CHAP. III. 
NOTICES OF THE INTERIOR. 
139 
The people are excellent workers in wood and leather, which 
they prepare equally well as Europeans, dying it of very fine 
colours, and sometimes glazing it. Pillows, bags, sandals, jars, and 
even boxes of leather are brought by the Kaffles, and sold very 
cheap. Bowls composed of wood, or gourds, are finely carved, and 
much sought after by the Fezzan traders. 
The women make very fine cotton cloth of gay patterns (having 
generally a great proportion of blue), and of firm texture ; but it is 
remarkable that they never exceed in breadth three inches. Shirts 
made of these cloths are so very neatly sewed, that it is impossible 
at first sight to discover the seams. 
The natives of Soudan are very ignorant ; the few among them 
who can read find it their interest to make a great display of their 
knowledge. A man who reads is always respected, and becomes 
a person of great consideration ; his presence being frequently 
sought for at a high price at births or marriages, in order to pre- 
vent the attendance of the devil, who immediately flies from a man 
capable of reading from the Koran. The power of writing charms, 
or saffis, is a sure step to riches. 
About half the population on the banks of the ISTil are Moham- 
medans in outward forms, but are unacquainted with every part of 
their religion except the prayers ; some, indeed, are quite ignorant 
even of these, and only acknowledge the unity of God and the ex- 
cellence of the Prophet. The other half are Pagans. Some nations 
have no idea of worship, or of a Supreme Being ; others pray to 
the devil ; and many are idolaters, and pay homage to any striking 
object in nature. 
All the nations south of the Waters are said to be unbelievers, 
and to live in a state of nature, resembling in their aj^pearance, 
manners, and habitations, wild beasts rather than men. 
T 2 
