European bells. The largest is about four feet in height,
and twelve feet in circumference at the rim. In bas-relief,
about 3 in. deep, forming a sort of band about 15 in.
from the rim of this bell, is an inscription in Roman
letters, the best available transcription of which is as
follows:—
“ MEHTSEMSANTA SPONTANAN.E VOROE. MOECET. PATRE
.LIBERACIONEMENT 1219.”
Between the final T and the initial M there is an
ornament resembling a star, knot, or garter. Between
the inscription and the rim there are, in bas-relief and
at equal distances, four devices, namely an eagle, a
lion, a bull, and another which could not be identified. *
This bell has lamps fixed to the rim only, so that the
inscription and devices are easily seen, but so many
lamps have been attached to the outsides of the other
bells, that any inscriptions there may have been on them
are hidden, f
The Karueei'n is celebrated as the largest mosque in
Africa, but it is by no means the most magnificent. Its
merits have been greatly over-rated by many
writers, whose descriptions have been compiled
from hearsay, and not from a personal inspection,
as has been my privilege. It bears no small resemblance
to a vast store, with a roof which, on account of
the area covered, appears very low, and is supported by
three hundred and sixty-six square pillars of stone, not
marble, as is frequently asserted. The side chapel for
* These would be the emblems of the four evangelists, so the last would
be a man, and may have been purposely obliterated.
-f For this most interesting piece of information the public is indebted
to Mr. Maclver MacLeod, British Vice-Consul in Fez, who obtained.it by
sending in a Moor able to read European characters to report, and who
has also very kindly revised this and other chapters both in Mss. and
proof.