46 
rUNISIIMEXTS OF ALGIERS. 
The Berebers are reckoned the richest of all the Algerines, go bet- 
ter clothed, and carry on a much larger traffic of cattle, hides, wax, 
honey, iron, and other commodities. They have also some artificers 
in iron, and some manufacturers in the weaving branch. — The name 
Bereber, is supposed to have been originally given them on account 
of their being first settled in some desart place. Upon their increas- 
ing in process of time, they divided themselves into five tribes, proba- 
bly on account of religious differences, called the ZinhagiunSy 3Ias- 
camedins, Zeneti, Hoares, and Gornere ; and these having produced 
600 families, subdivided themselves into a great number of petty tribes. 
To these we may add the Zwowahs, by European authors called 
Azuagues, or Assuagues, who are likewise dispersed over most parts of 
Barbary and Numidia. Great numbers of these inhabit the moun- 
tainous parts of Cuco, Labez, &c. leading a wandering pastoral life. 
But the most numerous inhabitants are the Moors and Arabians, The 
former are very stout and warlike, and skilful horsemen ; but so ad- 
dicted to robbing, that one cannot safely travel along the country at a 
distance from the towns without a guard, or at least a marabout, or 
saint, for a safeguard. For as they look upon themselves to be the 
original proprietors of the country, and not only as dispossessed by 
the rest of the inhabitants, but reduced by them to the lowest state 
of poverty, they make no scruple to plunder all they can meet with, by 
way of reprisal. 
The inhabitants in general have a pretty fair complexion, they are 
robust and well-proportioned. People of distinction wear their 
beards ; they have rich clothes made of silk, embroidered with flowers 
of gold, and turbans enriched with jewels. The Turks, who compose 
the military force, have great privileges, pay no taxes, are never pub- 
licly punished, and rarely in private. The lowest soldier domineers 
over the most distinguished Moors at pleasure. If he finds them 
better mounted than himself, he exchanges horses without ceremony. 
The Turks alone have the privilege of carrying fire-arms. Some good 
qualities, however, distinguish them, in spite of this excess of despotism. 
They never game for money, nor even for trifles ; and they never pro- 
fane the name of the Deity. They soon forget their private quarrels ; 
and after the first paroxysm of resentment is over, it is infamy for a 
Turk to keep in remembrance the injuries he has received. In this 
respect, certainly, they are less barbarous than other nations that boast 
of their civilization. 
Punishments in Algiers. 
In this country it is not to be expected that justice will be ad- 
ministered with any degree of impartiality. The Mahometan sol- 
diery, in particular, are so much favoured, that they are seldom put to 
death for any crime except rebellion ; in which cases they are either 
strangled with a bow-string, or hanged to an iron hook ; in lesser offences 
they are fined, their pay stopped, and if officers, they are reduced 
to the station of common soldiers, from whence they may gradually 
raise themselves to their former dignity. Women guilty of adultery 
have a halter tied about their necks, with the other end fastened to 
