The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-21

Muiey Hassan and His Land and Poop
His Way Of Living at Home.

His Way Of Living at Home.
London Letter in New York Sun.
When a diplomatic leaves Spain by the Gibral-
tar steamer to assume his functions OF minister
to the empire of Morocco it takes him but a very
few hours to leave behind ali that he has been
used to call civilization. and to find him
self trausplauted to surroundings Of
which only the Arabian Nights" could
have given him the f~aintest conception.
However great his surprise when he
reaches the city Of Tangier, which Is onl1 half
barbaric: whatever may be his natural regrets
at the expstriation which necessarily appears
more complete from the severance of the hun.
dred small links that make European nations
kin, and in spite Of the forebodings Of dizziness
and ennui which assail him on landing, the
foreign envoy cannot fail TO be interested. and
TO store MP memories over which. fos their
very strangeuess. he will probably lioger fondly
when he has returned to enc conventional life OF
other parts.
They will derive additional charm II. during
his tenure OF Office. be has-ss was lately the
ease with the Belgian m~ioister, Baron Whett-
nsll-been called npon to leave Taneier. where
the foreigoers reside, and to undertake. the
long inland journey, st the end OK which he 10
admitted to pay his respects to the Sultan and
TO assure him personally of the good will OF
his government toward the ruler Of Morocco.
The protracted travelling through half savage
provinces. the crossing OF deserts and barren
plains. is not begun without important prspa
tttaoho - W "a ~ ott6k Sa0
like q prince. and holds undisputed sway over
the numerous members Of his caravan. He is
accompanied by a suite of high officials, ennis
saries OF the Sultan. who receive aud transmit
his orders. He may choose either to ride, when
splendid horses are provided for him, or to be
carried IN q palanquin. when relays OF stalwart
blacks are in attendance. The considerable
expenses incurred are not betrayed by him,
of FIVE hundred people. including a military
escort. scouts, doctors, dragomans,
servants, cooks, drivers for the baggage mules
and horses, and all the paraphernslia OF tents.
cooking utensils. beds, weapons, rugs, etc.. re-
quired by so large a party during several weeks.
Wherever a halt takes place the camp is pre-
pared for the night The chiefs Of the terri
tories over which the caravan passes send pro-
visions on q scale Of such magnitude That it
would appear impossible to consume them; half
q dozen oxen, a hundred sheen. four hundred
chickens, one thousand eggs, besides casks of
-four. butter. and abundance Of milk,
are the staple commodities for twenty-four
hours. Yet when the camp 10 struck IN tho
morning not Q vestige Of these offerings re-
mains. Larceny and unblushing corruption are
the order Of the night. the Grand Vizier himself
being the chief offender. He cells back to the
tribes what is not disposed Of, and 10 in turn
robbed by those beneath him.
Sultan Muley Haesan has four residences ia
the interior where he dwells in turn. hardly
ever coming to Taugier. His favorite homes are
at Fec and Mequinsz. The latter is as large as
Paris, the palace proper covering an area or
two thousand acres. The life the Emperor leads
OF magnificence, luxury, and lack OF what
we deem not only the comforts but the decencies
of existence. He has $500 wives. whom he
places under the surveillance OF about fifty
mstrops, who report on their conduct. They
are we'll and kindly treated on the whole. hav-
ing to wait on them a corresponding number Of
female attendants. When the Sultan goes from
one residence to another all his wives accom-
- - - - - >~a@..~a 60 "a. k.A
only q few days he takes with him not more
than four or FIVE hundred. Muley Hasssn Is a
man Of about forty five; it Is doubtful, how.
ever, whether he himself exactly knows his
age. He is very handsome, with all the calm,
imposing majesty considered inherent to the
Eastern race, but with more animation of feat
ure and expression 10 his fine eyes than the
majority of his compatriots, or at least the
habitual ~shrewdnese reveals more intelligence.
He is COMPARATIVELY well informed about Euro
pean affairs, talking on these topics with a very
fair knowledge; but he occasionally stsrtles
Europeans by questions OF childlike ignorance
and simplicity. such as. How many canDons are
there at Antwerpl' "How many ships on the
whole seaboardl' etc. As it would irritate him
to be left in doubt, the answer SO promptly
given is not always accurate, but be seems per-
fsctiy satisfied with IL.
When the foreign minister lie within q certain
distance Of Mequienez he is met by a troop of
sc. 900 men on horseback. superbly sccoutred.
and shortly afterward the Sultan himself, with
a dazzling suite, rides forth to meet him at the
gates Of the city. He remains on horseback.
but the envoy alights. and the first short formal
OF introduction takes place, after
which the Emperor retires and the diplomatic
with his suite is conducted to the palace set
apart for him and his escort-rhe only dwelling
in the city furnished in European fashion.
The Grand Vizier is still commissioned 70 min
lister to his wants, and pays him frequent v~isits,
never emitting TO admire trifing personal OBJ
jects that may be lying about with snch persist
ency that no alternative is left but to beg his ac-
ceptance of them. AS he expects the offer and
would be very much put out if 1t was not made,
the only way of securing ones property is to put
1t out of sight before his arrival. Ii must, how
ever, DO added that he is easily satisfied; az Old
opera glass, a sixpenny frame. an ancient alma.
nae, a MATCHBOX, being equal prizes in bis
greedy estimation.
st Mequinez the interviews between the Sui.
tan and his guest are numerous and protracted,
always. OF course. carried on through the inter
prefers. The Sultan Is seated cross-legged on Q
heap of superb rugs and furs, the envoy accom-
modated before him with q small arm chair,
the suites remaining motionless and standing.
Dinners are given in honor OF tho stranger at
his own residence; his servants and retainsrs,
If they are Europeans, are made to cit at the
sams table with himself. The dishes placed
upon the board are Of glsantssQue Pro