518 Present Policy of Europe towards the Barbary States. [MAY, 



eastward of Tangiers. In the midst of this camp was guarded, in large 

 and handsome tents, his majesty's harem, said to consist of ten white 

 wives, and ten black concubines. Another handsome tent was set 

 apart for a marabout or saint, who always attends royalty, and who 

 is consulted as to the auspicious days for transacting business, tra- 

 velling, &c. 



The third day after the sultan's arrival was fixed on for the reception 

 of the foreign consuls, who were summoned to the court-yard of the 

 Alcassaba ; the troops, a great number of whom were blacks, lined all 

 the avenues and approaches thereto, as well as the court-yard itself, in 

 the area of which the turbaned chiefs and scribes of the household 

 were assembled. Not a single musical instrument added to the effect of 

 this scene (a judicious idea in presence of Europeans, to whose ears the 

 Moors were conscious their music was most inharmonious). The troops 

 previous to the entrance of his majesty were seated cross-legged on the 

 ground, with their long guns held between their knees. At his approach, 

 which was preceded by the bashaw of Tangiers, they rose up and stood 

 to their arms. The sultan entered the court-yard on horseback, the 

 manner in which he invariably gives public audiences. Over his head 

 was borne a large splendid silk parasol of Italian manufacture. The 

 bay barb on which he was mounted was fanned by slaves, with white 

 muslin handkerchiefs, and in his train were several parade horses beau- 

 tifully caparisoned. 



The person of Muley Abderachman is both dignified and majestic; on 

 his brow is deeply marked the consciousness of his superior station and au- 

 thority, and that gravity for which the Moors are so distinguished ; but in 

 him it seemed to dwell with more ease and affability than in those who 

 surrounded him the result of his more polished manner and education. 

 The sultan has a fine intonation of voice, and his whole deportment 

 rather bespeaks that of a man accustomed to associate with the great 

 world, than of a monarch residing at such a distance from polite life : 

 he is of robust stature, about five feet nine inches in height, and is ap- 

 parently about forty-two or forty-three years of age, of very dark com- 

 plexion, nearly approaching black ; but his fine features, glossy black 

 beard and moustaches, at once show that he is not of negro blood. He 

 bore no distinctive mark of sovereignty in his dress, except the beautiful 

 texture of the el-haicke, or long scarf, which nearly enveloped him, dis- 

 covering only a small part of the green tunic and gold scabbard of the 

 yatagan worn beneath. His turban was of plain white muslin, denoting 

 an elegant and unostentatious simplicity. 



The principal officers of the sultan being stationed around him, the 

 bashaw of Tangiers, on whom it seems the order of the ceremonies had 

 devolved, introduced the French consul and vice-consul to his majesty, 

 who approached, and through their interpreter begged the emperor's 

 acceptance of the annual tribute money, and presents of their nation : 

 a list of the presents was handed to his majesty who passed it to one of 

 his ministers; these consisted of articles of the most valuable and elabo- 

 rate workmanship of France, as well as large quantities of cloth, sugar, 

 coffee, &c. valued at 30UO sterling, which were borne up the steep 

 ascent of the Alcassaba by Jew porters, who, barefooted, stood trembling 

 with their burdens in the royal presence. The consul received a 

 gracious reply ; and next in succession was presented the Danish consul, 

 whose gifts were of proportionate value to the rank of his nation : he 



