TRAVELS 
FROM 
TRIPOLI TO MOURZOUK. 
CHAPTER I. 
The Author's Departure from Malta — Arrival at Tripoli — Character of Mohammed el 
Mukni, Bey of Fezzan — Equipment of Mr. Ritchie and the Author — Costume of 
the Natives of Tripoli — Character of the Maraboots, and Celebration of their annual 
Festival — The Natives of Tripoli — Their Habits, Customs, &c. — Public Baths — 
Punishments — Costumes of the Women — Tripoline Marriages and Funerals — \ 
Funeral of the Bashaw's Grand-daughter — Resignation of M. Dupont — Journey to , 
the Gharian Mountains and Benioleed, in Company with Mr. Ritchie — General Ap- 
pearance of the Country — Arrival at the Gharian Mountains — Visit to the Sheikh — 
Short Account of the Passes — Roman Tomb — Castle of Gharian — Distressed State 
of Usadena — Account of the People of Gharian — Set out for Benioleed, through the 
gravelly Desert — Arrival at Benioleed — Character of the Inhabitants — Its Popula- 
tion — Description of the Arabs — Their Religion, Manners, Habits, &c. 
IN the month of September, 1818, Mr. Ritchie, a gentleman of 
great science and ability, employed by the British government on 
a mission to the interior of Africa, arrived at Malta from Marseilles, 
attended by M. Dupont, a Frenchman in his pay, whom he had en- 
gaged for the purpose of collecting and preparing objects of natural 
history. It was understood that Captain Marryat, of the Royal 
* Navy, was also to have accompanied Mr. Ritchie ; but that cir- 
cumstances had occurred which induced that gentleman to re- 
B 
