TRAVELS IN BARBARY. 247 
there is no other place which can be called a town 
in this part of the kingdom ; and the wandering 
inhabitants of the surrounding districts resort thither 
to purchase every article of which they stand in 
need. Fez retains also some shadow of that fame 
for learning, which was once so eminent. The 
studies are confined to the Koran, and its com- 
mentators, to a slight tincture of grammar and lo- 
gic, and to some clumsy astronomical observations, 
for computing the time of their religious exercises. 
They have Euclid in great folio volumes, neither 
copied nor read. The teacher sits cross-legged on 
the ground, and sings or cries, in a lamentable 
tone, words which the scholars, sitting round him, re- 
peat. Anatomy is prohibited by their religious pre- 
judices, and medicine, as a science, is totally unknown. 
The two most eminent saints at present in 
Morocco are Sidi Hamet and Sidi Alarbi ; and 
scarcely any thing is done throughout the empire 
without their being consulted. The character of 
saint is not understood to imply any measure of 
austerity or self-denial. It is solely supported by 
the power of foretelling the future, and of work- 
ing miracles. The districts which these saints 
inhabit pay no tribute unless to them ; and 
the revenues, as well as the ample offerings pour- 
ed in from all quarters, are employed in sup- 
porting an armed force, by whom they are con- 
stantly surrounded. They keep wives and con* 
