A successful candidate will, however, first of all find himself appointed to the post of _adel_, a kind of superior clerk in a native lawyer’s office, and from that he can rise to _bash adel_, or principal clerk. From the _bash adels_ are chosen the _kadis_. The _kadis_ have many functions, which in England would combine the duties of solicitor, official receiver, registrar, and judge, without the latter’s power of awarding punishment. All native cases of jurisdiction are first of all brought before the _caïds_ and _aghas_ of the district. If they are crimes or cases with which he can not deal by compromise, he either sends them on to the Bureau Arabe or, if they are not criminal offenses, to the _kadi_. People who require arbitration can, of course, go direct to the _kadi_, but the nomad prefers the ruling of his _caïd_. The most usual cases to come before the _kadi_ are those of inheritance, lawsuits, sales of property, and family quarrels. He also marries and divorces those who wish it. His decision is final, and even in questions between great chiefs they must either accept the _kadi’s_ ruling or else carry the case before the French tribunals, which is a lengthy and expensive procedure. In fact the _kadi_ is the decisive factor in all native disputes, in all family matters, and in all cases which do not actually incur definite punishment. The _kadis_ themselves are usually charming people, cultivated, courteous, and full of a quiet sense of humor gathered amidst the comedies and tragedies of daily life which pass before them. Many of them have a great deal of moral influence, and are instrumental in bringing about reconciliations between foolish couples and quarreling families. There are also learned men, called _talebs_, in Mohammedan centers. These natives teach the Koran in the schools and counsel others who want advice in legal matters. They have also the important function of writing and translating documents and letters for those illiterate natives who require their services, whether it be in French or in Arabic. On the same plane as the _kadi_, but without the same official education, are found those of the second category, mentioned above—the religious teachers. First of all the _mufti_. The _muftis_ often have had a legal education and are consulted on Mohammedan law before taking cases before the _kadi_, in the same way as in England one goes to a solicitor, but they are chiefly authorities on religious rites, and they hold official positions at the mosques. Every Friday and on feast days they preach and expound the Koran at the midday and evening prayer. Their power has greatly diminished of late but their knowledge of Mohammedan scripture is profound. In cases where there is no _mufti_ the _kadi_ is regarded as the authority on religious matters.