The Republican journal., 1901-07-18
AFRICAN JEWS.

TIE MEN, AZ RlCA, y ullo D, 15ul. AS
IN Algers, SO everywhere in Northern
africa. we find the Arab or native popu-
1,-ou crowded together in the smallest
,oJ meanest novels, in the narrowest,
4rkest and dirtiest alleys Of town,
,4t enging with sullen tenacity to the
oays Of their wealthy and educated
ancestors. greatly degenerated. The
sreigu element-French, English, Ital-
,sn spanish, numerically in the order
named - invariably preempt the best
aolrlous. which they have builded for
rb4o,Selves, their modern villas set in
r,de. clean, well-paved, streets or shad-
uhurbS, and their manner of living
8. more or less correct imitation of
h. IAllSian; while the Hebrews, who
generally out-number either and are in
..uAOly richer, occupy discreet mid
f-ermd between squalor and luxury.
Tat $. so far as outside appearances
some of their mansions of plainest
rg-.l.pr are very sumptuously furnish
.-.ut as for dirt, they Guido even
atAIlbs. No matter in what corner
II e world Fate may strand him, the
les preserves intact his social charac-
rasrcS his passion for gorgeous
ou-ng and his love of music. Though
,.usUmes an Objectionable citizen to
Ue'o-NaXon taste he is never bad
me- Quiet, law-abiding, religious ac-
uug to his lights, generous in clan
.>. way. and exceedingly hospitable-
t..Norst faults that can be attributed
pha concern his notorious lack Of per-
,ons cleanliness, his odoriferous food
which perfumes the air for squares
aa.nd and his peculiar gift of money
eeHNg which enables him to wax ever
releJ and richer at the expense of his
Gentle neighbors. The one motto of
Ms te appears to be ''The Law and the
Tr9Hts'-the law of Moses and the
motif, Of pawn broker the money
'uge and the clothing-merchant.
Here are many wealthy Israelites in
tmcen, who live quite to themselves
IL. tueir own commodious quarter, hav-
lie socially nothing to do with the
FHopean residents. But that they
hive extensive, though generally sub
U,a- dealings with them in the line of
u54e many tottering commercial
.,u,es, and titled individuals addicted
2. -ames of chance. and impecmious
-v.uger sons" of noble families who
have looked too long upon the wine
ReH it is red, might all testify if
-.t. would. Thanks to letters of in
uoouction from well-known New DIRK
Rabbi. our small party has been favored
.rc.oSer acquaintance with this Jewish
olnUnity than is often attained by
Strangers. Surely, it is no breach of
good faith to describe for my friends of
IHe Republican Journal some of the
tAming entertainments to which we
lave been hidden. Happily, we are not
Pered 10y unconquerable prejudices
j. tdyor of American institutions.
Legoguizing the right of all peoples
u ,Aeir own peculiar customs, differ
t-7 ever so widely from those we were
#n to.-We can not only adapt our
eS comfortably to whatever comes
- but find much to admire in the
and strange.
VT first Jewish dinner party to which
n, ere invited brought us to the door
large, plain-fronted house in the
..HeW quarter of Tlemcen, at the
a.-er unusual hour for dinner of p.
Before we had time to lift hand
ul shocking, a servant - evidently
",ted on the lookout-gave notice of
'~ rrival and our host, with his wife
M3 nine children, including an infant
d}ms, his sister and mother-in-law
a-d uephews and nieces-came crowd
jig forth to welcome us. We after
is learned that the old Jewish Gus
-oU descended from the days of Moses,
ts the whole family without the
-"or of the tent to greet the coming
guest The lady of the house, who was
rikingly handsome woman-though
dark of visage. obese of figure and far
aoug in the forties-as we'll as her
lately mother, had the good sense not
To abandon her picturesque national
ccstume She wore the formla. or vel
Vet vest, buttoned tightly over her
4hple bosom; the gold embroidered
attain; the Veden, or skirt Of embossed
SILK and the ghelibos or sleeves of trans
parent gauze, concealing yet revealing
-he Jwo robust arms. Her shining hair,
lack as the ravens wing, but slightly
headed with gray, disappears beneath
THE graceful folds of the m'harma-a
a6en kerchief, fringed with gold. Her
eldle of satin, gorgeously striped in
'nmSon, purple and yellow, upheld a
heayy golden chain, terminated by a
leVelled perfume box. Her neck was
-.aSped by collar of pearls; diamonds
uhies and emeralds glittered in her
sals, upon her wrists and fingers: a
sight Naturalization as she walked,
gave hints of anklets, and her bare feet
We're thrust into gold embroidered slip