284 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. vir. 
about slaves, dates, &c. ; or boast of some cunning cheat which they 
have practised on a Tibboo, or Tuarick, who, though very knowing 
fellows, are, comparatively with the Fezzanners, fair in their deal- 
ings. Their moral character is on a par with that of the Tripolines, 
though, if any thing, they are rather less insincere. Falsehood is 
not considered as odious, unless detected ; and when employed in 
trading, they affirm that it is allowed by the Koran for the good of 
merchants. However this may be amongst themselves, I must say 
that I never could find any one able to point out the passage, 
authorising these commercial falsehoods. 
The IMaraboots are greater liars and rogues than other people, 
their reputation shielding them from suspicion. 1 have, indeed, 
seen amongst these saints some reaUy good and honest men ; but 
these are lost in the general wickedness of the community. 
Generosity is a virtue so completely unknown here, that it may be 
said scarcely to exist. Contempt of rehgion, of holy men and books, 
are crimes equally heinous with theft. They are rigid and bigoted 
Mohammedans, of the sect of the learned Malek, one of the four 
expounders of the Koran, and they worship with all the prostra- 
tions and rites peculiar to that sect. The Mamlukes, and ourselves, 
who were considered as such, are authorised to worship as Hanefis, 
which is the superior of the four sects; but the Maleki being the 
form here used, every one complies with it. A belief of the evil 
eye, devils, gholes, genii, and spirits, is universal ; charms and fasting 
till sunset, are a sure preventive of mischief. 
The people attached to the Mosques are the Kadi, who is the 
head ; the Imaura or priest, who, in the absence of the Kadi, prays 
and preaches ; and the Mouadden or crier, who calls the people to 
prayers, and repeats the responses. None of these men, except 
the Kadi, have any privileges, but are, in every respect, like the 
