142 
and weather, and wanted some rest before they were 
able to proceed on the road to Morocco. Our tents 
required also repair, and our provisions to be renewed. 
I spent my time here paying and receiving visits. 
The visir Sidi Mohamed Salaoui, who was then at Ra- 
bat, made me a present of a handsome hhaik. 
This place has nothing of its ancient maritime splen- 
dor, but three or four captains who are scarcely capa- 
ble of governing a large ship; and if the sultan were to 
arm ships of a large size, he would find it difficult to 
meet with proper men to command them. If, however, 
maritime skill were only to renew their former taste 
for pirating, it is happier for Europe that they never 
think of improving in this art. 
The houses of Rabat are better built and of a supe- 
rior appearance than those of other places, but their 
inside is of the same construction. As the town is situ- 
ated on a hill, the streets are on all ascents and descents, 
which makes walking very uncomfortable. It seems 
that Rabat was intended to become the capital of the 
famous Jacob El-Man$ur*, and for that reason it was 
surrounded with an extensive circuit of walls, with 
towers; this ground is occupied by well furnished kitch- 
en gardens, it also contains the sepulchre of sultan Sidi 
Mohamed, father of the present sultan, deposited in a 
small chapel, which I visited. 
The alcassaba or castle where 1 lodged was situate 
at the western extremity of the town, on the most ele- 
vated spot. I had a large terrace at my disposal, which 
afforded a most magnificent prospect over the sea, river, 
and country. Unfortunately these agreeable objects were 
intercepted by the numerous ruins in this vicinity. 
* El-Mansur signifies' The Victorious; the Europeans have 
made a name of it, which they pronounce Almanzor. (Note of 
Ali-Bei.) 
