The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-20

come from evil dispositions or stupidity are unknown. Unfortunately, the llte led by the average Moor Is one that dwarfs refinement of intellect. as It does deveopment of mind, and the vices to which the majority succumb in early life too often stultify the most proml- nent commencement. Probably much of the graceful difference of the young Moors is due to the respect they are taught to pay to their elders but some thing, also, must be due to their un- constrained life and limbs, and their ample costumes, while their very slow ness of action takes an air of dignity.
 It is a pretty sight to see two elderly, dignified Moors salute. With measured pace, the eyes of each fixed on those of the other, they approach with a slight inclination. holding the right hands slightly advanced. They press their finger-tips together, and begin Volley of prescribed salutations, greetings and inquiries, hardly pausing to insert re- plies, and ejaculate God be praised!' Then each presses the finger-tips which have been honored by contact with those of his friend against his lips, and then upon his heart, as he raises his head, and redoubles his salutations.
 To every fellow Moslem the greeting is given "Es-sa salam alaikum" C'Peace be unto you'D. To which the answer is "Wa alaillum es-salam C'And to you be peace'D To the unbeliever the nearest approach to this permitted is Ala sa- lam talk con thy peace'O, which might mean anything. The way to speed the parting guest is to exclaim, God give thee peace!' or more curtly, "In peace" To those whose presence has never been desired it is usual to eX- claim in tones sufficiently explicit, Al lah ihaun-ak!" C'God protect thee!o On arrival it is customary to exclaim to the guest. "Welcome to thee!" or Mar habban, ahlan wa sahlan" c'Be well come, at home, and at casey. Courte- ous interrogatories fall thick and fast. "How art thou? Thy house? ?"-the nearest approach permitted to inquiry after a mans wife-'"Thy relatives? What news? Is nothing wrong?" To which he replies, if there is nothing specially to complain of, "All right, thank God. All are in prosperity" Or, if bad news has to be given. God knows; everything is in the hand of God"
 When Moslem meets a European accompanied by Moor, though the lat ter be the servant he not infrequently | ignores the presence of the foreigner, and offers the salutation to his corel- zionist only; but if he passes a mixed l company of Moors and Jews, or Chris- tians, he eXclaims, Peace be on the people of Isla'm!' If two such parties meet on the road the phrase is, Peace be to those accompanying the Jews,' or the NaZarenes," and it is sufficient for one of each party to give and return the greeting though in the country several often do so. Interiors saluting superb ors usually kiss the hand, shoulder. top of the turban, or feet, or the knee or stirrup of horseman, according to the terms on which they approach. The more abject forms are naturally only used to implore a favor, though they are employed sometimes to Europeans In the extremity of suppl cation the very feet of one's horse are embraced.
 The old custom of falling on one an- others necks is still in vogue between friends long separated. Men and wo- men restrict their greetings in public to words, but, personally was somewhat otol llGu by lIc Suuu6Il SlllDTdCG OI q Hp- gress whose freedom my fathsr had been the means of obtaining. when re- turning to the country after some years absence. The kisses on such oc- casons arc, however, fortunately deliv- cred in the air or on the shoulder It is customary to exclaim at such meetings, T have been desolated for thee!"
 To judge from the exclamations ever on the tongues of the Moors they might be an extremely pious people, and no doubt there are among them those who really mean what they say, but gene rally the most religious phrases have degenerated into vain repetition. Ella borate curses fall almost as freely.
 When about to repeat some part of the Koran, or a prayer, the petition is commonly uttered, q take refuge with God from Satan. the stoned;" and when anything great or alarming occurs, they exclaim, "There is neither change nor power, save in God, the High, the Mighty" Quotations from the Koran are also freely introduced in conversa- tion by the learned, as are proverbs and sayings by the generality of Moors, a knowledge of which is a great help in conversation. /
 Several little social usages of Moorish life deserve attention, though not con- fined to Morocco, such as the exclama- tion to one who sneezes. "The forgive ness of God be on me and on thee," to which the reply is, Justice and praise to God!" If man who yawns in pub lie does not use the prescribed pormula any one speaking to him may place the back of his hand to his mouth, uttering pious sentence, as the devil is accred- ited with performing an unpleasant op- eration in yawning mouths. On the | other hand, any one wearing a new garment, or looking specially spruce. or having performed some clever or meri- torious act, receives the compliment "Bi sahh't-ak" ("In thy strength) But if occasion should arise for the mention, in polite society or before a superior. of woman, a pig or Jew. it is incumbent to make use of an apolo- gy, "Hash-ak!"
 A Moor knows how to enjoy good joke to the full, and, seated cn the floor, he bends backward and forward with , out restraint in his laughter. Often the teller of the story will join in the pro- cess too. Raising their right hands far above their heads as they roll back
 they bring them together in hearty shake. There never was a erandar ,yo :,