LEO AFRICANUS. 
43 
at Grenada ; but, when that city was besieged 
and taken by Ferdinand, sought refuge in Fez, 
and devoted himself wholly to Arabic literature. 
Partly as a traveller, and partly as an ambassador, 
he traversed a great part of Africa, and compos- 
ed, in Arabic, the description of that continent, 
which still renders his name celebrated. Lastly, 
being taken prisoner, and brought to Rome, he 
attracted the notice of Leo X. who proved him- 
self the patron of every liberal art and science. 
Under the auspices of this pontiff, Leo made a 
translation of his work into Italian, which has 
been reprinted by Ramusio in his Collection of 
Voyages.* Having been an eye-witness to most 
of the scenes which he describes, his work forms 
the only original authority for the state of nor- 
thern and central Africa during the period at 
which he wrote. Where personal observation fail- 
ed, he unfortunately had recourse to very blunder- 
ing and erroneous compilation. The coincidence, 
however, in many respects, of his report with the 
best modern information, leaves no doubt as to its 
original character ^ so that it throws an important 
light, both on the progress of knowledge, and the 
changes in the political aspect of this continent. 
* There is also a Latin translation, and one in English, 
which forms the sixth book in Purchas's collection. 
/ 
