Morocco

by Bensusan

Painted by A. S. FORREST

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1904

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More books by this author: http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/...




painted by A.S. FORREST

IN DJEDIDA

"As I have felt, so I have written."

- Eōthen.

Opening: CHAPTER I
BY CAPE SPARTEL
Over the meadows that blossom and wither Rings but the note of a sea-bird's song, Only the sun and the rain come hither All year long.
The Deserted Garden.

Before us the Atlantic rolls to the verge of the "tideless, dolorous inland sea." In the little bay lying between Morocco's solitary lighthouse and the famous Caves of Spartel, the waters shine in colours that recall in turn the emerald, the sapphire, and the opal. There is just enough breeze to raise a fine spray as the baby waves reach the rocks, and to fill the sails of one or two tiny vessels speeding toward the coast of Spain. There is just enough sun to warm the water in the pools to a point that makes bathing the most desirable mid-day pastime, and over land and sea a solemn sense of peace is brooding. From where the tents are set no other human habitation is in sight. A great spur of rock, with the green and scarlet of cactus sprawling over it at will, shuts off lighthouse and telegraph station, while the towering hills above hide the village of Mediunah, whence our supplies are brought each day at dawn and sun-setting.

THE COURT-YARD OF THE LIGHTHOUSE, CAPE SPARTEL

Opening: CHAPTER II: FROM TANGIER TO DJEDIDA

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote 
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote 
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages.

The Canterbury Tales.

A PATRIARCH

6* Art
2* Prose

[astried · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a parting book to Morocco. Bensusan was saying good bye to the old Morocco that he knew and loved before it's going to be swallowed by Western culture and made to be as any other place in the world. His writing sometimes boring, sometimes soothing, most of the time with some understanding of the natives, rarely annoyingly self righteous; but always always with this regret that travel will not be as it was, that he'll never be able to approach Marrakesch as slowly and as poetically as he did, that the people will change from this proud Moor into mix-up halfway Westerner, that the railway can't be held back too long and the first representative of Thomas Cook will soon make travel easier with the comfort as you know it at home.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a look at Morocco more than 100 years ago as seen by a foreign visitor who carries his own ideas and prejudices with him into his tale. It provides a look at the country and its people as they appeared to outsiders. Surprisingly, some of the insights into customs and political problems are quite perceptive and informative. The book is most likely to appeal to historians or those with a serious interest in history. I found it to be an interesting book if you keep in mind it was written long ago and reflects the values and mores of the period.

[david schwartzman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical travelogue. Well documented and objectively recorded.

A pleasant reference for those interested in Moroccan culture.
Pleasurable reading for those who want to know more about local cultur.