after conducts the required offering with all due solemnity before the tent of his future father-in-law; who then communicates the proposal to his daughter, upon which she graciously prepares to receive her lover. The relatives and friends of the bride are then invited, and the young man being introduced, is asked how much he has given for his wife? He replies, that a wise and industrious woman costs nothing. After this, all the young virgins of the neighbourhood place the bride on horseback, and conduct her to the tent of the bridegroom, where she is immediately presented by the husband's friends with a beverage composed of milk and honey, as a symbol of the future harmony and sweetness of their union; while she drinks, the attendant maidens sing an epithalamium. The bride then alights, and taking a stake which is presented to her, she drives it into the earth as far as her strength will allow; repeating, "like this stake, which will never change its position, without force is employed to draw it up, so will I never abandon my husband, unless it should please him to discard

This ceremony concluded, she is next shewn the flocks which are destined to be under her future care these she takes to the adjoining meadows for some time; and on her return, another bowl of milk is presented, in which is put a small bit of the husband's tent: while she drinks, the company sing verses in praise of the parties, and finish by imploring the blessing of Heaven on their heads, together with the possession of large flocks and many children. The day being past in festivity, the friends retire; leaving the bride in the arms of her husband.

Contrary to the austere custom of the Moors, the Arab shepherd is allowed to see the object of his affections some time before marriage ; and this interval he frequently employs in proving, by various delicate attentions, the force of his passion. Besides his nightly visit to the vicinity of her tent, he occasionally salutes her ear with a serenade; while in the day-time, the language of the eye only serves to fan the flame created by his nocturnal assiduities. It is thus that the young

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and ardent Bedouin is enabled to enjoy the first of human gratifications, that of selecting a woman of his own choice. Inestimable blessing! rarely met with in more civilized society. A female of great feeling and animation, used to say: my father wishes to marry me to a man of talent; my mother, to one who cuts a great figure in the world; and my uncle to one who is very rich; but give me the man whom I can love !”"

With all this happy freedom of choosing a partner, the young, Bedouins never marry without their parents' entire approbation : besides, they are more intent on seeking a wife, than on adding to the number of useless admirers. " Why," asks an English writer," are so few girls married now-a-days?" Because there are more who think of making nets than cages!

The Arab is modest, serious, and scarcely ever laughs; he tells ` you that smiles are only intended by nature to ornament the countenance of women: he speaks with gravity, and not until some moments after the person he may be conversing with, has ceased. He is neither fond of jokes nor scandal: thinking the one proceeds from littleness of mind, and the other a wicked disposition. The joy of the sage is seen and not heard. With all the Arab is neither melancholy, silent, nor sedentary. He is fond of roving, seeing, and conversing. The crowds and activity observable amongst the tribes is almost incredible: you meet people constantly coming and going, where any tribe is established. There are fairs and markets held throughout the week except on Friday; and numberless bands of dancers, conjurors, and mountebanks are always in attendance, serving either to amuse the people or impose their medicinal quackeries on the credulity of the multitude.* If an European visits them, it follows of course that he is a doctor, and possesses saphies for the cure of every disease: these he must immediately set about writing, and when dis

* As the more decorous mode of passing the Sabbath in this country has not produced any sensible effect on our Gallic neighbours, perhaps they may be induced to take a leaf out of the Arab's book of morality?-Ed.

tributed to the wondering Arabs, they are instantly suspended round the neck, and must shortly perform miracles on the credulous patient.

In the gentle uniformity of the pastoral life, with their serene nights, and tranquil atmosphere, those of a more refined understanding amongst the Arabs, study the arts and sciences; and poetry is not forgotten. A good poet is sure of obtaining every distinction: they sing the battles and tales of love, in heroic and tender strains. The sheiks and even princes do not think themselves degraded by attending their flocks and while the latter feed, they are employed in composing verses in praise of a country life; the tranquillity of pastoral pursuits, and serene days experienced by the patriarchs of old, who were blessed with the approbation and support of Heaven. I heard the lines of a young bard, which seemed to breathe a considerable degree of spirit and expression: they related the prowess of an Arab prince, who had destroyed a fierce giant that had been the terror of his tribe; he then described the courage and valour of a Bedouin, who struck down a furious lion one night, while going to visit a young female, whose gait was majestic, and eyes more beautiful than those of the gazelle !

A collection of the finest maxims, and choicest compositions, are generally learned by heart, and forms a material part in the education of an Arab: by which poetry is restored to its natural intention and original purpose; that of transmitting historical events, celebrating the actions of the brave, instructing young societies, or those who have retained their primitive simplicity.

Account of the Kabiles and Arab Tribes.-The Himas.-Tents.-Dowers.--Encampments. -Dascars, or Arab Villages.-The Sheiks.-The Plundering Arabs.-Anecdotes respecting them.

THE Bedouins are divided into many scattered tribes, called Kabiles, and vulgarly Nege; but it is necessary to distinguish the wandering Arabs, from those who have a fixed residence. In the deserts of Persia and Syria, most of the land is susceptible of cultivation, and is besides generally well watered; but neither of these cases can apply to the arid sands of Africa, where verdure is so scarce, that their inhabitants are obliged to go in search of it, like the Calmucks and Tartars. Some tribes, however, remain stationary for several years: while others, frequently change their position, paying a small quit rent for the lands they cultivate, or upon which their flocks are permitted to range. When the families become too numerous, they separate: one party going to the right, and the other to the left, like the progeny of Abraham and Lot.* In journeying from one station to another, three women are carried by each camel, while the children and young lambs are contained in panniers suspended on each side, and the fowls roost on the neck and bunch. On these occasions the males go on foot, for the purpose of keeping together and directing the flocks, their muskets being hung up to the pummel

* This is another very striking coincidence, between the customs of the Arabs, and their remote ancestors of the East. "Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." Genesis, Chap. XIII.-Ed.

182

ATTEMPT TO UNITE THE TRIBES.

of the camel's saddle. It is thus, that an Arab family travels when in search of a new establishment.

Some of the tribes are both numerous and powerful, such as the Beni Mezzaab, near the Desert of Angad; the Psummata, a warlike tribe towards Mount Atlas; the Gamma, inhabiting the mountains of Couco; Beni Abbas, on the great road to Constantina; and the Bedouins of the Zaab, who are descended from the ancient Melanogetuli. These tribes generally take the names of their original chiefs or founders, merely adding the word Beni. They frequently form different camps, all of which place themselves under the direction of a single emir of their own election: this chief has sometimes as many as three hundred under his orders. Such associations are rendered necessary to defend them from the oppression of the Turks: as, to avoid insult, they must possess force, which can alone ensure protection he who knows how to make himself feared, is generally respected.

:

There was some years ago, an Arab named Abuferez, of great courage and intelligence, who attempted to unite all the Kabiles in the vicinity of Mount Atlas. But, instead of forming a powerful league, like the Iriquois of America, the Persian Afghans, or Rohillas of Hindostan, the African Arabs are only intent on making war upon each other; and the Turks, who are actively employed in fomenting their quarrels, do not fail to profit by them. When I asked why they did not form one general alliance under a single powerful chief, they informed me, it arose from the apprehension of their making a tyrant for themselves; and that it was infinitely better to suffer temporary vexations, than a state of constant oppression. I am, however, fully of opinion, that the Bedouins under an intrepid and fortunate chief, would become an independent, powerful, and happy people; as the Drusi and Birmans of the East did, when led on by

*"Each camp has its respective sheik, but thechi ef of the tribe is entitled El Kiber, the great sheik." Keatinge, Vol. I. p. 327, where the manners and customs of the Arab tribes are very ably illustrated.-Ed.