[50]When Commodore Crosby, in his Majesty’s ship Trusty, accompanied by three small frigates, came down to Mogodor, he anchored off the Long Battery, at about a mile and a half distant; at this time the town was so little prepared for defence, that the guns were not mounted, and when they began to do this, they were half an hour in mounting one! It was understood that the Commodore’s orders were indefinite; he was to act according to circumstances; but the Governor was apprised by the Emperor of the probability of a visit from the English, and had received orders at the same time to treat them in a friendly manner; cattle and other provisions were accordingly sent off to the ships, and all hostile operations were thus prevented; the Commodore departed on the third day after his arrival; and the two nations continued on friendly terms with each other.
[51]In all Mohammedan countries in Africa, the gates of the town are shut on the Friday during prayers, on account of an ancient superstitious tradition among the people, that their country will be attacked by the Christians, and taken from them by surprise, at that time.
[52]The Bashaw Billa.
[53]I have seen the fishermen draw more fish at one haul of the net, than a boat could carry. After depositing the first boat-load, they have gone back to load the remainder left on the beach.
[54]See the [Map of West Barbary.]
[56]It appears from the testimony of the Moors as well as the Berebbers, that Marocco is a more ancient town than Fas: we have not, however, any written account of it previous to the 424th year of the Hejira.
[57]This cement is called Tabia by the Moors. Livy tell us that the walls of Saguntum were built with mortar made of earth.
[58]The Emperor, Seedy Mohammed, who died in 1790, after reigning thirty-three years, shewed a great predilection for the city of Marocco, and caused several regular pavilions to be built by Europeans in the midst of the palace gardens; these are of hewn stone, and finished in a plain substantial style. There are many private gardens in the city, containing the most delicious fruits, and having pavilions decorated much in the style of those above described, which form a curious contrast with the real, or apparent wretchedness of the surrounding buildings.
[59]This is the man to whom Rhazes, the Arabian physician, dedicated his book de Variolis et Morbillis.