When the Maltonetans of Andalusia, Granada, arid Co4, Bova, during the revolutions in Spain, passed over to Fez, they introduced the Spanish method of dressing and dye ing sheep and goat skins, red and yellow, then called Cor dovan, now Morocco leather. At Fez, also, was first es tablished the manufacture of milled woollen caps WOrn by the Moors, and brought to so great perfection at Tunis. They are named Fez by the Turks, which confirms the account of their having originated in that city. Besides gauzes, silks, and other stuffs fabricated at this city, it is celebrated for an elegant manufacture, namely, sashes of silk and gold. In addition to its own manufactures, Fez is the common magazine of Barbary, to which are brought all kinds of commodities from the sea-ports of Morocco and the Mediterranean, from the eastern countries by the caravans of pilgrims, and from the centre of Africa by the caravans of merchants. Its chief exports arc gums, raisins, dates, carraway, anise and worm seeds, ci trons, capers, oil of olives, tallow, hides, tanned leather, particularly Morocco leather, ostrich feathers, lead ore., elephant's teeth. To Timbuctoo, the merchants of Fez send various articles of European, Indian, and Barbary produce, especially linens, muslins, !hie cloths, raw silk, beads, brass nails, coffee, tea, and sugar, shawls, and sashes of silk and gold, haiks, (pieces of cloth used by the Afri cans as outer garments) of silk, cotton, and wool ; turbans; spices, tobacco, and salt. In return, they receive gums, gold rings, elephant's teeth, ambergris, ostrich feathers, and slaves. The cal avails, which carry on this trade from Fez to Timbuctoo across the desert, generally travel seven hours a-day, at the rate of 3 miles au hour, and complete the journey between the two cities in 129 days, 54 only of which are employed in actual travelling.
On account of the number of Mahometan saints said to have been buried in Fez, it is considered by the Aloo•s as a sacred asylum, and an object of devotion. Hence all Jews and Christians are prohibited from entering its gates; and an order from the emperor is necessary before they can gain admission. This, however, seems to apply only to Old Fez, for the new town is principally occupied by Jews, who, notwithstanding the contempt with which they are treated, carry on a regular trade with the inhabitants of the city. In the various revolutions to which the coun try of West Barbary has been subject, the citizens of Fez were always ready to change their master, and generally yielded at the first approach of a victorious leader. They pretend even to plead, that this is a privilege which they enjoy from the founder of their city ; but it is considered as proceeding rather from their own cowardice, or from the situation of the place, which is incapable of defence. Old Fez is several leagues in circumference, but a great part of the inclosed space is occupied by gardens. It is about 120 miles from the sea-coast, and 36 from the city of Mequinez, to which there is an excellent road along a pleasant plain, watered by numerous rivulets and canals. The communication between these two cities is very easy and expeditious, by means of mules, which may be had ready saddled at all hours of the day, and which accom plish the journey at an easy pace in six hours, so as fre quently to return the same day.
In the year 1799, a dreadful plague, which spread over all the empire of Morocco, originated in this city, which some ascribed to infected merchandise from the East, and others to the pestilential smell of the dead locusts which infested West Barbary during the seven preceding years. In the cities of Old and New Fez, it carried off 1200 or 1500 persons daily ; and during its continuance, 65,000 of the inhabitants perished. This deadly calamity produced a wonderful alteration in the circumstances of the survi vors, and reduced all classes to a strange system of equa lity. Flocks and herds were left in the fields without a
possessor; fortunes were inherited, or rather taken up, by common labourers; provisions became extremely cheap and abundant; the expence of labour increased enormous ly; and so few of the poor were spared, or those who had survived were now become so rich, that there were none almost to work or serve ; and the most wealthy indivi duals were obliged to labour for themselves, and to per form with their own hands the menial offices of their re spective families. See Modern Univ. Hist. vol. xviii. p. 74; Chenier's Present State of Morocco, vol. i. p. 71; and Jackson's Account of Morocco, p. 129. (q) FEZ, a province of the empire of Morocco, is bounded on the north by the province of Errif, on the cast by Ted la, on the south by the mountains of Atlas, on the south west by Shawiya, and on the west by Garb and 13enchassan. Its dependencies are very extensive, and include several 'mountainous tracts, well cultivated, and lull of inhabitants. Its principal mountains are Zaragh, one side of which is covered with vines, while the other is completely barren, and which lies between the river Seboo and the plain where the capital stands ; and Zarkon or Zaraharum, which is shaded with olive trees, and on the summit of which are the ruins of Titulies or Tuilit, once a considerable town, but demolished by a prince of the family of the A hnora vides. The Seboo, the largest rivers of West Bar bary, rises in the eastern part of the province, near the foot of the Atlas mountains, and passes within six miles of the city of Fez. It is impassable, except in boats and rafts; and at Mamora, where it enters the ocean, is a deep and navigable river, capable of affording a cheap conveyance for corn to the city of Fez, which is at present supplied with that essential article by means of loaded camels, whose hire often exceeds the original cost of the grain. The ri ver flu Regreg, also, which discharges itself into the ocean between the towns of Salee and Rabat, rises on one of the mountains of Atlas, and proceeds through the woods and wallies of the territory of Fez. The only other town in the province of any note, besides the capital, is MEeterNEz, which will be described in a separate article. The whole of this province is a rich champaign country, remarkably productive in grain. The soil is a rich black, sometimes reddish mould, without stones or clay. No other manure is employed, than the long stubble burned on the field; and no other culture is neccessary than to throw the grain upon the ground, and cover it with the plough. The principal crops are wheat and barley ; but in lands adjacent to the rivers, beans, pease, caravanies, rice and Indian corn, are occasionally cultivated. There are few trees, except the olive plantations and gardens around the cities of Fez and Mequinez. Fruits of various kinds are very abundant, particularly oranges, (which arc frequently sold at a dollar a thousand,) grapes, melons, and figs of different sorts. Cherries also are produced in this province, though they are said not to ripen in any other part of the empire. In the country around the city of Mequinez, as well as in the province of Benihassan, is produced the tobacco called Me quinasi, which is so much esteemed for making snuff. A mineral salt of a red colour, exceedingly strong, is dug from quarries in the vicinity of Fez ; and considerable quan tities of saltpetre are also produced in the adjoining coun try. Near to the city is a mineral spring, which is said to be an infallible remedy for the venereal disease, if used for forty days successively ; and many persons in all stages of the disorder, resort to its waters with much advantage.