tied in the country, while others wander on the frontiers, and are very numerous; and a number of emigrants, from the neighbouring states, particularly Dongola, Mahas, Senaar, and Cordofan. Besides these, Darfur comprehends the inhabitants of various subordinate districts, that are sometimes dependent on Darfur, and sometimes on the surrounding nations: as Dar Rugda, which is generally subject to Bergoo; Dar Berti, Bego, or Dageou, between Darfur and Bergoo, the power of which formerly predominated over the Furian tribes; and Zeghawa, formerly an independent kingdom, that was accustomed to raise a thousand cavalry in war, the inhabitants of which are different in their features from the Negroes.

The dialect of Arabic which is vernacular in Darfur, differs essentially from that spoken in Egypt. The native Furians are more cheerful in their dispositions than the Egyptians; but resemble the Moorish tribes in the violence of their passions, their disregard to truth, their inattention to cleanliness, and their inaccurate ideas of property. As the practice of polygamy is established, their intercourse with the other sex is regulated by no attention to delicacy or decency; and the precepts of Islamism are often infringed, by the relations of brother and sister being exchanged for a closer connection. The sex are, however, subjected to less restraint than in many Mahometan countries. The women appear in public unveiled, make bargains in the markets, and converse with the other sex, without offending their husbands or relations. The most severe labours of the field, and the meanest domestic offices, are performed by the women, who are often seen walking after their husbands, under the prelude of a heavy burden, while these ride before them on their asses, without incumbrance and without concern.

Their houses are built of clay, commonly by the hands of their women, and are covered with a flatish roof of thin boards, coated with clay. Salt is the general medium of exchange in Darfur, but, in some places, small tin rings of arbitrary value, are employed. A caravan passes from Darfur to Egypt, to traffic in slaves, ivory, gum, camels, &c.; but this commercial intercourse is not regular, and is frequently interrupted. The Dongolese and Nubian settlers in Darfur, who had been accustomed to the Egyptian trade, originally opened the route; but merchants are frequently interrupted by the Cusba-besh and Bedeit Arabs; the last of whom are not supposed to be of Arabic origin. The king, or, or as he is denominated, the sultan of Darfur, reigns with absolute authority, and confers the same arbitrary power on his delegates in the provinces. Though the precepts of the Koran are the only rules of decision, in litigation, yet the verdict depends on the will of the judge; and, as none but ecclesiastics dare express their sentiments of his conduct, their opinion is the only check upon his caprice. These judges, however, display considerable ingenuity in developing the most intricate cases that occur in a nation versed in the arts of deceit.

The sultan's revenues consist in the taxes upon merchandise exported and imported; the annual tribute of live stock from the Arabs, and of corn from the towns and villages, with the amount of fines, forfeitures, and presents. The armies of Darfur are not numerous, as 4000 troops are reckoned a formidable number; neither are these troops remarkable for skill, courage, or perseverance, though they endure hunger, thirst, and fatigue, with great resolution, and use no other camp equipage, but a light mat adapted to the size of the body. The troops of Darfur, not actually engaged in war, are reviewed at an annual military festival, termed, The leathering of the kettle-drum, when presents are offered to the sovereign by all the principal people of the country, and various superstitious ceremonies are performed, among which are the sacrifice of a young boy and a girl.

Various superstitious opinions are blended with the Mahometanism of the Furian tribes. The mountaineers sacrifice to the deity of the mountains in order to procure rain. Mahometanism began to prevail in Darfur, in the reign of Solyma, of the Dageou race, who is supposed by Browne to have lived at some period between 130 and 150 years ago. The Dageou race are reported to have been originally expelled from the vicinity of Tunis, and to have resigned the sceptre to the race of Fur, after being exhausted by intestine dissensions. At the inauguration of every king, they are laid to have kindled a fire, which was preserved burning till his death. At the accession of a sultan, the present Furians spread before him various carpets, on which their deceased monarchs used to sit, and from that which obtains the preference, deduce an omen of his future character, which they suppose will resemble its former possessor.