Institutes which have furnished the error; always conquering, and never subdued; and altogether ing so grotesque an exhibition of the materials of this review, that the waywardness of the world, as might tempt us to smile in scorn at the perverseness of human nature, were not every disposition to contempt restrained by the consideration, that the individuals playing this game of controversy are, in the most serious sense, losers to a heavy amount; since such religious inquirers may be pursued at the cost of their salvation. We all require to be reminded of the old remark, the quaintness of which does not derogate from its verity, that in scriptural truth "there are shallows where the lamb may wade, and depths where the elephant may swim;" and need, in consequence, to be warned, lest we venture into the deeps, and, after much sanguine computation of our buoyancy, sink and perish for ever. It has been wisely said, "Myst'ries are food for angels; they digest With ease, and find them nutriment; While yet he dwells below, must stoop Cowper's Posthumous Poems, In the closing paragraph, we are anxious to repeat the hope, that no individual of any party whatsoever will misuse the present recurrence to the name and writings of Calvin, by making it the occasion of reviving the evils of controversy. That our design throughout is pacific, and favourable to practical utility, is, we trust, evident from the execution. Zealous partisans, on every side, will probably be dissatisfied; not, it is presumed, by what has been said, but by what has been omitted; and in such a case, we know but too well that silence, in their view, merits condem. nation. We request, however, that before sentence is passed, the judges on either side will themselves faithfully read those neutral parts of the pronounce their decisions with the legitimate authority of knowledge, derived from the accredited sources of information. We shall be satisfied, in the interval, if it can be impartially asserted, that we have drawn up a plain and ful article upon a subject bordering on the most restless and fiery regions of controversy, in the spirit of quietness, and dispassionate sincerity. use Narrative of a ten-years' Resi dence at Tripoli, in Africa, from the original Correspondence in the Possession of the Family of the late RICHARD TULLY, Esq. the British Consul; comprising authentic Memoirs and Anecdotes of the reigning Bashaw, his Fa mily, and other Persons of Distinction: also an Account of the domestic Manners of the Moors, Arabs, and Turks. London: Colburn. 1817. Second Edition. 4to. pp. xiv. 370. IT is a trite observation, that, when we become accustomed to our bless- surround, They, who their thoughtless hours in giddy mirth And wanton, often cruel, riot waste; How many feel this very moment death, By shameful variance betwixt man and man; How many pine in want and dungeon" It was one of those clear still nights use Of their own limbs, how many drink Of baleful grief, or eat the bitter bread This affecting thought has continually occurred to us, while read. ing the sprightly and interesting work, of which the title stands at the head of this article. It is an exposition of the manners, condition, and character of the Moors of Tripoli, and the other states of Barbary, and is well calculated to impress the feeling mind with a sense of the superior advantages which we enjoy in a higher state of civilization; and still more, we hope, with thankfulness for those invaluable improvements which Christianity has introduced even into the temporal, to say nothing here of the spiritual, condition of all classes of persons within the sphere of its influence. The volume consists of a series of letters, written by a lady, who was sister to the British Consul at Tripoli, and who, during ten years, in which she resided with him at that place, enjoyed the closest intimacy with those commonly-inaccessible personages the ladies of the bashaw's harem; and of course had constant access to all other Moors of distinction. The letters contain a description of facts as they occurred, and of manners as they presented themselves; and, as the period in question was a most eventful one at Tripoli, the result is a collection of interesting particulars, well selected, and elegantly, though too negligently written, and which throw considerable light on a corner of society which is generally involved in studied and impenetrable obscurity. "Of the powers of this lady in description we offer the following specimen to our readers; premising, however, that we are not responsible for the grammatical inaccuracies which deform this and the succeeding extracts. known only in the Mediterranean: the bright beams of the moon from a bril liant sky, distinctly discovered to us the greatest part of the Messeah with every object in it. The silence in the town was striking: nothing denoted a night of cheerful relaxation after a long day's fast in Ramadan, at which time the Moors are seen in their yards, and on their terraces, profiting by the few hours' relief they can enjoy from sunset to sunrise, to prepare them for another day's abstinence. The greatest part of the inhabitants were without the ramparts guarding the town; and the rest of the Moors, instead of being seen sitting on their terraces, were, by their fears and the Bashaw's orders, retired within their houses. In the streets no objects were visible but the town guard with about in vain for some strolling victim their hungry pack of dogs, prowling to repay them for their vigilance. Near us, not a sound broke upon the ear but that of the slow-swelling wave that washed the walls of the town; while, at a great distance on a calm sea, the white sails of the passing vessels were distinctly visible by the clearness of the night. Opposed to this calm, were the confused screams and the incessant firing in the Pianura and in the country round, accompanied by the loud song of war, and the continual beating of the tambura, or drum, to call the Moors and Arabs to arms. Frequent parties of Moorish horsemen and foot soldiers, we distinctly saw by the light of the moon passing with swiftness over the sands in pursuit of the Arabs. The death song breaking from different parts of the country, often announced to us the loss of some distinguished person on either side, who at that mament