ANECDOTE OF A MARABOUT. 
63 
Negroes never write in their mother tongue, has a right to wear 
a scarlet cap. They then give him the title of Tomsire or Alplia, 
which signifies Doctor, in the Poula language. But notwith- 
standing, the cap which some Marabouts wear cannot pre- 
vent the tips of the ears from being perceived.^* . . . 
Boukari told me, that having one day called at the house 
of a Marabout, he at first conceived a great veneration for 
him, on account of the sign of wisdom which adorned his 
head, and he accosted him with the usual Arabic salutation : 
" Eich halkoum maoulana!' The pretended doctor, supposing 
that he was speaking Joloif, replied : " I do not understand 
you." All present laughed at his mistake and ignorance, and 
he was prevailed upon to relinquish a distinction to which he 
had no claim. 
* This alludes to the French fable of the ass, who covered himself with a 
doctor's cap. — T. 
