MOR Popu states, in Moravia, on the Hanna. lation 1000. 21 miles S. of Olmutz. MORLAAS, a town in the south-west of France, department of the Lower Pyrenees. Population 1700. 7 miles E. N. E. of Pau. MORLACHIA, a district belonging partly to Turkey, and partly to Austria. It lies between Dalmatia and Croatia, and forms It is about 100 part of these provinces. miles in length, and 25 in breadth, and seems not at any period of its history to have formed an independent, or even a distinct province. It takes its name from its inhabitants, an uncivilised tribe, who call themselves Vlassi or Moro-Vlassi, i. e. Wallachians on the sea-coast. They are described under Dalmatia. MORLAIX, a considerable town in the north-west of France, in Brittany, department of Finisterre. It is situated about five miles from the sea, on the small river Morlaix, which forms a harbour, and by which coasters, or other small vessels of 100 tons, can come up to the town at high water. Larger vessels find a safe anchorage in the spacious bay at the mouth of the river, where there is a fort (Fort Taureau), and a small town called Viniec, commonly conMorlaix is sidered a suburb of Morlaix. well built, and has two large and handsome streets. On the bank of the river, from the town downwards, there is a fine quay, bordered with good houses, along which there extends a row of piazzas, forming an agreeable covered walk, called La Lance, and serving like an exchange for the meeting of merchants. The only public buildings are the churches and an hospital. The trade of Morlaix, though not great, embraces a great diversity of articles; cattle, flax, hemp, and linen. Its manufactures are also various, comprising tobacco, paper, leather, and linen. This place was appropriated to the reception of flags of truce from England in 1810, and other years during the late war with France. It was the birthplace of the Population celebrated general_Moreau, 10,000. 34 miles E. N. E. of Brest. Long. 3. 45. W. Lat. 48. 34. N. MORLANCOURT, a village in the north of MORLANE, a town in the south-west of MORLANS, a town in the south-west of MORLE, UPPER, a town of the west of Germany, in Hessc-Darmstadt, principality of Upper Hesse, bailiwic of Vilbel. It VOL. IV. PART I. contains 1500 inhabitants, and the neigh- MORLEY, a township of England, West MORMANT, a town in the north of France, department of the Seine and Marne, with 1000 inhabitants. 6 miles E. N. E. of Melum. MORMOIRON, a town in the south of France, department of the Vaucluse, on 6 miles E. the Auzon. Population 1600. of Carpentras, and 22 N. E. of Avignon. MORNAC, a town in the west of France, department of the Charente Inferieure, on the Seudre. Population 1500. MORNAIX, a small town of the Sardinian states, in Savoy, duchy of Genevois, on the river Arve. MORNANT, a town in the east of France, department of the Rhone, on the river Mornancet. It has 2000 inhabitants, and manufactures of hats and coarse woollens. 10 miles S. S. W. of Lyons, and 16 N. E. of St Etienne. MORNAS, a town in the south of France, department of the Vaucluse, with 1500 inhabitants. On an adjacent hill are the ruins of a castle. 9 miles N. N. W. of Orange. MORNE AU DIABLE, a cape on the west coast of Hispaniola. Long. 72. 47. W. Lat. 19. 12. N. MORNE LE GROS, a settlement of the island of Hispaniola, on the north coast, 25 miles S. E. of Port Paix. MORNE PAGGUA, a cape on the east coast of Dominica. Long. 61. 19. W. Lat. 15. 39. N. MORNE ROUGE, a settlement on the north coast of the island of Hispaniola, 7 miles S. S. W. of Cape Rouge. MORNINGTON ISLE, an island on the north coast of New Holland, at the head of the gulf of Carpentaria, and one of the group which captain Flinders calls Wellesley's islands. It is 35 miles long, and 90 in circumference, not including the sinuosities of the coast. The surface appeared to be rocky, with some portion of vegetable soil, which produced bushes and trees. It is inhabited; though nothing is known of the natives. Long. of Cape Van Diemen, its eastern point, 139. 49. E. Lat. 16. 32. S. 1 MOROCCO, a large kingdom, situated at the north-western extremity of Africa, the most important of the states comprehended under the general name of Barbary. It is very difficult to fix its limits. It is separated into two parts by the great chain of Atlas, which entirely traverses it, first from east to west, and then from north to south, leaving between itself and the sea a plain of from 50 to 100 miles in breadth. The plain, the length of which may form an oblique line of 400 or 500 miles, comprises all the fertile and populous part of Morocco. The other division consists of the territory beyond Atlas, composed of the provinces of Darah, Tafilelt, and Sigilmessa, which, at first fertile in dates and wool, pass gradually into the Sahara, whose rude tribes, in proportion to their distance, set the authority of the emperor more and more at