The sultan had frequently requested Mr. Ritchie to visit his children, and some of his negresses when they were indisposed, and he had in consequence frequently attended them, but being himself confined by illness, Captain Lyon was allowed to prescribe for them, and had therefore frequent opportunities of observing the interior of his family, which would not otherwise have been afforded him.  He was much struck with the appearance of his daughters, one of three, the other of one year and a half old, who were dressed in the highest style of barbarian magnificence, and were absolutely laden with gold.  From their necks were suspended large ornaments of the manufacture of Timbuctoo; and they had massive gold armlets and anklets of two inches in breadth, and half an inch in thickness, which, from their immense weight had produced callous rings round the legs and arms of the poor infants.  They wore silk shirts composed of ribbons sewed together, in stripes of various colours, which hung down over silk trousers.  An embroidered waistcoat and cap completed this overwhelming costume.  Their nails, the tips of their fingers, the palms of their hands and soles of their feet were dyed dark-brown with henna.  Captain Lyon viewed with amazement and pity the dress of these poor little girls, borne down as they were with finery; but that of the youngest boy, a stupid looking child of four years old, was even more preposterous than that of his sisters.  In addition to the ornaments worn by them, he was loaded with a number of charms, enclosed in gold cases, slung round his body, while in his cap were numerous jewels, heavily set in gold, in the form of open hands, to keep off the evil eye. These talismans were sewn on the front of his cap, which they entirely covered.  His clothes were highly embroidered, and consisted of three waistcoats, a shirt of white silk, the women only wearing coloured ones, and loose cloth, silk, or muslin trousers.

The costume of the sultan’s court or hangers-on, is strictly Tripoline, and as fine as lace or presents of cast off-clothes can make them.  It is the custom with Mukni, in imitation of the bashaw, to bestow occasionally on his principal people some article of dress.  Those presents are made with much affected dignity, by throwing the garment to the person intended to be honoured, and saying, “Wear that,” the dress is immediately put on in his presence, and the receiver kneels and kisses his hand in token of gratitude.  Captain Lyon once saw the old kadi, who was very corpulent, receive as a gift a kaftan, which was so small for him, that when he had squeezed himself into it, he was unable to move his arms, and was in that condition obliged to walk home.