436 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXVI. 
latter by means of the Sheikh el Bakay. Such is 
the distracted state of this town, which cannot be 
remedied before a strong and intelligent power is 
again established on this upper course of the Niger, 
so eminently favourable for commerce. 
After these general remarks on the character of the 
history of Songhay, I proceed to give a diary of my 
stay in Timbuktu. 