defiance. The boundaries of the empire are, on the north the Mediterranean, on the west the Atlantic; Algiers forms a small part of its eastern frontier; while on all other sides it is lost in the wide expanse of the Sahara. This country, under the name of Mauritania, was anciently occupied by a hardy Nomadic race, who were never thoroughly subdued by the Romans, but harassed them often by incursions of irregular cavalry. At a subsequent period it yielded to the arms of the Saracens, whose different dynasties disputed its possession with each other. At length a re-action took place, from the vast deserts to the south and east. In the eleventh century, a chief of Lemptuna assumed the character of a reformer of the Mahometan religion, and acquired so high a reputation of sanctity, that all the neighbouring tribes flocked to his standard. His followers, under the appellation of Almoravides, not only conquered Morocco, but extended their dominion over Barbary, and even over Spain, thus establishing a great empire, entitled that of Mogreb, or the West. In the following century, they were supplanted by a new sectarian dynasty, called the Almohades, who had soon other rivals to combat. At length, in 1547, an Arabian chief of the race of Scheriffes, or descendants of Mahomet, ascended the throne, which his posterity have ever since continued to occupy. Morocco is perhaps the most complete, as well as the most barbarous and brutal despotism on the face of the earth. There are not here, as in Turkey, an ulema, the depositary of the national religion, or a mufti, the head of the law, who possess privileges independent of the sovereign, and can interfere to check his determinations. There is not even a council or divan whom he is expected to consult. All is done by the single command of the sovereign, and no subject is supposed to have either life or property but at his disposal. He has not even a regular body of ministers, being judged to do all things himself, and merely orders one person to do this, and another that, according to the caprice of the moment. The Moorish monarchs even consider adherence to their engagements as an unlawful check on their power. "Takest thou me for an infidel," said one of them to a foreigner, "that I must be the slave of my word." There are certain rights, however, which even the despot is obliged to respect. He cannot safely invade the domestic privacy of his subjects, nor shock any of those customs to which long establishment has given the force of law. He is expected also to give public audience four times a week, where he administers justice to all, even the poorest. Yet prudent persons usually think it more eligible to acquiesce in the sentence of the cadi, than to afford to the emperor any insight into their private affairs, of which he might make a use very detrimental to themselves. On these occasions, the monarch appears on horseback, with an umbrella held over his head. Although, in not being connected with, or controlled by any public bodies, the em perors enjoy the fullest exercise of authority, their throne is thereby rendered much more insecure, having no class of men who are interested in its support. It is continually liable to be overthrown by treason, revolt, or disputed succession. Hence probably arose that jealous and ferocious character which has always distinguished it beyond any modern state. Muley Ismael in particular may be said to have revelled in human blood. That monarch also introduced the system of employing negro mercenaries, on whose fidelity he could more fully rely. This system has been followed and extended by his successors, and the present number is said to amount to 24,000. Besides these, there are 12,000 Moors, who consist chiefly of cavalry. They are good horsemen, can endure hunger, thirst, fatigue, and every inconvenience. They might therefore make excellent soldiers if they were properly manoeuvred and exercised; but they are ignorant of every part of discipline except submission to their superiors. Their standard is the commentary upon the Khoran, by Sadi Baccari, the favourite imperial saint, whose book is deposited under a tent in the centre of the army, and is the signal by which they rally. A late traveller estimates the revenues at only a million of piastres; but this is independent of extortions and confiscations, which yield probably a greater amount. Travellers are very ill agreed as to the population of this great empire. Mr Jackson gives indeed the following enumeration, which he states to be derived from official documents in the imperial registers. City of Morocco........ Fez........... Other cities............... Carry forward, .......270,000 $80,000 .110,000 ...235,000 995,000 Brought forward, Province of Erreef.... El Garb.... Benihassen.. Tedla........ Fez.......... Morocco............. Haha........ Draha..... Suse...... Tafilelt...... ...... 