was numbered with the slain." p. 289. We subjoin another passage, in which many persons will recognize a striking similarity to the account of the ostrich in Xenophon's Expedition of the younger Cyrus. "The Venetian galliots sailed hence some weeks since, carrying ostriches, antelopes, and parrots, as presents from is asserted that the ostrich will eat iron. the Consul for the Doge of Venice. It That they may, but that they do not always digest what they eat, we have had a recent and singular proof. While the above-mentioned ostriches were at the Venetian house, some days previous to their being embarked, a silver snuff-box was missing. One of the ostriches died soon after it was on board; and the cap tain of the frigate, regretting the loss of the ostrich consigned to his care for the Doge, had the bird opened on board, to ascertain the cause of its death. Within the stomach was found some pieces of a broken lantern, nails, keys, and the identical snuff-box, which, from its size and shape, proved too much for the ostrich to digest, and consequently caused its death. "The Arabs, when they go to hunt these birds, carry with them no other provision than wheat wetted with water. They take no other nourishment than this sorry food till they find an ostrich, which they roast and feed on, while enjoying the thought of the treasures its feathers will yield them. The Arabs will follow an ostrich for six or seven days successively, by which time it is so fatigued for want of food and rest, that it easily suffers itself to be taken, and the feathers are considered as a full reward for the laborious trouble of taking it. The prime feathers, in the first state they are taken from the bird, will fetch from one to three sequins here." p. 297. The use, however, which we propose to make of this volume, is to select from it some striking facts, detailed with an easy felicity of manner, and which may serve, by God's blessing, to make us more thankful than we are apt to be, for the climate in which we live, the national habits in which we are educated, the temperate government by which we are protected, and above all for the sound and enlightened religion which is every where professed, and which sheds an indisputably beneficial lustre around both individuals and the community. It is commonly observed of Englishmen, that their comfort depends more upon weather than that of • most other nations; that it enters more into their conversation and calculations, and more immediately affects their spirits and engage ments. If this be a true report, we ought not to repine at a climate, which with all its changeableness affords perhaps more days And, perhaps, had we space to detail the accounts given in this volume of the deserts of Barca, the Campsing winds, and the dangers from wild beasts in the caravans of Africa, they would make us better satisfied than we are wont to be with these mild and gentle recommendations. To all this we might add the plague, from which we are happily exempted, but which raged for a long while at Tripoli, during the residence of our authoress in that city. Again; with regard to national customs, is it not an unquestionable cause of thankfulness, to an all-wise Providence, that we have not to contend against the pernicious effect of habits such as those which are described in the following extracts, and to which many others equally revolting might be added. "The Moors marry so extremely young, that the mother and her first born are often seen together as playmates, equally anxious and angry in an infantine game. The women here are often grandmothers at twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age; and it is therefore no wonder they live frequently to see the children of many of their ge neration." p. 31. "The Moorish ladies are in general occupied in overlooking a numerous set of slaves, who make their sweetmeats and cakes, clean and grind their wheat, spin, and, in short, are set about whatever seems necessary to be done. The ladies inspect by turns the dressing of in this way, two sets of slaves are in atthe victuals, and during the time spent tendance; one set perform the culinary operations, while another station themselves round their mistress, removing instantly from her sight any thing that may annoy her, and using fans without intermission, to keep off flies or insects, while she leans on one or other of the slaves, walking about to direct and overlook what is doing. "One of the reasons given, why even the ladies of the royal family must minutely attend to this part of their duty, is, to prevent the possibility of any treachery being practised in preparing their husbands' meals. The hours the Turkish or Moorish ladies have to spare for amusement, is spent in singing and dancing. Abderrahman's eldest daughter and the pretty Greek tied up a swing the morning after they came to live near us, which constituted a great part of the day's amusement: their black slaves and servants served for playfellows. They seemed, none of them, from the first, to want spirits; except the Greek, in whose most cheerful moments there was a melancholy and care spread over her countenance, which reminded us of her losses, and of the anxious solicitude she felt, that the ambassador might be convinced she had acted up to all his wishes in his absence. This painful, and sometimes dangerous diffidence of their husbands, must be the constant companion of the best female characters in this part of the world, where continual plots, the consequence of jealousy and interest, are working against them by all around." pp. 120, 121. “In our way to Lilla Halluma's apartments, the great concourse of people at the castle rendered it as usual impossible to proceed a step without being surrounded by attend ants to clear the way. "The apartments of the two brides were entirely lined with the richest silks. A seat elevated near six feet from the ground, in the alcove, the most distinguished part of the room, was prepared for the bride, where she sat concealed from the spectators by an embroidered silk veil thrown over her. Her most confidential friends only went up to speak to her, by ascending seven or eight steps placed on the right hand side for their approach; they then introduced themselves to her preseuce by cautiously lifting the veil that covered