8 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. I. 
mosques to visit us at stated periods to instruct us in reading. He 
also, at my particular request, gave me all the requisite information 
respecting the ceremonies used in prayer ; and when I became 
perfect in them, I taught them to Mr. Ritchie. 
Every thing now seemed to promise well, as far as our residence 
in Tripoli was concerned ; but Mr. Eitchie felt much anxiety 
respecting a further allowance from government, as we had scarcely 
more than money sufficient to pay the hire of our camels to Mour- 
zouk, and beyond that place we were uncertain how we could 
procure a fresh supply for the use of the mission. Mr. Eitchie had 
brought with him a good deal of merchandize ; but, from what he 
learnt at Tripoli, it was likely to be of little service to us, as it con- 
sisted of few or none of the articles of trade most commonly used 
in the interior. 
Sidi Mohammed d'Ghei's, formerly minister to the Bashaw, but 
who had retired some years since on account of total bhndness, 
showed us every attention, and by his kind assistance afforded us 
most useful information. He had travelled much in Europe, and 
was well acquainted with our customs, so that he was perfectly 
qualified to caution us on many points which, had we remained in 
ignorance of them, would inevitably have betrayed us to be Christians 
to the people in the interior. 
It would be useless to attempt giving any description of 
the city of Tripoli, as it has already been done by far more able 
pens than mine ; but of any particular occurrences which attracted 
my attention during my residence there, I conceive I may be 
allowed to make mention. The most extraordinary characters are 
the Maraboots, a set of people much spoken of in all Moslem 
countries ; but it strikes me that the requisites necessary to con- 
stitute one of these saints are not every where the same. In the 
interior they consist in keeping up the outward show of sanctity. 
