_Sheikh Ali._--(Smiling faintly.) "Christian, thou wilt know everything. My father told me when I came out of the belly of my mother, that I was a _Ben Wezeelee_, and I have remained so to this day. But why or wherefore, I know not? Dost thou not see that people do this and that, and know not why they do it? Well, Christian, we do not hate the Ben Wezeet; but we will not associate with them, because we are proud, and because our fathers did not associate with them. It is pride, not hatred, which divides this our nation into two." "Why so proud? It says in the Koran the Devil would not admire Adam for pride[50], and God cursed him for his pride." _Sheikh Ali._--"Ah, Christian, how knowest thou the Koran? Canst thou read the Great and Mighty Koran?" "In England we read the Koran in order to obtain a correct knowledge of classic Arabic. Others read it to understand the religion of Moslems." _Sheikh Ali._--"Right, right. The Christians are a wise people. Oh, these religions!" I thought I heard a regret of scepticism, or a kindly view of heretics and infidels, in the latter exclamation, "_Oh, these religions!_" So I observed to the Sheikh, "A pity it is we are not all of one religion, as we are all the children of one Creator." _Sheikh Ali._--"By G----! Christian, thou art right. I have always prayed God to lead me in the right way, and to have mercy upon others. But do you know, Christian, I think there were amongst those prophets of ancient times many impostors. What do you think?" "I am sure of it. It is also the opinion of all our wise men in England." _Sheikh Ali._--"Christian, I hate Marabouts. In the long years of my life I have seen all their tricks, lies, and impositions. I am sorry for the poor people, on whom they practise their impostures, and also for the women. I have one daughter; I never permitted her to consult a marabout. I told her what the wretches were. Have you marabouts in England?" "Yes, of all descriptions. We have also many who get the women to confess the secrets of families, and create an odious war in the bosom of society." _Sheikh Ali._--"Ah, ah (chuckling), all the world's alike. God curse those marabouts. Do you give them money?" "Money! In our country, nothing is done without money." _Sheikh Ali._--(Becoming fresh excited.) "What! are the English like us? is a man esteemed for his money?" "You have heard of London?" _Sheikh Ali._--"_Londra?_" "Yes, that's it. Well, in Londra, nor virtue, nor honour, nor wisdom, is worth anything without money." _Sheikh Ali._--"The Devil take the world, it's all alike. So here, so there. When I was rich, everybody bowed down to me; now that I am poor, they pass me by without saying _bis-slamah_ (saluting). Why did God make money? How wretched is the world." So this philosopher of The Desert continued. Returning, I bade the ancient Sheikh an affectionate adieu.