26 CONVERSION OF AFRICA throughout the empire they close the gates of all the towns on this day, at this period of time, till two o'clock, P. M. : when the prayers are over, and the people go out of the mosques, the gates are again thrown open. This tradition, which is universally believed, acts on the minds of the whole community, and fans the embers of hostility already lighted between Christians and Muhamedans, bringing to the recollection of the latter the hostile intentions of the former to invade and take their country from them, when an opportunity shall offer. On the other hand, what tends to reconcile the two creeds is, the influence that European commerce, and the principles of the Christian doctrine, have had on the muselmen of Africa. This influence extends as far as the commerce with Europeans extends. Wherever the Europeans negociate with the Moors, the great principle of the Christian doctrine is known and discussed,— that principle which surpasses every doctrine propagated by the Grecian philosophers, or the wise men of the East, — that truly noble, liberal, and charitable principle, " Do as you would be done by," influences the conduct of the better educated muselmen who have had long intercourse and negociations with Christians ; and they do not fail to retort it upon us, whenever our conduct deviates from it. Thus, the minds of muselmen, wherever European commerce flows, are tinctured with this great principle of the Christian doctrine. And, to an accurate observer of 17*