38o TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
The air is rendered unwholefome by much ftagnant water. 
The town is placed on a flight elevation, the length confiderably 
exceeding the breadth. On the higheft ground, to the South, 
is the caftle, formerly poflefl^ed by the Earls of Tripoli ; it is 
large and ilirong. Hence is vifible a part of Mount Libanus, 
the fummit of which is covered with fnow. The gardens in 
the vicinity are rich in mulberry and other fruit trees. The 
city is well built, and moft of the ilreets are paved. 
It is the feat of a Paflia, who at prefent is the fon of Abdallah, 
Pafha of Damafcus. 
Here is found a number of Mohammedan merchants, fome 
of the richeft and moft refpedtable in the empire. Silk is the 
chief article of commerce. Five or fix French merchants efcaped 
hither from Acre *. 
Antiquities I obferved none. The hiftory of Tripoli during 
the crufades muft be known to every reader. The prefent 
population I fhould be inclined to eftimate at about fixteen 
thoufand. 
* The Santcnsy or Mohammedan faults, are ftill permitted to continue their 
excefles. I was informed that one of them, very vigorous in tranfitory amours, 
met the wife of a rich Mohammedan merchant, newly married. The female 
attendant who was with her fled, and he accompliflied his purpofe in the open 
rtreet. The merchant, complaining to the Paftia, only received this anfwer, 
" You ought to efteem yourfelf very happy, for your wife will probably be 
brought to bed of a ivelliy' that is, a faint. 
The 
