ban without a beard shows lack of modesty."

_Moorish Proverb._

Haj Mohammed Et-Tajir, a grey-bearded worthy, who looks like a prince
when he walks abroad, and dwells in a magnificent house, sits during
business hours on a diminutive tick and wool mattress, on the floor
of a cob-webbed room on one side of an ill-paved, uncovered, dirty
court-yard. Light and air are admitted by the door in front of which
he sits, while the long side behind him, the two ends, and much of the
floor, are packed with valuable cloths, Manchester goods, silk, etc.
Two other sides of the court-yard consist of similar stores, one
occupied by a couple of Jews, and the other by another fine-looking
Haj, his partner.

Enters a Moor, in common clothing, market basket in hand. He
advances to the entrance of the store, and salutes the owner
respectfully--"Peace be with thee, Uncle Pilgrim!"

"With thee be peace, O my master," is the reply, and the new-comer is
handed a cushion, and motioned to sit on it at the door. "How doest
thou?" "How fares thy house?" "How dost thou find thyself this
morning?" "Is nothing wrong with thee?" These and similar inquiries
are showered by each on the other, and an equal abundance is returned
of such replies as, "Nothing wrong;" "Praise be to God;" "All is
well."

When both cease for lack of breath, after a brief pause the new
arrival asks, "Have you any of that 'Merican?" (unbleached calico).
The dealer puts on an indignant air, as if astonished at being asked
such a question. "_Have_ I? There is no counting what I have of it,"
and he commences to tell his beads, trying to appear indifferent as to
whether his visitor buys or not. Presently the latter, also anxious
not to appear too eager, exclaims, "Let's look at it." A piece is
leisurely handed down, and the customer inquires in a disparaging
tone, "How much?"

"Six and a half," and the speaker again appears absorbed in
meditation.

"Give thee six," says the customer, rising as if to go.

"Wait, thou art very dear to us; to thee alone will I give a special
price, six and a quarter."

"No, no," replies the customer, shaking his finger before his face, as
though to emphasize his refusal of even such special terms.

"Al-l-lah!" piously breathes the dealer, as he gazes abstractedly out
of the door, presently adding in the same devout tone, "There is no
god but God! God curse the infidels!"

"Come, I'll give thee six and an okea"--of which latter six an