50 
satisfied that I had preferred his country to Algier, Tu- 
nis, or Tripoli, he repeated me the assurance of his 
protection and friendship. He then asked me whether 
I had any instruments to make observations, and having 
answered him in the affirmative, he told me that he 
wished to see them, and that I might bring them to him. 
He had hardly uttered this word, when the kaid took 
me by the hand in order to conduct me home; but 
without stirring, I observed to the sultan that it would 
be necessary to wait until the next day, as it was too 
late to prepare them for any observations. The kaid 
looked at me with astonishment, as no one dares to con- 
tradict the sultan; but this sovereign only said, " Well, 
bring them to-morrow." At what o'clock? " At eight 
in the morning;" I shall not fail, said I, and taking leave 
of the sultan, 1 went away with the kaid. 
As soon as I got home, they came to make a collec- 
tion for the servants of the palace, who receive gratifi- 
cations upon these occasions; my servants satisfied them 
with less expense than I had expected. 
As the sultan was speaking to me of my astronomical 
instruments, he ordered a small metal astrolabe to be 
brought to him; it was about three inches in diameter, 
and was used to regulate the clocks and the hours for 
prayer. He asked me whether I had such an instru- 
ment; I answered in the negative, adding, that this in- 
strument was very inferior to those of modern inven- 
tion. 
The next day I went to the castle at the appointed 
hour. The sultan was waiting for me on the same place 
with his principal fakih or mufti, and another favourite. 
He was served with tea. 
When I came into Iits' -^sejace, he bid me ascend 
the small stairs and sit down at his side. He took the 
