THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 305 
have less similarity to the Arabs than to the ne- 
groes, whom they resemble, not only in their dark 
swarthy colour, but in the protuberance of the 
lips, the depression of the nose, and in their short 
crisped black hair. Their stature is tall, and their 
form good ; but they neither possess strength nor 
activity. They are represented as a hospitable na- 
tion, by persons of the same religion, which is rigid 
Mahometanism. Their dress is the same with that 
of the Moors. Though the Fezzanese trade, with 
the most adventurous spirit, through all Africa, and 
have some artificers in their towns ; yet the prin- 
cipal occupations of the people are agriculture and 
pasturage. Their diseases are chiefly of the in* 
flammatory and putrid kinds, in curing which they 
place much greater confidence in charms than in 
medical applications. The government is purely 
monarchical, and is only restrained by the influence 
of opinion, which, among rude nations, constitutes 
a feeble barrier to injustice. The royal family is 
descended from that of Taphilet, by whom Fezzan 
was conquered about 400 years ago. From that 
period to the middle of the last century, tins 
kingdom maintained its independence, when it was 
conquered by the Basha of Tripoli, and forced to 
pay an annual tribute of 50 slaves and 10 lbs. of 
gold dust. The Tripolitan Basha still speaks of 
his kingdom of Fezzan, but the annual tribute ha? 
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