men to hear it. Next, a Greek firm has offered to
construct the much-needed port at Tangier, if His Majesty will grant
us the concession till the work be paid for by the tolls. Such a
measure would tend to greatly increase the Moorish revenues."

_Interpreter._ "The Minister wishes to build a port at Tangier, yes,
my Lord, and to hold it till the tolls have paid for it."

_Sultan._ "Which may not be till Doomsday. Nevertheless, I
will consent to any one making the port whom all the European
representatives shall agree to appoint"--a very safe promise to make,
since the Emperor knew that this agreement was not likely to be
brought about till the said Domesday.

_Interpreter._ "Your Excellency's request is granted. You have only to
obtain the approval of your colleagues."

_Minister._ "His Majesty is exceedingly gracious, and I am
correspondingly obliged to him. Inform His Majesty that the same firm
is willing to build him bridges over his rivers, and to make roads
between the provinces, which would increase friendly communications,
and consequently tend to reduce inter-tribal feuds."

_Interpreter._ "The Minister thanks our Lord, and wants also to build
bridges and roads in the interior to make the tribes friendly by
intercourse."

_Sultan._ "That would never do. The more I keep the tribes apart the
better for me. If I did not shake up my rats in the sack pretty often,
they would gnaw their way out. Besides, where my people could travel
more easily, so could foreign invaders. No, I cannot think of such a
thing. God created the world without bridges."

_Interpreter._ "His Majesty is full of regret that in this matter he
is unable to please Your Excellency, but he thinks his country better
as it is."

_Minister._ "Although I beg to differ from His Majesty, so be it. Next
there is the question of our commerce with Morocco. This is greatly
hampered by the present lack of a fixed customs tariff. There are
several articles of which the exportation is now prohibited, which it
would be really very much in the interest of his people to allow us to
purchase."

_Interpreter._ "The Minister requests of our Lord a new customs
tariff, and the right to export wheat and barley."

_Sultan._ "The tariff he may discuss with the Wazeer of the Interior;
I will give instructions. As for the cereals, the bread of the
Faithful cannot be given to infidels."

_Interpreter._ "His Majesty accedes to your Excellency's request.
You hav