Lovely Women 



back to go home to Mogador, but had here set up as a 

 gunsmith — he had a gun which he could sell us ("not lowsy 

 gun") at a moderate price. 



The dark had crept upon us unperceived. A }pious faquir 

 came by, and stopping on the threshold, swang about a 

 censer scattering incense, and vociferating prayers. This 

 itinerant mass-performer was rewarded with a copper coin, 

 and departed. Then came a man with a young cock. The 

 barber jumped up and cut oflF its head with a razor in a 

 most expeditious manner, and the fowl-bearer departed. I 

 asked if people did not kill their own chickens in this 

 country, and was informed that many persons had an objec- 

 tion to shedding blood, and were in the habit of sending 

 to him. Doubtless he must have shed a considerable 

 amount of the blood of the faithful, if he shaves their heads 

 with the same razor which decapitates poultry. 



Mohammed now informed us that he had heard there was 

 a Jewish wedding to-night, whither he would conduct us if 

 we pleased. As the Hebrews hold open house on these 

 occasions to all creeds and nations, we followed him through 

 the dark winding streets, till we came to an open portal, 

 where flaring torches gleamed on a swarm of people going 

 in and out. 



The supper was just concluding ; the tables were removed, 

 and we were seated in the banqueting-room in the highest 

 place, that is to say, nearest the right-hand corner of the 

 nuptial bed, which filled the whole end of the room. What 

 do you think there was on the bed ? — why, about six-and- 

 thirty Jewesses, the loveliest collection of women huddled 

 in the smallest space I ever saw — positively all beautiful ; 

 and if my heart had not been otherwise engaged, I should 

 not have minded marrying the whole bevy at once — foolish, 

 indeed 1 — nevertheless, an idea worthy of Solomon. The 



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