“890 
times ifs population :* there are a 
great number of houses, multitudes of 
negroes, and much gold, (bezzeif dare, 
bezzeif negros, bezzeif oro.)t 
“Sidy Mohammed, after having ex- 
perienced the greatest fatigue in his 
journey through the desert, arrived on 
the fortieth day after his departure 
from Ouadnoun in the city of Taudeny, 
inhabited by a population consisting of 
Arabs and negroes. After remaining 
there some time with the carayan, he 
continued his route; and, in fifteen 
days, was within sight of Timectou. 
Only four days before arriving at the 
end of his journey, Sidy Mohammed 
quitted the desert, and entered into a 
cultivated country. Although he ex- 
pected to see a considerable city, the 
first appearance of Timectou caused 
him the greatest surprise, and much 
surpassed his expectations. The ex- 
tent of ground occupied by the city, 
which is situated in the middle of a vast 
plain, struck him with astonishment. 
The walls surrounding it recalled to 
his mind those of Tarodant, which they 
greatly resemble. 
“The gates of the cily were shut 
when the caravan arrived. As soonas 
it was perceived, a negro, who was 
stationed in a tower above the gate 
where the caravan stopped, fired off a 
musket, A few minutes afterwards 
this gate was opened, and a hundred 
negro soldiers, armed with bows and 
arrows, poniards and guns, advanced 
towards the caravan. The chief who 
commanded them ordered the camels 
to halt, and assigned to the travellers 
the site they were to occupy. 
“This site had been already indicated 
by agreat number of small shops built 
with clay, similar to those which are 
seen inthe market of Ouadnoun. Itis 
in this place, at a little distance from 
the walls, that the caravans destined 
for Timectou always stop. The Moors, 
who form part of them, have not per- 
mission to enter into the city until 
some days after their arrival. The 
first exchanges of merchandize must 
previously be made with the inha- 
bitants. 
“The day that Sidy Mohammed ar- 
Fez amounts to 90,000 inhabitants; but, on 
this point, it is difficult to obtain very ex- 
act data. 
+ Trelate the very words-used by Ha- 
mar to give me an idea of the great impor- 
tance of Timectou. 
Original Account of Timectou. 
{June 1, 
rived under the walls of Timectou, the 
gates of the city had been shut the 
whole day, because the inhabitants 
had been informed of the approach of 
the caravan, and a general féte had 
taken place the same day on account of 
the marriage of the king. From the 
place where Sidy Mohammed was en- 
camped, he perfectly heard the joyful 
shouts, the singing of the inhabitants, 
and the sounds of various musical in- 
struments. 
“The next day, at the moment of the 
opening of the gates, he saw a crowd 
of inhabitants sally forth. They 
brought merchandize to be exchanged 
for those of the caravan; and, in order 
to make these exchanges, the greater 
part entered into small shops destined 
for that purpose. 
“Tobacco was the article which the 
negroes at first sought for with the 
most avidity, and the eagerness which 
they displayed to procure it turned 
greatly to the profit of Sidy Moham- 
med, who had a yery considerable 
quantity. During the first day, he got 
rid of the greatest part of what he had 
brought, and he took in exchange 
nothing but gold-dust and jewels of the 
same metal, which served as orna- 
ments for the negro-women. The 
latter divested themselves of them 
with the utmost alacrity, and without 
appearing to attach any great value to 
them. However, the gold dust was 
measured out very exactly when the 
negroes delivered it. The vessel 
which served for this purpose was also 
in gold. 
““Itwas not until the seventh day after 
his arrival that Sidy Mohammed ob- 
tained permission to enter the city, 
and to establish himself in a quarter in- 
habited by the Moors. Those who 
were at that time in Timectou were not 
very numerous, but many of them had 
resided there for a long time; and, of 
these, a dozen were empowered to 
watch over the interests of Sidy 
Tschem. 
“* At the moment the merchant of 
Rabat passed the gate, he was dis- 
armed of his musket and poniard, 
which were promised to be restored 
to him on his departure. The autho- 
rities will not suffer the Moors to be 
armed in the interior of the city, but 
they may freely perambulate it until 
sun-set. Then they are obliged to re- 
turn to their quarters, which are sur- 
rounded by a wall, haying only one 
gate, 
