144 AFRICAN WANDEEIXGS.

retire to their native land, or into some town where they may pass the remainder of their lives in rest and quiet. Well, they say so and what happens ? Their accoiints, since they entered the aimy, are revised, and it were a miracle were no deficiency diicovered, and such too as far exceeds all the goods and property of the culprit; so that, were he to live to the most unusual age, he never could make good the sum wanting. Thus are and remain all, even the most dignified Paschas, slaves for life ; and ever must they tremble either for their wealth or their lives. If they die soon— it is well— the divan are their heirs. If they are tenacious of life, or show any symptom of attempting flight, means are found to introduce into their coffee or food a certain specific for all life's pains. The higher Turks, whose wealth is known, are thus ever held in constant fear ; and often present large sums to the divan as antidotes to such specifics, or, during life, declare the divan their heir, and this proper feeling is found to be in general a good diverter of the evil : such doings as these are not solely confined to Egypt, but are common enough in Turkey itself.

Turks, Arabs, and Negroes, all add greatly to these and other annoyances by their superstitions. These prevail, indeed, more or less in all countries among the ignorant and demi-savage races, but here it is not confined to the low or uneducated ; but the same ridiculous opinions are held by the highest and best informed. On all of them are amulets, i. e., texts or words from the Koran, written on tablets and inclosed in leather cases, to be seen. Even the otherwise free-thinking and well-informed Pascha is not free from these superstitions, as, although no amulets are to be seen on himself, still his favourite dromedary bears various such charms on his neck. Among the Haddenda at present each has fresh amulets suspended to some old long worn one, and all for the same object, viz., to make themselves ball and sabre proof against the daily expected attack of the Turks.

AHi Aga, whose family-name is Sobi, leader of 300 Magrabins, told us, with solemn face, that during a battle in Hedjas, against the Bedouins there, he had three horses shot under him, and all his dress torn and riddled by balls, but not one of them touched his body. We said, he was in high luck; but he proudly drew from his breast a little old leathern bag, and holding it up trium-