ANTI-COMMERCIAL SYSTEM. 211 than probable that this singular art of constructing mitferes, was derived in ancient times fi'om the catacombs of Egypt, and that Joseph might have preserved Pharaoh's corn ' upwards of seven years, in similar magazines. The Emperor Seedi Muliamed, who possessed considerable talent, and had a perfect knowledge of the disposition and character of his subjects, used to say in the (emshoer,) place of audience, before all the people, in the latter part of his reign : — " You complain of my decrees ; but when 1 am departed from this world, you shall seek for one day of Seedi Muhamed's reign, but you shall not find it." This prediction has been literally verified throughout the respective reigns of his sons Muley Yezzed, and Muley El Hesham, and even his son the present Emperor has often manifested an anti-commercial system, and has accordingly (probably by the advice ofthe Fakeers belonging to the divan) prohibited the exportation of most articles of clothing, and provision, such as wool, Fas manufactures, corn, olive oil, raisins, &c.

A wine company, consisting of gentlemen ofpractical experience in that branch ofbusiness, might form a most beneficial establishment at Genesis, xli. 48.

* The result of this anti-commercial system is, that corn is dearer than it was during the exportation. Many millions of acres of the finest and most productive land lies fallow for want of a market for its produce ; indeed, the produce has sometimes been so low for want of a market, that I have known instances of the corn having been left standp2