178 
r 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. chap. iv. 
able friction of the stones causes much grit to mingle with it. In 
all their food, those who can afford it mix as much grease and red 
pepper as possible. A quart of butter is sometimes poured over 
the doughy mess for one man, who generally manages to finish it. 
This butter is brought in goats' skins from the Syrtis, and other 
parts of the sea-coast ; is very rancid, and from having been boiled 
previous!} to putting it in skins, is as liquid as oil : it is considered 
a great dainty, and is very dear. Shahm, or salt boiled suet, is 
brought by the same people who trade in butter. Oil is the 
produce of Benioleed, IMesurata, and the Gharian Mountains. All 
the animals live on dates. Horses and asses are fed on the 
fruit ; camels, sheep, and goats, on the stones, which the women 
break up by hammering them on some hard substance. This is 
the general occupation of females, who are not employed to work in 
the gardens. 
October 1st. — This was the great feast called Aid el Kebire, 
which is to commemorate the meeting of the pilgrims at Mecca, 
and their offering sacrifices on holy ground. On this occasion each 
master of a family feeds his wives, children, and slaves on meat, and 
it is considered meritorious in him to kill, with his own hands, any 
animals he may purchase. By chance the Sultan recollected us at 
this festival, and sent us a lamb, which was a treat we little ex- 
pected. Mr. Eitcliie being weak and nervous, I, as in duty bound, 
became the butcher, and performed my task with great alacrity. 
Animal food was such a novelty to us, that we actually were 
tempted to eat too much, and in consequence the next day we 
all fell ill. 
i^o good Moslem will eat of an animal which has not had its 
throat cut in a particular way, and " In the name of God." We 
had never offered meat, having, indeed, none to offer but such as 
was kiUed in the markets ; but on this occasion we found the most 
