The Moors, as the inhabitants of this country are called, are a very ancient and warlike people, who were at one time a very powerful race.

In the twelfth century they conquered Andalusia, Valencia, and a part of Aragon in Spain, together with a portion of Portugal.  In Spain they established the Kingdom of Granada, about which so many enchanting poems and romances have been written.

In the city of Granada they built the famous Alhambra.  This magnificent palace and citadel was built by the Moorish kings of Granada in the thirteenth century.  The Royal Villa, the Generaliffe, which is also in the city of Granada, was built about the same time.

The Alhambra and the Generaliffe are considered two of the most beautiful buildings in the world.  The architecture and the decorations are perfect in detail and execution.  You must read some time Washington Irving’s “Alhambra.”  It is filled with interesting legends of these Moorish palaces.

The Moors were driven out of Spain in the fifteenth century.

They are still a very warlike people, and have had frequent campaigns against France and Spain.

Their country is supposed to be very rich in minerals, but as yet it has not been developed.

A great part of the trade of Morocco is controlled by foreigners, and in consequence special laws have had to be made to protect the traders.

According to the treaty between the United States and the Sultan of Morocco, American traders are allowed to employ two natives as agents for the sale of their goods.  These natives are given the same protection as Americans.

The trouble with Morocco arose from the fact that one of the native agents, while returning from his rounds, was assaulted and robbed of $1,200, the outrage occurring in broad daylight in front of the consulate.

The merchant for whom the agent was working reported the matter to the Moorish Government, and demanded that the thieves should be arrested and punished.

Notwithstanding that these robbers were well-known characters, the Moorish authorities made no attempt to bring them to justice, and paid no attention to the protests of the Consul.

The agent and the merchant immediately filed a claim for damages against the Moorish Government, and the Consul cabled to this country, asking that an American gunboat be sent to Tangier, to show the Moors that the United States proposes to protect her citizens.

The flag-ship San Francisco and the cruiser Raleigh immediately set out for Tangier, one of the principal seaports of Morocco.

The appearance of these vessels had a very healthy effect on the authorities.  One of the robbers was immediately arrested, and the Moors agreed to search for the other and bring him to justice.

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A story comes from Oklahoma that gophers have completely destroyed a canal which has recently been built at an expense of $40,000.