Smu(/(/lin(/. 41 



opposite coast of Africa. The lighthouse of this little 

 promontory has been lately furnished with a Fresnel apparatus, 

 throwing out a most intense light, which is visible at a 

 greater distance than any other observed during our voyage. 

 This place, which is used by the Spaniards as a penal 

 settlement, numbers 6500 inhabitants, and has a very 

 indifferent harbour. The "rock people" also occasionally 

 make excursions to Tangier, the most westerly town of the 

 strait, and the most important as regards the commerce of 

 Morocco. 



A great number of steamers on their various routes touch 

 at Gibraltar, for discharging and embarking freight and pass- 

 engers, and to coal. The quantity of the latter thus shipped is 

 estimated at 30,000 tons annually, all imported from England. 

 There is also a regular correspondence by sailing vessels with 

 all the leading Italian ports, and those of the Levant, as well 

 as with Constantinople, Corfu, and Trieste. 



Gibraltar being a free port, there are no customs' dues, 

 except those on wines and spirits. All flags enjoy equal 

 privileges, and in all disputes the English law decides. It is 

 impossible to obtain a satisfactory statement of the amount 

 of imports and exports, as no Custom-house exists, and the 

 official reports merely give the number and nationality of 

 the flags of the ships that arrive and depart. Smuggling is 

 carried on to a great extent, and, being a lucrative trade, will 

 continue to be so, as long as Spain retains her prohibitory 

 duties on English goods. 



