Chap. LXIX. 
CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 
5L7 
half a weight of sugar, equal to six pounds and a 
quarter, with a corresponding quantity of tea (viz. 
half a pound), for three dollars ; for, as I have said 
before, there had been no sugar previously in the 
market. Even when there is plenty, neither tea 
nor sugar can be bought separately. These articles 
must be bought together. It is remarkable that a 
similar custom is still prevalent in many parts of 
Europe, and even in this country. 
The arrival of these Tajakant procured me also 
the luxury of a couple of pomegranates, which had 
been brought by them from the Gharb, and which 
gave me an opportunity of expostulating with the 
Sheikh on the disgraceful circumstance, that such 
fruits as these are now only procurable from the 
north, while this country itself might produce them 
quite as well, and had in reality done so in former 
times. Even limes are not at present grown here- 
abouts, and it was only from Jenni that I had ob- 
tained some days previously a few specimens of this 
delicious kind of fruit, which grows in such plenty 
in Kano, and which might be raised in almost any 
part of this region. Thus closed the year 1853, 
leaving me in a most unsettled position in this desert 
place. 
L L 3 