995,000 more effectual securities than even the bolts ...200,000 and bars used in cities. The rocks and ...200,000 secluded vallies of the Atlas, are inhabited ....300,000 by the Brebers and Shelluhs, native tribes, .450,000 whose habits seem to have continued un1,280,000 altered from very early antiquity. They Duquella.................. 966,000 have never been fully subjected to the Moor Temsena and Shawia..1,160;000 ish government, break often out into rebelAbda......... .500,000 lion, and have carried their arms even to the Shedma 550,000 gates of Morocco. Their internal govern..1,250,000 ment has even somewhat of a republican .708,000 form, and they are well trained to the use of .....350,000 arms. The Jews are very numerous, parti ..2,427,000 cularly in the cities, and by dint of exclusive 650,000 qualification, carry on all the mercantile and ...3,000,000 money transactions. Every species of oppression and contempt, however, is heaped upon this devoted race. They are not allowed to mount on horseback, nor even to sit before a Moor with their legs crossed. The meanest Moors insult or maltreat them in the streets, or even enter their synagogues for the purpose. They are not allowed to read or write Arabic, which, as the language of the Koran, is considered too holy for them. A more serious evil is, that when the emperor, or men in power, happen to be in want of money, they hesi tate not to relieve their difficulty by stripping the Jews of large portions of their wealth, however carefully it may be concealed. Catholic convents are also permitted to exist, though liable to considerable vexations, at Morocco, Mogodor, Tangier, and Mequinez. 14,986,000 These numbers, though they may give the relative proportion of the different provinces, are in the aggregate very much beyond the estimate of any other traveller. Both Chenier and Hoest conceive, that the number cannot exceed five or six millions. In particular, the city of Morocco, here estimated at 270,000, cannot, they suppose, contain more than 30,000. From these and other circumstances, it may be doubted whether these archives are not referable to some former period, when the empire was in a more flourishing state. The basis of this population is formed of what are called Moors, consisting of the original people, now mixed and coalesced with their Arab conquerors, and with the tribes who have at various times poured in from the African deserts. To these is added a considerable number of the Moors, who once reigned over Spain, but who were expelled, first by conquest, and then by a system of barbarous persecution. All these, however, are moulded nearly into one, by the strict and uniform character of Mahometan obscrvances. The cities present the same gloomy aspect as in all Moorish states; that of strict seclusion, particularly of the female sex; habits of gravity and silence among the men, who meet only in the public coffee houses; high national pride and contempt for all other people, not combined with any sentiments of individual honour. In the country, the habits of life are entirely different. There the people live chiefly in douars or moveable villages, composed of tents, which, whenever the spot on which they are placed is exhausted, they strike, and placing their effects and children upon panniers on the backs of camels, move in search of a more productive quarter. The women are not confined; but being subjected to hard labour, tanned by the sun, and sometimes even yoked in the plough with domestic animals, these habits of hardihood, with the loss of all traces of beauty, prove The grand physical characteristic of this country is the mighty chain of the Atlas, by which its whole extent is traversed. Its summit being covered with perpetual snow, cannot beestimated at less than 13,000 feet above the level of the sea. It contains mines of iron, tin, and particularly of copper; but little use is made of these mineral riches. Antimony is more carefully worked, being a substance extensively used in oriental cosmetics. Mineral salt occurs throughout the empire in the greatest abundance; and, besides home consumption, makes a copious article of export to Soudan. The numerous streams which pour down from this range of hills, render the plain between them and the sea exuberantly fertile. Grain is produced much more than sufficient for its own consumption; and Morocco was wont to be a granary of Spain, till the reigning emperor, willing to content his subjects by a cheap supply of food, prohibited its exportation, and thereby aimed a deadly blow at the prosperity of his states. Wool is also very plentiful, and, though it be generally coarse, that of Tedla is said to be as fine and glossy as silk. Its exportation had begun to take place to a considerable extent, till it was prohibited on the same principle. The goats of Tafilelt afford another very valuable commodity, their skins composing that leather which, under the