129 
and the sultan were so much surprized* that they de- 
clared on the spot, that it would be the ruin of all those 
who passed for learned at Fez, but who in fact knew 
nothing. 
The days and circumstances of the eclipses once 
made public, the town soon became acquainted with 
them generally, and as every one added something of 
his own to the news, in a short time a thousand follies 
were circulated «, The astrologers thought proper to pre- 
sage some misfortunes, which should begin by three 
days of thick darkness, and it is impossible to conceive 
the pains I took to destroy all these idle fancies. 
The Ramadan over, Easter was celebrated in the cus- 
tomary way, and soon after the sultan departed for Mo- 
rocco, inviting me to follow him, which I promised. 
The eclipse of the moon was little seen by the people, 
as the sky was covered with clouds; but what a fright- 
ful clamour was caused by the eclipse of the sun! The 
sky was perfectly clear, and the sun became dark in the 
middle of the day, and to such a degree, that hardly 
half an inch of the disc remained uncovered. The people 
ran through the streets, stunning the air with cries like 
madmen. The roofs and terraces of the houses were 
covered with people; and finally my house was so crowd- 
ed, that from the door to the top of the house not a sin- 
gle spot was free. 
The eclipse disappeared a little after noon. When I 
was at dinner the son of the kadi came to speak to me, 
and with tears in his eyes, and a most piteous voice, 
told me that he had been sent by his father, who having 
lost the use of his limbs, could not come himself, in 
order to inquire whether any thing else was to be feared^ 
vol. i* s 
