56 
THE CITY; STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 
which are so well calculated to excite commiseration for 
their fate. 
When I was at the mosque, a middle-aged Moor 
stepped up to me gravely, and without saying a word slipped 
a handful of cowries into the pocket of my coussabe. He 
withdrew immediately, without affording me time to thank 
him. I was much surprised at this delicate way of giving 
alms. 
The city of Timbuctoo forms a sort of triangle, 
measuring about three miles in circuit. The houses are 
large, but not high, consisting entirely of a ground-floor. 
In some, a sort of little closet is constructed above the 
entrance. They are built of bricks of a round form, rolled 
in the hands, and baked in the sun. The walls, except as 
far as regards their height, resemble those of Jenne. 
The streets of Timbuctoo are clean, and sufficiently 
wide to permit three horsemen to pass abreast. Both within 
and without the town there are many straw huts of a circular 
form, like those of the pastoral Foulahs. They serve as dwell- 
ings for the poor, and for the slaves who sell merchandise for 
their masters. 
Timbuctoo contains seven mosques, two of which are 
large ; each is surmounted by a brick tower. 
This mysterious city, which has been an object of 
curiosity for so many ages, and of whose population, civili- 
zation, and trade with the Soudan, such exaggerated notions 
have prevailed, is situated in an immense plain of white 
sand, having no vegetation but stunted trees and shrubs, 
such as the mimosa ferruginea, which grows no higher than 
three or four feet. The city is not closed by any barrier, 
and may be entered on any side. Within the town are 
seen some of the balanitis cegyptiaca, and in the centre is a 
palm tree. 
Timbuctoo may contain at most about ten or twelve 
thousand inhabitants ; all are engaged in trade. The popu- 