name of Morocco, is so distinguished for its softness, pliancy, and beauty. It seems not ascertained how far these excellencies depend upon original quality, or upon the mode of tanning, which is kept a profound secret. Ostriches are numerous on the borders of the southern desert, and their feathers form a valuable article. Fruits abound; but Morocco is chiefly distinguished for almonds, vast quantities of which grow in the province of Suse, and dates, for which Tafilelt is more famous than any other known district. The best species, however, cannot be kept a sufficient time for exportation. The commerce of Morocco with Europe is almost wholly carried on from the port of Mogodor, under which head some account of it will be found. The inland trade consists chiefly of that carried on across the Great Desert, to Soudan and Tombuctoo. This is managed by large caravans, which assemble on the southern frontier, chiefly at Akka and Tatta. The articles sent into Soudan are salt, cloths, toys, and various species of European goods; the returns for which are in gold, gums, ivory, and slaves. Under the head of Africa will be found farther particulars of this commercial intercourse, so characteristic of the African continent. MOROCCO, called by the natives MARAKASCH, a city of the above empire, which, being the most usual residence of the sovereign, is considered the capital, though in magnitude and population it does not equal Fez. It was founded in the 424th year of the Hegira, which corresponds to 1052 A.D. In the following century, under the reign of Ali Ben Yusuf, it was in its highest prosperity, and has been represented as containing a population of not less than a million. This is probably very much exaggerated; but the circuit of its walls appears still calculated for at least 300,000. Itis now much depopulated, and covered with the accumulated ruins of houses and gardens; nor is the population estimated by the most intelligent travellers at more than 30,000; among these there are said to be two thousand Jewish families. It still retains vestiges, however, of its former grandeur. The temples, sanctuaries, and mosques, are very numerous; and some of the latter particularly lofty and splendid. One of them has on the top three golden balls, weighing altogether 10 quintals, or 1205 lbs. avoirdupois. There are also three gardens, with splendid pavilions, in one of which the emperor allows foreign merchants visiting him to pitch their tents. The palace is of hewn stone, ornamented with marble. The Kusseria, or department for trade, is an oblong building, surrounded with small shops, which are filled with every species of valuable commodity. Men of opulence sometimes hire one of these shops, merely to amuse themselves with conversation, and with the passing events. The air is clear and healthy, and the city is abundantly supplied with water, that of the river Tensift, which flows at a short distance, being peculiarly excellent. A subterraneous aqueduct goes round the town, but is now much out of repair. The inha bitants are far from being distinguished for cleanliness; the streets are filled with the ruins of decayed houses and buildings; and the habitations, being old, swarin with vermin. The walls are in good repair, having been strengthened, previous to the siege, by Muley Yezid, in 1792. Long. 7. W. Lat. 30.57. N. MOROKINNE, OF MOROTINNEK, one of the small Sandwich islands, between the southwest coast of Mowee, and the island of Tahoorowa. Long. 233. 31. E. Lat. 20. 37. N. MORON, a small town in the south-west of Spain, province of Seville, with a castle on an eminence. It stands on a fine plain, and has a trade in wool, the sheep of the neighbouring pasturages having long been of a good breed. 33 miles E. S. E. of Seville, and 65 S. by W. of Cordova. MORON, a parish of the province and government of Buenos Ayres, 20 miles S. W. of Buenos Ayres. Long. 50. 54. W. Lat. 34. 40. S. MORON, a river of Quito, in the province of Cuença, which runs south-east, and enters the Amazons. MORONA, a large river of Quito, which has its rise in the province of Alausi to the east; and after receiving a variety of tributary streams, enters the Amazons with a large stream, 41 miles S. by E. of San Borja, between the rivers Pastaza to the east, and Santiago to the west, in Lat. 4. 38. 30. S. MOROSQUILLO BAY is to the southward of Carthagena, on the coast of the Spanish Maine, and in the bight of the coast coming out of Darien gulf, on the eastern shore. MOROTOI, OF MOROKOI, one of the Sandwich islands, in the Pacific ocean. The number of inhabitants is estimated at 36,000. Long. 185. E. Lat. 21. 10. N. MOROUNDAVA, a port on the western coast of Madagascar, where some trade is carried on, and refreshments may be procured. Being exposed to all winds, however, it is not much visited by Europeans. Lat. 20. 