TH E AUTHOR.
(In Moorish Guise).
Photograph by Elliot N" Fry, Baker St., W.
CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND
IN MOORISH GUISE
''"P 'O those who have not themselves experienced what
i . the attempt to see an eastern country m native
guise entails, a few stray notes of what it has been my
lot to encounter in seeking for knowledge in this style,
will no doubt be of interest. Such an under- Advantages.
taking, like every other style of adventure, .
has both its advantages and disadvantages. To the
student of the people the former are immense, and if
he can put up with whatever comes, he will be well
repaid for all the trials by the way. In no other manner
can a European mix with any freedom with the natives
of this country. When once he has discarded the outward
distinguishing features of what they consider a
hostile infidelity, and has as far as possible adopted their
dress and their mode of life, he has spanned one of the
great gulfs which have hitherto yawned between them.
Squatted on the floor, one of a circle round a low
table on which is a steaming dish into which each
plunges his fist in search of dainty morsels, • ^
the once distant Moor thaws to an astonishing Instance.
extent, becoming really friendly and communicative,
in a manner totally impossible towards the starchy
European who sits uneasily on a chair, conversing with
his host at ease on the floor. And when the third cup
of tea syrup comes, and each lolls contentedly on the
cushions, there is manifested a brotherly feeling not unnoted
in western circles under analagous circumstances,