Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/291

 Obfer-vations on the Griggirrys of the Mandingos. and I conceive it to be very probable that the Mandingos did ori- ginally receive, and may perhaps even at this time obtain, and be taught to compofe, their Griggirrys by the Arabians, with whom, though very far diftant, they are faid to have frequent intercourfe. The truth of my conjecture, however, refts with your comparing the inclofed piece of manufcript with fome known Arabic cha- racters, or mewing it to fome perfon converfant in the Arabic lan- guage^]. Hoping the inclofed, and what I have faid refpeding it, will prove deferving your notice, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your very refpedful and moft humble Servant, London, Nov. 29, 1797. ELLIOT ARTHY. [a] Dr. Ruflel fays that this paper is written in the Arabic hand ufed in Barbary, and contains the name of God frequently repeated, with the addition of certain unin- telligible characters. Charms of this kind are much ufed by the Mahometans. See RufTel*s Hift. of Aleppo, Vol. II. p. 103. Mr. Park, in his Travels into the interior part of Africa, mentions " certain charms or amulets called Sapphies, which the negroes conftantly wear about them. Thefe Saphies," he adds, " are prayers, or rather fen- tences from the Koran, which the Mahomedan priefts write, and fell to the ficnple na- tives, who conlider them to poflefs very extraordinary virtues." p. 38. S. L. XXIII. Dif-