breeders of cattle, depending on agricultural pursuits alone
for subsistence. To use a common proverb of their own,
“ the earthis the Arab’s portion.” They are divided into
small tribes or families, as I have already stated with
respect to the Berrebbers;—each seperate tribe having a
particular Patriarch or Head by whose name they distinguish
themselvs, and each occupying its own separate
portion of territory. They are scarcely ever engaged in
external commerce; dislike the restraints and despise the
security of residence in towns; and dwell invariably in
tents made of a stuff woven from goats’ hair and the
fibrous root of the palmeta. In some of the provinces
their residences form large circular encampments, consisting
of from twenty to a hundred tents, where they are
governed by a shieck or magistrate of their own body.
This officer is again subordinate to a bashaw or governor
appointed by the Emperor, who resides in some neighbouring
town. In these encampments there is always a tent
set apart for religious worship,, and appropriated to the use
of the weary or benighted traveller, who is supplied with
food and refreshment at the expense of the community.
Something has already been said in the preceding Notes
of the character of the Arab. In a general view, it is decidedly
more noble and magnanimous than that of the
Berrebber. His vices are of a more daring, and (if I may.
use the expression) of a more generous cast. He accomplishes
his designs rather by open violence than by
treachery; he has less duplicity and concealment than the
Berrebber; and to the people of his own nation or religion
he is much more hospitable and benevolent. Beyond this,
I fear it is impossible to say anything in his favour. But
it is in those periods of civil discord which have been so
frequent in Barbary, that the Arab character completely
developes itself. On these occasions they will be seen
linked together in small tribes, the firm' friends of each other
but the sworn enemies of all the world besides. Their
ravages are not confined merely to the Berrebber and
Bukharie tribes to whom they are at all times hostile, and
whom they take all opportunities of attacking, but every
individual is their enemy who is richer than themselves.
Whilst these dreadful tempests last, the Arabs carry devastation
and destruction wherever they go, sparing neither
age nor sex, and even ripping open the dead bodies of their
victims, to discover whether they have not swallowed their
riches for the purposes of concealment.
Their barbarity towards Christians ought not to be tried
by the same rules as the rest of their conduct; for although
it has no bounds but those which self-interest may prescribe,
it must almost be considered as a part of their religion; so
deep is the detestation which they are taught to feel for the
“ unclean and idolatrous infidel.” A Christian, therefore,
who falls into the hands of the Arabs, has no reason to
expect any mercy. If it is his lot to be possessed by the
Arabs of the Desert, his value as a slave will probably save
his life; but if he happens to be wrecked on the coast of
the Emperor’s dominions, where Europeans are not allowed
to be retained in slavery, his fate would in most cases be
immediate death, before the Government could have time
to interfere for his protection.