Others were disbanded for the same reasons by Sidi Mohammed.  Still, the effect of this new colonization was beneficially experienced throughout the country.  The Moors taking the black women as concubines, a mixed race of industrious people sprang up, and gave an impetus to the empire.  It is questionable, however, if North Africa could he colonized by negroes.  By mixing with the Caucasian race, this experiment partly succeeded.  But in general, North Africa is too bleak and uncongenial for the negroes’ nature during winter.  The negro race does not increase of itself on this coast.  Their present number is kept up by a continual supply of slaves.  When this is stopped, coloured people will begin gradually to disappear.

It is unnecessary to tell my readers that the Shereefs are very sensitive on matters of religion; but an anecdote or two may amuse them.  A French writer expatiating in true Gallic style, calls Morocco the “arriere-garde en Afrique of Islamism,” and “une de ses armees de reserve.”  Indeed, the coasts and cities of Morocco are inundated with saints of every description and degree of sanctity.  Morocco, in fact, is not only the classic land of Marabouts, but their home and haunt, and sphere of agitation.  There are ten thousand Abd-el-Kaders and Bou Mazas all disputing authority with the High Priest, who sits on the green throne of the Shereefs.  Sometimes they assume the character of demagogues, and inveigh against the rapacity and corruption of the court and government.  At others they appear as prophets, prophets of ill, by preaching boldly the Holy war.

The French in Africa now furnish them with an everlasting theme of denunciation.  From Morocco they travel eastwards, filling the Sahara and the Atlas with the odours of their holy reputation.  So that religious light, like that of civilization, is now moving from the west—­eastwards, instead of, as in times past, from the east—­eastwards.  The Maroquine Mahometans may be cited as a case in point.  They find too frequently only the form of religion in the east, as we do in the eastern churches.  They are beginning to assault Mecca as we have assaulted Jerusalem.

Now for an anecdote or two illustrative of the high state of orthodoxy professed by the Shereefs.  Some time ago, a number of handkerchiefs were brought, or rather smuggled into Mogador, having printed upon them passages from the Koran.  One of them got into the hands of the Emperor, who thinking the Christians were ridiculing the Sacred Book, ordered instanter all the cities of the coast to be searched to discover the offender who introduced them.  Happily for the merchant he was not found out.  His Highness commanded that all the handkerchiefs which were collected should be destroyed.  When Mr. Davidson was at Morocco, he prescribed some Seidlitz water for the use of the Sultan, and placed on the sides of two bottles, containing the beverage, Arabic verses from the Koran.  The Sultan was exceedingly exasperated at this compliment to his religion, and had it privately intimated to Mr. Davidson not to desecrate the Holy Book in that abominable manner.  The latter then very prudently gave up to the minister all the printed verses he had brought with him, which were concealed from public view.  But if some of these emperors are so rigid and scrupulous, there are others more liberal and tolerant.