noticed.
Mahometans do the same, and resign themselves to fate, _i.e._, make no
effort to save themselves; the only difference is, they are less noisy,
and more sullen in their spiritless resignation.
[15] The entrance to the port of Mogador, however, is difficult to all
seamen. We were besides in the depth of winter. The Prince de Joinville
describes his mishaps during the height of summer, or in August, when
placing his vessels in position before the town. He says in his report
of the bombardment: "New difficulties, and of more than one kind awaited
us. For four days, the violence of the wind and the roughness of the sea
prevented us from communicating with one another. Anchored upon a rocky
bottom, our anchors and cables broke, and the loss of them deprived us
of resources which were indispensable in order to obtain our object.
Some vessels had only one chain and one anchor. We could not think of
maintaining ourselves before Mogador under sail. The violence of the
currents and of the gale, would probably have carried us too far, and we
should have lost the opportunity of acting. Besides, in causing the
steamers to get to proceed with us, they would have consumed their fuel,
and in leaving them by themselves they would be exposed to run short of
provisions and water. It was therefore necessary to remain at anchor. At
last, the wind abated, and there remained of the hurricane of the
preceding days, a considerable swell from N.N.W. Then the vessels were
tormented by the swell, and became ungovernable."
[16] The Ancient Numidians rode without saddle or bridle They were
celebrated as the "reinless" Numidians -
"Numidae infraeni." - (AEnaid, iv., 41.)
We are aware that another meaning to _infraeni_ has been given, that of
"indomitable;" but the peculiarity of these horsemen riding without
reins is the usual rendering. But ordinarily, the modern Moorish cavalry
is very comfortably mounted. Their saddles, with high backs, are as
commodious as a chair. The large, broad, shovel-stirrups enable the
rider to stand upright as on terra firma, whilst the sharp iron edges of
the stirrups goring the ribs of the poor animal, serve as spurs. These
lacerating stirrups are tied up short to the saddle, and the knees of
the rider are bent forwards in a very ungainly manner. Nevertheless, the
barb delights in the "powder play" as much as his master, and -
"Each generous steed to meet the play aspires,
And seconds, with his own, his master's fires;
He neighs, he foams, he paws the ground beneath,
And smoke and flame his swelling nostrils breathe."
[17] The fire of the Barbary horse is generally known, but few reflect
upon the power of endurance which this animal possesses. I have known
them to go without water for two or three days when crossing the Desert,
during which time they will only receive a small measure of corn or a
few dates. On the coast, they are driven hard a long day, sweating, and
covered with foam, their sides bleeding from the huge sharp-edged
stirrups. Without the slightest covering, they are left out the whole
night, and their only evening meal is a little chopped barley-straw.
