18 
TRAVELS IN AFKICA. 
Chap. LXX. 
The great feature which distinguishes the market 
of Timbuktu from that of Kauo is the fact, that 
Timbuktu is not at all 
a manufacturing town, 
while the emporium of 
Hdusa fully deserves to be 
classed as such. Almost 
the w^hole life of the city 
is based upon foreign com- 
merce, which, owing to 
the great northerly bend 
of the Niger, finds here 
the most favoured spot for 
intercourse, while at the 
same time that splendid 
river enables the inhabi- 
tants to supply all their 
wants from without ; for 
native corn is not raised 
here in sufficient quan- 
tities to feed even a very 
small proportion of the population, and almost all 
the victuals are imported by water-carriage from San- 
sandi and the neighbourhood. 
The only manufactures carried on in the city, 
as far as fell under my observation, are confined to 
the art of the blacksmith, and to a little leather- 
work. Some of these articles, such as provision or 
luggage bags, cushions, small leather pouches for to- 
bacco, and gun-cloths, especially the leather bags. 
