of the Arabs."

[Footnote 118: Elder Brother of the present Emperor of Marocco,
Muley Soliman.]

[Footnote 119: A pace similar to that which European cavalry go
when charging.]

These eulogiums were not lost on the ladies, who increased the
spirit of the dance. When this amusement had continued about three
hours, the cuscasoe, meat, and vegetables were brought in, as a
supper. The Moors ate plentifully; but the abstemious Arabs ate
very little; the ladies partook of sweet cakes and dates; they very
142 seldom chew meat, but when they do, they think it gross to swallow
it, they only press the juices from the meat, and throw away the
substance. The manners of these damsels were elegant, accompanied
with much suavity and affability, but very modest and unassuming
withal: indeed, they were all individuals, as I afterwards learned,
belonging to respectable and ancient Arab families, who could not
resist the exhortations of their sheik to amuse and entertain his
guests. The manners of these Arabs, their elegant forms, sparkling
black eyes, long black eye-lashes, which increased the beauty of
the eye, adding character to the countenance, seemed to make an
indelible impression on the whole party. The ladies wore robes of
Indian muslin, girdles of gold thread, interwoven with silk of the
Fas manufacture; and their shawls of silk and gold were displayed
in various elegant devices. We were given to understand by Delemy's
captains, on our return to the sheik's castle, that we had been
entertained with extraordinary honours: we certainly were highly
gratified, and my friend Signor Andrea declared he had never seen
better dancing at Venice, his native place. Among the Arabs was an
old man of ninety, who appeared very desirous of an European
establishment at Tomie. He related several anecdotes of his life;
and, among others, the money he had gained, by purchasing goods of
vessels which came forty or fifty years before to Tomie for water,
with which he said he used to exchange gums and almonds, feathers
143 and ivory, for linens, cloths, and spices. I am disposed to think
these vessels were Portuguese; for this coast is but little known
to the English. The ladies having returned home, we prepared to
leave this douar early in the morning; and with n