The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-11-21
ments during all those centuries, -one
may say of them as did the old writer

may say of them as did the old writer
in his chapter on the snakes of Ireland
There are none" The streets are
never cleansed, except by few of ma
lures scavengers. Windows being re-
garded as dangerous, if not irreligous
innovation, the houses are entirely un-
ventilated and no doubt many seclud-
ed women and children in the crowded
harems die from sheer lack of fresh
air and sunshine. Perhaps it is wise
providence in natures economy that
female births outnumber males in the
proportion of thirteen to one, so that
the harem supply may not be depleted
There are several interesting market
places in Morocco city, and an immense
covered bazaar in which no end of Gu
rious articles are exposed for sale. The
palace of the Sultan, outside the walls
on the south, occupies, with it's Deepen
deries, about two hundred acres. When
the Sultan is absent it is closed and de-
serted, one of the most shabby and for
lorn-looking royal residences on earth.
Nobody will say when he will swoop
down again, like an evil bird of prey,
with his wild cavalry gathering at his
heels, shooting their seven-foot guns
recklessly right and left, regardless of
whom they may kill.
Ell Mellah, the Hebrew quarter of the
city-a walled enclosure, two miles in
circuit but more than half in ruins-is
set close to the sacred precincts of the
Sultan and his army, not by any
means as a mark of distinction
to the sons and daughters of Israel,
but SO that the hated race may be
under constant supervision. 1t is
crowded to snffocation, filthy to the
last degree and the poor Jews of these
parts suffer more indignities, if posi-
BILE, than their brethren in the other
parts of Africa. Since time out of
mind, this city has been famous for the
extraordinary beauty, softness and phi
ability of the leather manufactured
here, to which it has given its name,
"Morocco." One great leather estab-
lishment still exists which gives en-
ployment to several hundred Glands"
not to mention those engaged in rails
ing the goats whose skins are used. In
whatever country you buy shoes of
genuine Morocco" you can tell by
their color exactly where they were
made. Those manufactured in Fee are
always red; Taflelet turns out green
ones only; and all the yellow ones come
from the City of Morocco To give the
devil his due,-no people in the world
can render any skins so soft and white,
or dye the leather in such brilliant
and durable hues. 1t is said that in the
tanning they use two species of plants,
indigenous to Africa and unknown to
other nations, which render even the
tough hides of lions and panthers, soft
as silk and white as snow.
Though most Of the beautiful Moroc-
co carpets, which masquerade in
Europe as ''Turkish' rugs, and are call
ed by the Moors SHERIDAN katifah, are
made in the providence of Ducalla, a
few are manufactured in this city, and
are works of art of the highest order
in floor coverings. AS before mention
ed, the soil of this region is proyerbial
for fertility, uneXhausted since remote
antiquity, though constantly cultivat-
ed after most primitive methods, with
no regard to rotation of crops or other
agricultural devices. The weeds are
burned off just before the autumnal
rains begin, and afterwards the ground
is scratched with a wooden plough
drawn by heifer, bullock, mule or
camel, often two or three of the ill
assorted animals hitched together.
Besides gram and vegetables, the
region is famous for its fine almonds
and olives, dates, grapes, oranges,
tobacco, sorghum and cotton. Nearer
to the mountains are vast pastures
where cattle range, and where the
splendid Arabian horses are bred, whose
expectation is forbidden by law. Even
the foot hills and higher slopes of the
Atlas are utilized as runs for the
superior breed of goats whose skins fur
nlsh the World-renoWned Morocco
leather.
FANNIE B. WARD.
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