CURRENT LITERATURE.
Moorish Lotos-leaves. By George D. Cowan and R. L. N. John- ston. (Tinsley Brothers.)—A residence of some standing at Mogador has given to the authors of this volume considerable advantages over the ordinary traveller. They know the ways of the country, have acquired a large circle of acquaintances, and can dispense, wherever Arabic will suffice, with the servbes of an interpreter. The longest of the six papers which the book contains is entitled, "A Ride to Maraksh by a Round-about Route." (Maraksh is the town which is commonly marked in the atlases as "Morocco.") It is as pleasant a narrative of travel as we have seen for some time. It is disfigured, here and there, as, indeed, all the papers are, with a jocosity which fails to be humorous, but it is lively and picturesque. The Berbers seem to have made the most favourable impression on the minds of the travellers; of the general condition of the country, their report agrees with the unanimous testimony borne by all who visit regions under Mahommedan Government. About slavery they are particularly emphatic. Where European influence reaches, the slaves are well treated ; beyond this, they may be said to have no human rights. The writers who sit comfortably at home, and evolve an ideal Islam out of their consciousness, might profitably spend an hour or two over Moorish Lotos-leaves. Here is a pleasing account of Moorish integrity :—" Every reference to future events is coupled with Inshallah, twice or thrice repeated. Let not the guileless Christian imagine that a verbal promise to pay in three months, Inshallah,' represents the debtor's intentions, for non-payment at the appointed time becomes Ma.shallah—what God has pleased—and the Moslim conscience is at rest. A story is told of a Moor visiting Gibraltar in quest of credit, who on being shown some Manchester goods, asked the price. 'Eight-and-six the price in sixty days,' was the reply. 'Ah!' murmured the true believer, 'eight-and-aix, sixty days, Inshallah.' Qaoth the merchant, who had acquired an expensive experience of the native commercial morality, 'No. Sixty days, eight-and-six ; but sixty days, Inshallah, ten shillings.'" "Canoe Rambles in Mogador Bay" is a tantalising description of climate and scenery, with hints of sport. Something of a corrective is supplied by the chapter on "Moorish Gastronomy." The other papers are "Boar-shooting in Siadma," "Notes on Agadir and Messah," and a "A March by Moonlight with the Army." This volume will furnish by the way no bad test of the comparative merits of recent atlases.
Previous page
