CHAPTER  THE  TENTH
THE  MOORISH  GOVERNMENT
 

NOTWITHSTANDING the great similarity which to
casual observers exists between the administration
of one Mohammedan state and another, Morocco

Individuality.                                  .,..,,.

possesses nidividuality enough to warrant an
independent study of its methods in this, as in other
departments. It has, however, in common with all
Muslim nations, principles and standards furnished by the
Kor'an and the precedents of early practice. Several of
the Moorish dynasties-—as the first, the Idreesi; the third,
the Maghrawa (Fatimi); the eighth, the Saadi; and the
ninth, the Filali (now reigning) — have been acknow¬
ledged descendants of Mohammed—shareef, or noble, as
they are styled in this country,—and as such have had
a peculiar claim upon the reverence of Muslimin.     This

has afforded them p^round, such as the Turks

The Khalifate.                         ,               .        .          ,     .                          .             ^       .

never boasted, for their assumption of the
khalifate; while others of their dynasties—the fifth (the
most powerful of all), the Muwahhadi; and the sixth, the
Beni Marin-^assumed the khalifate with just as little
right as the rulers of Constantinople. Others, again,
as some ameers of the fourth, the Murabti, line, were
careful to adopt the title of "Ameer el Muslimin,"
"Prince of the Surrendered,'' in place of the more pre¬
tentious designation   of  " Ameer  el   Mu'minin,"  " Prince

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