and the Moorish civilization is almost on a par with that of the Grecian, Sicilian, or Maltese, and quite equal to Turkish advancement in the arts and sciences of the nineteenth century.  The only real advantage of the Turks over the Moors consists in the improvements the former have made in the organization of the army.  Whoever travels through Morocco, and will but open his eyes to survey its rich valleys and fertile plains, will be impressed with the conviction that this country, cultivated by an industrious population, and fostered by a paternal government, is capable of producing all the agricultural wealth of the north and the south of Europe, as well as the Tropics, and of maintaining its inhabitants in happiness and plenty.

CHAPTER VI.

Influence of French Consuls.—­Arrival of the Governor of Mogador from the Capital; he brings an order to imprison the late Governor; his character, and mode of administering affairs.—­Statue of a Negress at the bottom of a well.—­Spanish Renegades.—­Various Wedding Festivals of Jews.—­Frequent Fetes and Feastings amongst the Jewish population of Morocco.—­Scripture Illustration, “Behold the Bridegroom cometh!”—­Jewish Renegades.—­How far women have souls.—­Infrequency of Suicides.

Notwithstanding the sarcasm of a French journalist that the French and other Europeans consuls are “consuls des jusifs, et pour la protection des jusifs,” the French consuls both here and at Tangier, have real power and influence with the Government.

The Governor of Mogador, Sidi Haj El-Arby, arrived from Morocco.  His Excellency feared an attack from the Shedma and the Hhaha people, and was obliged to have a strong escort.  Not long ago, the Sultan himself had a narrow escape from falling into the hands of a band of insurgents; their object was to make their lord-paramount a prisoner, and extort concessions as the price of his liberty.  This will help us to form an opinion of the want of sympathy between potentate and subjects in Morocco.

His Excellency brought an order from the Imperial despot to imprison the late governor, if the balance of 6,000 dollars was not instantly forthcoming, he having only paid nine out of the 15,000 demanded.  The late governor was confined in his house, instead of in the common prison.  It was said he was worth 30,000 dollars, but that he was afraid to make too prompt a payment of the demand of the Emperor, lest he should be called upon for more.  However, his furniture, horses, and mules were sold in the public streets; a melancholy spectacle was the degradation of a former governor of this city. [23]

The Moors look upon these things as matters of course, or with indifference, quietly ejaculating, “It is destiny! who can resist?” but the Moor, nevertheless, can clearly discern that wealth is a crime in the eyes of their sovereign.  I am not surprised at the present governor absolutely rejecting all presents, and making the people call him by the soubriquet of “the Governor of no presents,”