375 
their feasts, and live in as much luxury as they well dan 
afford, in entire freedom, without fear of being insultad. 
Europeans here, as well as in all the east, are known 
by the name of Franks. Their number, which does 
not exceed two hundred, includes some of all nations. 
In time of peace, being occupied in an active com- 
merce, they think of nothing but their affairs; satisfied 
with their gains, they live quietly and at their ease. When 
I was there, they were inactive and lazy, owing to the 
stagnation of trade; their dispositions were soured by 
the consideration of their annual losses, which exhaust- 
ed nearly the whole of their resources; and being oblig- 
ed to buy provisions at a high price, while they gain no- 
thing by their professions, the greater part of them 
were reduced to a state of distress impossible to de- 
scribe. The least trifle irritated them one against ano- 
ther; the least debt or commercial affair, produced long 
law suits; and on these accounts they were so unfriendly 
and quarrelsome among themselves, that it was rare to 
see fifteen or twenty persons assembled in company. 
They perfectly well treated by the natives, and in- 
habit^ particular quarter, which resembles an Euro- 
pean town. They and their wives dress in the Euro- 
pean style, with all the taste and extravagance of the 
times. Both sexes go abroad freely by night as well 
as by day, playirg upon their instruments of music, 
and singing in the streets, the mussulmen not permit- 
ting themselves to offer them the least offence or insult. 
This freedom extends even to the proteges of the con- 
suls, who, dressed as Europeans, enjoy the same pri- 
vilege, though they may be Jews. What a difference 
from Morocco! 