16. S. Mozozzo, a small town in the north of Italy, in Piedmont, 12 miles N. E. of Coni. MORPETH, a borough and market town of England, in the county of Northumberland, distant nine miles from the sea. It is beautifully situated in a healthy and sheltered vale, abounding with springs of clear water, on the north bank of the river Wansbeck, which is here crossed by an ancient bridge of two arches. It is surrounded by steep hills, adorned with wood, and is a neat well built town, consisting principally of two spacious streets, in a north and east direction; in the centre of which is a wide square, where the market-house is placed; a convenient, though small build ing, supported by eight stone arches. On the south side stands the town-hall, a handsome structure of hewn stone, decorated with two turrets, and having underneath a large piazza, inclosed by an iron palisade. It was built from a design by Vanbrugh, in 1714, at the expence of the earl of Carlisle. Near it to the west, is a square stone tower, in which is a good ring of bells, and a large clock. Not far from the bridge is the county jail, built of stone. Adjoining the bridge is a modern built chapel of stone, belonging to the established church, and an ancient school-house (formerly part of a chauntry), for a free grammar-school, founded by Edward VI. Besides the parish church (to which the chapel just mentioned is subsidiary), there is one Catholic chapel, one Presbyterian, and one Methodist meeting-house, belonging to the members of the Wesleyan connection. There is a provident bank for the savings of the industrious; and a dispensary. The borough of Morpeth is governed by two bailiffs chosen annually; and sends to parliament two members, elected by above 200 free burgesses. Morpeth has a very large market, on Wednesday, for cattle, 150 head of which, and 2000 sheep and lambs, are on an average sold on those days; and from that market the inhabitants of Newcastle, Sunderland, and Shields, are principally supplied. It has also a good fish-market. On a hill ris ing almost immediately on the south bank of the river, and commanding a fine view of the town and adjoining scenery, are the ruins of the baronial castle, formerly the residence of the lords Merlay. They consist of one gateway tower, with part of two speculating turrets; and the outward wall, which inclosed the area and interior buildings. Near this tower, towards the northeast, is a round mound of earth, on a natural mount, the height of which is greatly increased by art. To the south, and about a quarter of a mile from the town, stands the parish church, on the west side of the post-road. It is a plain Gothic building, having a low square tower at the west end. The chancel window to the east is large, and of a handsome shape, formerly of painted glass throughout. On the east side of the road is the rectory-house, a neat modern building. There are two statute fairs at Morpeth, on the Wednesday and Thursday se'ennight before Whitsunday, and on the Wednesday before July 22d. There is another considerable fair on the Wednesday next, before St Martin's day; and there are races on Cottingwood common, immediately north of the town, early in September in every year. Morpeth contained 507 houses, and 3520 inhabitants, according to the census taken in 1811. Of these, 101 families were employed in agriculture, and 578 in trade. 14 miles N. from Newcastle-on-Tyne, and 292 N. by W. from London. Long. 1. 40. W. Lat. 55. 10. N. MORRA, a town of Italy, in the central part of the kingdom of Naples, in the Principato Ultra. Population 3300. 30 miles S. E. of Benevento, and 55 E. by N. of Naples. MORRIS, a county of the United States, in New Jersey, bounded north by Bergen county, east by Essex county, south by Somerset and Hunterdon counties, and north-west by Sussex county. The east part of the county is level, and affords fine meadows and land for Indian corn. The west part is more mountainous, and produces crops of wheat. Population 21,828. Chief town, Morristown. MORRIS, three townships of the United States, in Pennsylvania; one in Huntingdon county. Population 533.-Another in Washington county. Population 1679.A third in Greene county. Population 944. MORRIS'S BAY, a bay on the west coast of the island of Antigua. MORRIS'S FLATS, a post village of the United States, in Maddison county, New York. MORRISTOWN, a town of the United States, and capital of Morris county, New Jersey. It is a pleasant and flourishing village, containing a court-house, jail, two churches, &c. 28 miles W. N. W. of New York. Population 3753. MORRISTOWN, a township of the United States, in Belmont county, Ohio.-2d, A township and capital of Buncombe county, North Carolina.-3d, A township of Orleans county, Vermont, 24 miles N. of Montpellier. Population 550. MORRISVILLE, a village of the United States, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the Delaware. Population 260.— Also a post village of Fauquier county, Virginia. |