CHAP. IV. 
MORZOUK. 
175 
extended, foots it to and from the drummers, two or three times, 
until a change of tune, when she runs quickly backwards, and falls 
flat down. The women behind are ready to receive her, and by a 
jerk of their arms, throw her again upright ; on which she once 
more turns round, and resumes her place, leaving the one next in 
succession to her to go through the same movements, all of which 
are performed in the most just time ; the whole party occasionally 
enlivening the music, by their shrill and extraordinary cry of joy. 
The dancing in the houses is not quite so pleasing as that in public, 
and as for decency it is quite out of the question ; no man or 
woman standing up, unless to throw themselves into a variety of 
indelicate postures. The male slaves have many dances, in which 
great activity and exertion are requisite. One consists in dancing 
in a circle, each man armed with a stick ; they all move, first half 
and then quite round, striking, as they turn, the sticks of those on 
each side of them, and then jumping off the ground as high as they 
can. Another is performed by boys, and they have no drum, but 
keep chorus, by singing in a particular manner, La ilia il 'Alia 
m] m. " There is no God but God." 
The Sultan had frequently requested Mr. Ritchie to visit his 
children, and some of his negresses, when they were indisposed, 
and he had, in consequence, frequently attended them ; but now 
being himself confined by illness, I was allowed to prescribe for 
them, and had, therefore, frequent opportunities of observing the 
interior of his family, which would not otherwise have been afforded 
me. I was much struck with the appearance of his daughters, one 
of three, the other of one year and a half old, who were dressed in 
the highest style of barbarian magnificence, and were absolutely 
laden with gold. From their necks were suspended large orna- 
ments of the manufacture of Tembuctoo, and they had massive gold 
armlets and anklets of two inches in breadth, and half an inch in 
