the society of the other inhabitants, and nobody visits 
them. 
The chain of mount Atlas is to be discovered from 
Morocco; there is a continual snow on the fourth part 
of their height. I compute their highest point to be 
about 13,200 feet above the level of the sea. I made 
this calculation without any trigonometrical operations, 
by which I should have frightened the barbarians who 
were about me; and I therefore preferred sacrificing the 
exact calculation, like many other things, in favour of 
the pursuit of my great project. This chain passes ob- 
liquely before Morocco, directing from S. W. to N. E., 
but the most immediate part of it is south of this city, 
and not twelve miles from it; and continuing to the in- 
terior part of Africa, it inclines towards the east, and 
passes south of Algiers and Tunis, to the vicinity of 
Tripoli. We shall have to speak of this chain of moun- 
tains hereafter, and to consider it in other points of view. 
The provisions are still cheaper at Morocco than at 
Tangier. This unfortunate town, partly destroyed by 
wars and partly by the plague, is without any trade. 
Arts and sciences are entirely out of the question, as 
there is hardly a school of any note. It would be im- 
possible to believe such an astonishing and rapid de- 
cline, if it were not proved by its large walls, its im- 
mense masses of ruins, the great number of conduits 
become useless, and its vast church-yards. 
The Alcaissera of Morocco is not to be compared 
to that of Fez; but the Arabs from the neighbouring 
mountains come there to make their purchases, by 
which this market has some activity. 
