1907.] TRIPOLI. 195 



Mediterranean from the northern coast of Africa. This pen- 

 insula is one of the most northern points of the continent jut- 

 ting out into the Mediterranean. As one approaches the coast 

 and becomes famiHar with the part which that particular 

 country has played in history it becomes really impressive. A 

 part of it represents the scene of the operations of the con- 

 quering Romans. A part of it the country from which the 

 Moors, who founded the Alhambra and made such an impres- 

 sion on the history of Spain, took their departure. And so I 

 might mention not only Spain and Italy and Malta, but other 

 countries which have played an important part in the history 

 of that particular section, dating clear back to prehistoric times. 

 The sandy soil of the peninsula as one sails along the coast is 

 noticed to be most prolific, especially in raising many kinds of 

 semi-tropical fruit, and other things. I am hoping tonight not 

 to say much about the eclipse or to give you any of the details 

 of our scientific expedition there, but to tell you more about the 

 physical nature, fashions and characteristics of this most in- 

 teresting country. All the way along nearly the whole extent 

 of the African coast one sees views that one hardly expects. 

 The great African mountains stretch along this coast. The 

 Atlas range. Many of its high peaks are covered with snow, 

 and as one travels along you see the beautiful azure of the 

 Mediterranean upon the one side, you breathe the balmy air 

 of that almost tropical region, and also view the mountains. 

 capped with snow off to the south. It is a journey of surpass- 

 ing interest, because you see such constantly changing views 

 and so many unusual places. The city itself stands upon a 

 point of land which juts out into the great bay. In approach- 

 ing the town one sees many remarkable tombs, which have been 

 built, and which from recent investigations, even as late as last 

 year, have been proven to have been the tombs of eminent 

 people who were banished from Constantinople for some 

 trouble or for the commitment of some misdemeanor and 

 obliged to remain in that place. So that in its early history 

 it probably was a penal colony. One of them in particular; 

 that I remember, being a woman who begged to be buried, or 

 to have her tomb made in such way that her face would be bent 

 toward her beloved. Another, of a sultana, who was banished, 

 rests in one of these tombs. It is a very beavitiful thing to go 



