TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
S67 
miinity. There is a mosque in every town, 
and the times of worship are strictly attended 
to by the priests and their converts. 
From the long existence of a state of commer- 
cial intercourse (which has been but partially in- 
terrupted by Foota) between these people and 
the inhabitants of Senegal, arises a degree of 
respect which is invariably paid by them to all 
Europeans who visit their country ; and although 
the exorbitant demands of the chiefs for presents 
(now called customs) sometimes cause alterca- 
tions and temporary quarrels between them, they 
must nevertheless be considered as more friendly 
to Europeans than any other of the surrounding 
tribes. Whether this proceeds (as some pretend 
to think) from their being more in the power of 
the vessels which come up to trade at their 
towns (all which are situate on the river side, 
and exposed to much damage from the smallest 
piece of cannon, in case of misconduct), or 
from a mild and peaceable disposition, I will 
not venture to decide positively ; but I think I 
should not labour under a very great error, in 
saying that the many advantages they derive 
yearly from such an intercourse (and of which 
they acknowledge themselves sensible), leads 
them, like the mass of mankind, to consult their 
own interest j and to forward which they must 
in some cases submit to the desires (at all times 
