Travels in Morocco, Vol. 1. | Page 2

time since, succeeded in emancipating her
Jewish brethren from their few remaining disabilities; an opportunity
may now be at hand, of ameliorating the condition of those in the
Empire of Morocco, who are forced to submit to a grinding persecution,
and are merely tolerated because they are useful. They supply many
wants of the Moorish population; are the best, and in many handicrafts,
the only artificers, and are much employed by the government in
financial occupations. They are compelled to occupy a distinct quarter
of the town they inhabit; are permitted only to wear black garments, are
forbidden to ride, the horse being considered too noble an animal to
carry a Jew, and are forced to take off their shoes on passing a mosque.
Even the little Moorish boys strike and ill-treat them in various ways,
and the slightest attempt at retaliation was formerly punished with

death, and would now be visited with the bastinado. They are more
heavily taxed than any other class, and special contributions are often
levied on them.
Alas! why should we respect the national existence of any community
of Mahometans? Have we effaced from our memory their treachery and
inhuman cruelty in India; their utter worthlessness in Turkey; their
neglect in taking advantage of the richness with which nature has blest
the countries in their possession; and their conquest from Christendom
of one of the fairest portions of Europe.
Civilization cries aloud for retribution on a race whose religion teaches
them to regard us as "dogs." Surely, far from protecting and cherishing,
we should hunt them out of the fair lands they occupy, and force them
back on the deserts which vomited them forth on our ancestors ten
centuries ago. Brief periods of glory at Bagdad, Cairo, and Granada,
should not protect those who are now slaves to the lowest vices that
degrade human nature. No administrative reforms are at all practicable;
their moral maladies have attacked the vital element; the sole cure is
conquest, and the substitution of Christian Governments in Northern
Africa, and Turkey in Europe and Asia. Russia, France, Austria, Greece,
and Spain are weary of the excesses of their savage neighbours; none
can be honestly inclined to stay their avenging swords.
I have, in these prefatory remarks, extracted a few particulars from the
short chapter on Morocco, contained in my work on the "French in
Africa," and in advocating a crusade against the Mahometan races, I
believe I am recording the sentiments of millions of Europeans.
It now only remains for me to give expression to that universal feeling
of regret which prevails among my countrymen at the untimely fate of
poor Richardson, and to offer my congratulations that he has
bequeathed to us so pleasing an addition to his former works as the
following narrative of his "Travels in Morocco."
L. TRENT CAVE, F.R.G.S. Author of "The French in Africa."
Army and Navy Club, November, 1859.

PREFACE.
The present unsettled state of affairs in Morocco, in consequence of the
War in which she is now engaged with her more powerful and ancient
enemy--Spain, must, I conceive, render any information regarding a

region so little known peculiarly acceptable at the present moment.
In Morocco, my late husband laboured to advance the same objects
which had previously taken him to Central Africa, viz., the
amelioration of the condition of the strange and remarkable races of
men who inhabit that part of the world. He aimed at the introduction of
a legitimate commerce with a view, in the first instance, to destroy the
horrible and revolting trade in slaves, and thus pave the way for the
diffusion of Christianity among a benighted people. While travelling,
with these high purposes in contemplation, he neglected no opportunity
of studying the geography of the country, and of obtaining an insight
into the manners, customs, prejudices, and sentiments of its inhabitants,
as well as any other useful information in relation to it.
I accompanied him on his travels in Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, in
which last city he left me, it not being considered advisable that I
should proceed with him into the interior of the country. We were not
destined to meet again in this world. My beloved husband died at
Bornou, in Central Africa, whither he was sent by Her Majesty's
Government to enter into treaties with the chiefs of the surrounding
districts.
Of the many difficulties and dangers which the traveller is likely to
encounter in penetrating into the interior of so inhospitable a region, the
reader may form some idea by a perusal of the the following extracts
from my husband's writings.
"I am very much of opinion that in African travel we should take
especial care not to attempt too much at once; that we should proceed
very slowly, feeling our way, securing