ish for the Sultan's favour, which in order to remain in office is
most desirable, he will forward a present regularly to Court, though at
every feast he is obliged to send another in addition. When a Sultan
imprisons a minister, he confiscates all his money.

Bribes largely contribute towards filling the coffers of Government
officials, from toadies down to unfortunate sufferers. A man has to buy
himself out of prison: it costs a murderer about four pounds. Those who
cannot afford to pay do not come out.

Not long ago a poor man whom we knew was suddenly appointed to fill a
lucrative post under Government. He dare not refuse it, but he was head
over ears in debt, and of course a large sum of money was due in return
for the appointment. He borrowed from the Jews and took up office. In one
year he had paid all his debts, he had paid the Jews, and built himself a
luxurious house. And who can wonder at it? Customs-house officers can all
retire after _three years_ (if they choose), and live well. It is
calculated that the Government gets exactly half of the duties.

Tetuan had a favourite tale of bribery. A man wanted to make sure of a
case he was bringing before the basha. He knew that the basha had a
weakness for mirrors. He was a poor man, but he bought the best
looking-glass he could afford, and dispatched it. The case came on; the
basha gave it against him.

"What!" cried the poor, discomfited loser; "did you not receive the
mirror?"

"Yes," replied the basha coolly; "but immediately afterwards a very fine
mule came along, and _he kicked the looking-glass into a thousand
fragments_."

So when a man is disappointed of his due, they say, "The mule has kicked
the glass."

Another man had a brother in prison whom he wished to buy out: he took
the basha a mule, and presented himself with his present.

"You shall not bribe me," said the basha. "Soldier! put this man into
prison with his brother, and put the mule into my stable."

The man's family had a heavy bribe to raise.

CHAPTER VI

WE LOOK OVER A MOORISH COURTYARD HOUSE WITH A VIEW TO TAKING IT--WE RENT
JINAN DOLERO IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION--AN ENGLISHMAN MURDERED--OUR
GARDEN-HOUSE--THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF MOORISH SERVANTS--A NATIVE GUARD--THE
RIFF COUNTRY.

CHAPTER VI

Ah! Moon of my delight, who know'st no wane
The Moon of Heaven is rising once again:
How oft hereafter rising shall she look
Through this same garden after me--_