63 
turning to the west extends towards the sea, about two 
miles south of Alcassar. We crossed four ravines not 
very deep. We passed three or four douars of tents 
and huts; of these the largest douar contained about 
twenty. 
We encamped near Alcassar. As it was Friday I 
went into the town to the mosque. It was small and of 
an indifferent appearance, but the principal front was 
decorated with some Arabian designs. 
Alcassar is larger than Tangier. The houses are built 
of bricks, and the roofs have tiles as in Europe; there 
are many shops kept by the Moors, and several work- 
shops by the Jews. The town though rich is of a dull 
and monotonous appearance. Some of the inhabitants 
were decently dressed, and the women wear stockings; 
they are always covered with a veil in the streets as at 
Tangier. 
The day was foggy and extremely hot. 
At eight in the evening the governor of Alcassar sent 
me a plentiful supper, and added six soldiers to my 
escort. Another person of distinction sent me a second 
supper. 
The sky was too cloudy for astronomical observa- 
tions. 
At half past eight my thermometer, exposed to the 
air, was at 16° 3,* and the hygrometer at 40°. A moment 
afterwards it began to rain; but the indication of the hy- 
grometer proved that the air near the earth was not load- 
ed with humidity. 
A terrible storm, in which the thunder was accom- 
panied with a deluge of rain, lasted all the night. 
* 67' Fahrenheit. 
