them to be the enclosure of a
churchyard. The houses in the neighbourhood of the park are low, and
built in the same manner as those of Guadnum, but dirtier, and not so
well aired.

The guard who attended my person, presented me to the consul and
vice-consul. They offered me board and lodging, till I should set out
for France. A second guard very soon came to acquaint me, that, the
emperor informed of my arrival, had ordered me to appear immediately
before him. I therefore followed this messenger, who conducted me
through vast courts, where I saw nothing but very high walls of sand,
and a scorching sun, which darted right on our heads the whole day. I at
length reached the palace, where his majesty's guards are assembled.
Those who attend his majesty's person, are armed with a gun. Their dress
consists of one coat of any colour, and a cloak, similar to those of the
capuchin friars. They have on their head a small red cap, with a blue
tassel at top. Their naked feet only half enter their slippers, which
they are obliged to drag after them. They carry the case of their gun in
the form of St Andrew's Cross, and have a girdle around their body, by
which hangs a cartouch box. Those who do not belong to this corps, have
only a white staff for all their armour.

The horsemen are dressed in the same manner. They wear half-boots on
their feet, and great spurs of nine or ten inches long, which resemble
so many spikes of iron. Their horses have always their sides opened to
the quick; the riders jag them continually, and appear to have pleasure
in it. This is a faithful portrait of the troops of his majesty the King
of Morocco.

While I waited for an audience, I saw a captain review his troops. He
sat down on the ground, his chin leaning on his two hands, and his arms
placed on his knees, and turned up towards his chin. He made the
soldiers advance two by two, and gave them the word of command. These,
having prostrated themselves before him, retired behind, and went about
their affairs.

Five or six of those who were armed with clubs, seized me by the collar,
as if I had been a criminal. They caused open two great folding gates,
like those of our granaries, and pushed me roughly into the park.

In vain I looked around me in search of some ensign of royalty. At
length, having passed a kind of _bruette_,[33] 15 or 20 paces, they made
me turn about my face, and I was ordered while they pushed me roughly
forward, to prostrate my