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their children; but they practise this custom at all ages, 
under twelve years; although it is more common at a 
tender period of childhood. 
The Neophites ride solemnly on horseback in the 
streets very well dressed. Their steeds are much or- 
namented, and are preceded by hautboys and drums. 
The music is of the same kind as at Morocco. No 
harmony, and loud cries instead of singing; it however 
moves the inhabitants even to tears. 
The Turkish music, though similar to that of the 
Arabs, is a little better composed, for there are some 
few well finished cadences in it. The captain pacha of 
the Ottoman porte, who was here, had the goodness 
to send me his band every six or eight days to play 
during the evening, which made me able to appreciate 
it. 
This band belonging to the apartments of his high- 
ness, was composed of five musicians, and a schaoux, 
or commandant, who accompanies them always. They 
play upon four instruments, which are, a psaltery, struck 
with little sticks, the middle bridge of which is placed 
in such a manner, that the strings sound upon the left 
the octave of the note they give upon the right; a viol, 
which has six strings, that are tuned in the progression 
following, ut, mi, sol, ut; a species of hautboy of a 
very sweet tone, and analogous to the bassoon, or rather 
the English horn; and two small kettle drums, tuned 
in the fifth instead of the fourth, as in Europe, and 
struck very softly with the end of the fingers. The 
fifth musician only sings, he does not play any instru- 
ment. 
