89 
avidity, drinking after it plenty of cold water: this cati- 
ses some disorders, but as the climate is very wholesome* 
the people in general enjoy good health. 
This country produces in abundance a kind of nar- 
cotic plant called kiff; as it only grows in spring, I 
have not seen it in blossom, but only dried, and al- 
most reduced to powder. In order to make use of 
it, they boil it with a good deal of butter in an ear- 
then pot for twelve hours together; they afterwards 
strain the butter, and it serves to season their victuals; 
or they mix it with sweetmeats* or swallow it in the 
form of pills. It is said* that in whatever form it be 
taken, its effect is very certain: others smoke the lea- 
ves of the plant instead of tobacco. I have been told 
that its merit is, that it does not intoxicate, but raises 
the spirits, and fills the imagination with agreeable fan- 
cies. I must own, that I never felt inclined to try it. 
As I remained at Fez during the winter, I saw no 
fruit except oranges; and some very good sweet lem- 
ons. Various kinds of dates came from all the south- 
ern parts of the country, or from Taffilet. The mut- 
ton was of a better quality than the beef. Poultry was 
in great abundance at the markets, and for four or five 
shillings one might buy a dozen fowls. About twenty 
pounds of meat may be had at the same price. The 
bread is pretty good at the bakers, but most people pre- 
pare their loaves themselves, and give them to young 
children, who go about in the streets with a board, to 
carry them to the baker, and to bring them back when 
done. It is the fashion to drink sour milk, but I could 
not accustom myself to it. 
During all my stay at Fez, I found the climate very 
mild; but they told me that in summer the heat is suf- 
focating. In winter I felt the cold as much as in En- 
voi., X. N 
