312 THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 
zon, render the scene very interesting. Though 
the capital of an empire, once very powerful, it ex- 
hibits, through all its extent, the traces of a rapid 
decay ; for, though it is only four miles in circum- 
ference, these limits are too great for its present 
population. Through the Tripoline ambassador, 
who had formerly resided in England, he was in- 
troduced to the Bashaw, who eagerly inquired af- 
ter the object of his journey to Fezzan, which, he 
said, no Christian had ever attempted. Mr Lucas 
replied, that it was for the purpose of examining 
various Roman antiquities, which he had heard ex- 
isted in numerous parts of that kingdom, and col- 
lecting medicinal plants not found in Europe ; the 
Bey appeared to be satisfied with this answer, and 
promised him his assistance in his journey. Soon 
after this, Mr Lucas learned that certain tribes 
of tributary Arabs had revolted, and ravaged the 
frontiers of Tripoli ; and that the Bashaw was 
levying an army to reduce them, as soon as the 
grass should be high enough to afford sufficient 
forage for cattle. While Mr Lucas waited, in 
order to accompany this army, two Shereefs, or 
descendants from the Prophet, arrived from Fez- 
zan with slaves, senna, and other articles of mer- 
chandize. As their descent from Maihomet secur- 
ed their persons from violence, and their property 
from plunder, they did not find it necessary to 
wait the restoration of peace 5 but prepared im- 
