16 TliVIBUCTOO.

ing and strangling are seldom used ; and basti-

nadoing to death, is only inflicted when the

crime is highly aggravated. Capital crimes are

murder, robbery with violence, and stealing

cattle. Small offences, as stealing slaves and

other articles, are punished by the bastinado. The landed estates of criminals are never for-

feited.

'* The police is so good, that merchants

reside there in perfect safety. There are no

exactions or extortions practised by govern-

ment, as in Barbary, nor even any presents

asked for the king. A debtor proving his in-

ability, cannot be molested

*" ; but to the extent

of his means he is always liable ; on refusing to

pay, he may be imprisoned ; but upon proving

his insolvency before the judge, he is discharged, though always liable if he should have means

at any future time. Watchmen patrole in the

^ But go to the next heir.

* This is the written Muharaedan law : the insolvent is

always liable, but cannot be arrested or imprisoned whilst he

remains insolvent, but continues always liable for the debt

if he afterwards becomes solvent. The present Emperor

of Marocco has lately published an edict. Hearing that his Jew subjects in London frequently became bankrupts, or made compositions with their creditors, has enacted, that all

persons in his dominions who hve by buying and selling, shall

pay their just debts; but if unable, their brethren, or rela-

tions shall pay their creditors for them. If they are unable,

the insolvent is to receive a beating every morning at sun-

rise, to remind him of his defalcation. This law was enacted

at Fas in 1817, and since then, I am informed, no bankruptcy

has happened in that great commercial city.