484 
ADAMS'S NARRATIVE. 
too, and in which he has differed so widely from 
the ideas which preceding travellers had conveyed 
to Europe. . 
In comparing Tombuctoo, as to the ground on 
which it stands, with Lisbon, Adams has given an 
idea of its extent fully equal to what we could have 
anticipated ; for Lisbon is perhaps equal in this re- 
spect to any city of Europe, except London and 
Paris. In regard to its splendour, however, and to 
the state of the arts, it certainly differs very wide- 
ly from what we had been taught to expect. No- 
thing, however, could be more natural than that 
exaggerated reports should be spread respecting a 
city so situated ; and that it should be viewed 
through that false medium in which remote and 
mysterious objects are always enveloped. In fact, 
two of the most prominent features observed by 
Adams, the humble materials of which the houses 
were constructed, and the canoes formed of a single 
tree, correspond exactly with the description of 
Leo Africanus ; and which, as it cannot be sup- 
posed that Adams would draw from that source, 
affords a strong confirmation of the authenticity of 
his narrative. But the most remarkable circum- 
stance which it exhibits is the total absence of 
Moorish influence, and even existence at Tombuc- 
too. Our readers are already aware, that Park re- 
ceived assurances from various quarters, that the 
supreme power there was entirely in the hands of 
