SULTAN BELLO 397 wave with the wind." Wheat began north of Zarla. Zaria was then largely populated by Fulani and Arabs who had flocked to Dan Fodio's standard, and to whom he had given the lands of the former inhabitants, who had fled to the mountains in the southern part of the province. These Mohammedan inhabitants maintained, like the pagans, a chronic state of war against the Fulani. The general form of residence of the Fulani rulers in Haussaland seems to have been adapted to this condition of affairs, and was, Clapperton tells us, "like the old keeps or castles in Scotland, near the borders." Throughout the whole of his active life Bello found time to devote to literature. He was extremely fond of study, and wrote many books. His numerous works were, it is said, usually written in the form of dissertations, or replies to questions which raised doubtful points of law. But he also wrote some purely literary essays, amongst them one upon the poems of his father, which were "composed in the Soudanese language." Some short notes of his upon the geography and history of the Soudan, compiled by him from Haussa manuscripts, have been preserved. He is said to have encouraged science and learning, and at his court distinguished men from all countries were well received. It must, however, be counted as a serious blot upon his literary reputation that he everywhere permitted Haussa manuscripts to be destroyed. In order to efface the records of the conquered people. He encouraged the members of his own family to acquire learning, and protested warmly against the form of Haussa superstition, which would have accredited them, by the mere fact of their birth, with inherited wisdom. "That," he constantly told them, "is pure illusion ; knowledge can be maintained only by instruction." In his public dealings he was equitable and modest. He maintained himself In early life entirely by his own exertions, refusing to live upon the public treasury. He