her, being very careful not to expose any part of her person to the spectators beneath the etiquette was to speak but a few words, in order to afford time for other ladies to pay their court to her. Her eyelashes were deeply tinged with black; and her face was painted red and white, but not ornamented with gold. Lilla Howisha is one of the handsomest women in Tripoli. Her dress was the same as I have already described to you, but the gold and silver jewels with which it was almost covered, left little, of its texture to be seen; her slippers were brilliant, discovering her foot and ankle, which were partially died with henna, nearly the colour of ebony; and she wore on her ancles double gold bracelets, The jewels on her fingers appeared more brilliant from the dark colour underneath them, which also added much to the whiteness of her hand and arm. "Two slaves attended to support the two tresses of her hair behind, which were so much adorned with jewels, and gold and silver ornaments, that if she had risen from her seat she could not have spported the immense weight of them. "Magnificent tables were prepared at each of the bride's houses, furnished with the choicest delicacies of hot viands, fresh and dry preserves, and fruits peculiar to the country. These tables were surrounded with gold and silver embroidered cushions, laid on the floor to serve as seats for the guests, who were served with the refreshments before them, by Lilla Halluma and her daughters, who were constantly moving round the tables attended by their slaves and confidential women. black slaves were almost covered with silver, and had nearly treble the quantity of ornaments they usually wear on the head, neck, arms, and feet. The "The account of the ceremonies observed at this feast by the ladies of Hadgi Abderrahman's family, will be sufficient to make you acquainted with those performed by other ladies of rank in this place, as all act uniformly at weddings as far as their fortunes will allow. "Lilla Amnani and Lilla Uducia, though they knew their visits at the cas tle would only take up a very few hours, took with them, notwithstanding, a considerable quantity of clothes to change, reserving the richest and most shewy dresses to put on last. Lilla Uducia's first dress was composed of a chemise made, according to the fashion of the country, of silk, gold, and gauze. She wore two jilecks, the under one of crimson velvet and gold lace, the upper one of green and silver brocade; and her baracan, which was as usual of several yards in length and width, was made entirely of violet embossed rib bons, nearly eight inches wide, with gold work between each, and a broad stripe of bright gold went through the middle of the baracan from one end to the other, having a singular and rich effect, when wrapped in folds round her body. Both ends of this baracan were embroidered in gold and silver, nearly half a yard in depth. She wore a pair of pale yellow silk trowsers, which had also a broad gold stripe up the front from the ancle to the waist, with a rich border of gold round the bottom: she wore all the jewels she could collect, with the addition of some valuable gold orders of her father's. "Lilla Amaani and herself soon after their appearance in the castle changed their dresses, before they threw, as they termed it, the first money,' to the amount of ten mahboobs, to a favourite attendant belonging to the ladies of the castle, who was dressed for the occasion. Soon after they changed their dress a second time, and presented between thirty and forty mahboobs to each of the brides: they then dressed a third time, previous to sitting down to dinner. "The feast for Sidi Hamet's bride was celebrated in the same manner as that of his sister: all the company retired from the castle before sunset. "It is during these large mixed companies, that the female intriguing messengers belonging to the castle find much employment, by delivering mesBages of gallantry, or introducing among the immense crowd of visitors, the princes in disguise, who by their assistance are not unfrequently in these meetings closely wrapped up in the baracan of a female, for the purpose of more easily beholding the select beauties of their country, whom they cannot possibly obtain a sight of in any other way." pp. 179–182. vernment common in Mohammedan countries, to the peculiar naBut without thus generalizing, we ture of their theological creed. may content ourselves with examining the evils separately, and aiming to become thankful for our exemption from such of them as may not belong to ourselves. • respon Our remarks on this subject will relate to those evils, exclusively, which result from bad government. We must begin with the sovereign himself, who, being without sible advisers, or any persons who with an interest in his safety have also a character with his people, he can never regard his life as safe when his measures are at all unpopular. Hence, the necessity of such precautions as those which follow. "A number of slaves were occupied grinding corn, kneading bread, making in preparing different dishes of meat, in fine pastes, and dressing fruits. Each of the princesses was followed by several of her attendants; but no one interfered who seemed to be very particular in in what was doing but Lilla Fatima, examining every thing. The Negroes attended Lilla Fatima with fans to prevent insects annoying her. The sight of royalty employed in this manner, called to our mind what has been said of the ancients. "The attentions paid here by the prinbashaw, though a duty that cannot be cesses to the food prepared for the dispensed with, is unattended at present with that great degree of dread and suspicion, that prevails where the iously looked for by his subjects and by soverein's death is every moment anxthose allied to him, which is too often the case in Moorish states. At Algiers and Constantinople, the sovereigns live in continual dread of poison' being mixed in their victuals. The Grand Signior is such dishes brought to his table as are said, in troublesome times, to eat only of put in a silk handkerchief and sealed with the seal of his chief cook." p. 206. Hence, they are glad to treat as their principal friends and supporters apostates from the Christian faith, who must depend entirely upon the power of the sovereign |