110 
THE MOORS. 
their festivals, the discharge of musketry, indeed, forms a principal 
part of the entertainment. Contrary to the European mode, which 
aims at firing with exactness, the Moors discharge their pieces as irre- 
gularly as possible, so as to have a continual succession of reports for 
a few minutes. 
On the marriage-day, the bride in the evening is put into a square 
or octagonal cage, about twelve feet in circumference, which is 
^ covered with fine white linen, and sometimes with gauzes and silks 
of different colours. In this vehicle, which is placed on a mule, she 
is paraded round the streets, accompanied by her relations and 
friends, some carrying lighted torches, others playing on hautboys, 
and others firing volleys. In this manner she is carried to the house 
of the bridegroom, who returns about the same time from performing 
similar ceremonies. On her arrival, she is placed in an apartment 
by herself, and her husband is introduced to her alone for the first time, 
w ho finds her sitting upon a silk or velvet cushion, with a small table be- 
fore her, upon which are placed two wax caridles lighted. Her shift or 
shirt hangs down like a train behind her, and over it is a silk or vel- 
vet robe with close sleeves, which at the breast and sleeves is em- 
broidered with gold ; this dress reaches somewhat lower than the 
calf of the leg. Round her head is tied a black silk scarf, which 
hangs behind as low as the ground. Thus attired, she sits with 
her hands over her eyes, when her husband appears, and receives her 
as his wife without any further ceremony ; for the agreement made 
before the cadi is the only specific contract thought necessary. If 
the husband has any reason to suspect that his wife has not been 
strictly virtuous, he may divorce her, and take another ; and the w ife 
may divorce her husband, if he does not provide her proper subsist- 
ence. 
For some time after marriage, the family and the friends are en- 
gaged in much feasting, and a variety of amusements. It is very cus- 
tomary for the man to remain at home eight days, and the woman 
eight months, after they are first married. If he curses her, he must 
pay her for the first oft'ence eight ducats, for the second a rich dress 
of still greater value, and the third time she may leave him entirely. 
He is then at liberty to marry again in tw'o months. Women suffer 
little inconvenience in their country from child-bearing ; they are 
frequently up the next day, and go through all the business of the 
house with the infant upon their back. 
Funeral Rites. 
When any person dies, a certain number of women are hired for 
the purpose of lamentation ; in the performance of w hich, nothing can 
be more grating to the ear, or more unpleasant, than their frightful 
moans, or rather bowlings ; at the same time these mercenary mourn- 
ers beat their heads and breasts, and tear their cheeks with their 
nails. The bodies are usually buried a few hours after death. 
Previous to interment, the corpse is washed very clean, and sewed 
up in a shroud with the right hand under the head, which is pointed 
towards Mecca ; it is carried on a bier supported on men’s shoulders 
to the burying place, which is always with great propriety on the 
