Sidi Mohammed d’Gheïs, formerly minister to the Bashaw, but who had retired some years since on account of total blindness, showed us every attention, and by his kind assistance afforded us most useful information. He had travelled much in Europe, and was well acquainted with our customs, so that he was perfectly qualified to caution us on many points which, had we remained in ignorance of them, would inevitably have betrayed us to be Christians to the people in the interior. It would be useless to attempt giving any description of the city of Tripoli, as it has already been done by far more able pens than mine; but of any particular occurrences which attracted my attention during my residence there, I conceive I may be allowed to make mention. The most extraordinary characters are the Marāboots, مرابوت a set of people much spoken of in all Moslem countries; but it strikes me that the requisites necessary to constitute one of these saints are not every where the same. In the interior they consist in keeping up the outward show of sanctity, in abstaining from proscribed liquors, in avoiding improper or profane expressions, in being faithful to the limited number of wives (namely four), and in not intriguing with the wives of other men; whilst in Tripoli such forbearance is by no means considered necessary. The Marāboots there, are of two classes: idiots, who are allowed to say and do whatever they please; and men possessed of all their senses, who, by juggling and performing many bold and disgusting tricks, establish to themselves the exclusive right of being the greatest rogues and nuisances to be met with. There are mosques in which these people assemble every Friday afternoon, and where they eat snakes, scorpions, &c. affecting to be inspired, and committing the greatest extravagancies. On the 9th of January, 1819, their annual festival began, and continued for three days, with all its barbarous ceremonies. On, or rather before this day, the great Marāboot is supposed to inspire those who are to appear in the processions, and who, according to their abilities, are more or less mad and furious. The natural fools are always ready for the exhibition; and it is amusing to observe their looks of astonishment at being on that day, more than any other, brought into notice. During the time the Marāboots (who are guarded and attended by a great number of people) are allowed to parade the streets, no Christians or Jews can with any safety make their appearance, as they would, if once in the power of these wretches, be instantly torn to pieces; indeed, wherever they show themselves on their terraces or from windows, they are sure of a plentiful shower of stones from the boys who are in attendance.