them with
sand. During my stay among them, I was desirous of taking that charge,
and of rubbing, until I should clear the verdigris entirely away. But
they absolutely forbad me, telling me that I should wear their kettle.
It is therefore impossible but that victuals kept in such vessels must
prove prejudicial to their health.

It sometimes happens that the fields of these barbarians are covered
with plentiful crops. But instead of waiting till the grain attains to
maturity, they cut it down, and dry it over hot cinders; without
reflecting that, by pursuing this method, they deprive themselves of
that abundance which is necessary for the support of their families, and
of straw to feed their cattle, which, for the most part, are reduced to
the necessity of browzing on dry branches of trees; and that they
themselves are often obliged to eat the saddles and girths from the
backs of their camels. I could not see, without regret, the little care
which these barbarians take in preparing the earth. They leave the seed
between heaps of stones, and among bushes, the parched roots of which
absorb all the moisture of the ground, on which the waters leave a kind
of mud very proper for assisting early vegetation. The person who is
employed to till the ground, repairs to those spots which the rain has
principally moistened, and scatters the seed here and there
indifferently; after which, he turns up the earth with a plough drawn by
one camel, which consequently makes a furrow of very little depth. If
the moisture of the clouds happens to second his labour, each retires
with his portion to some rock or cavern. In passing through more fertile
cantons, I have found under my feet sheaves of corn, the full ears of
which invited the most opulent Arab to collect them. Others, heaped one
upon another, remained exposed to the injuries of the weather, because
the proprietor found himself provided with enough to last him until the
season when the vapours attracted by the mountains should fall down in
torrents, and overflow the valleys.

"Is it possible," reasoned I with myself, "that any of mankind are in
such a state of ignorance, as to make so little improvement of the
blessings of Providence? How happy would I think myself with any kind of
food suited to my taste!" I have at times taken a few handfuls of this
barley, and, having cleaned the grain by rubbing it in my hands, I then
eat it with inexpressible pleasure. On such occasions, I coul