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.
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.
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--_in vain!_
CHRISTMAS DAY in a Mohammedan city passed with nothing to mark it except deluges of rain. The fonda had not grown upon us; and when two Moorish houses in the city at last presented themselves, the result of weeks of inquiry, we decided to take one, if, as was apparently the case, a garden-house outside the city was not to be had for love or money. The Moors all told us it was impossible. The fact is, that they are chary of letting their houses to unbelievers: the thing is not encouraged in the land; indeed, they are liable to be imprisoned for doing so, unless they have "protection" from a foreigner.