TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
37 
We will not pursue the question further ; but will leave our 
readers to judge how far Abrotonum may be placed at Tagiura under 
the circumstances which we have already stated; merely adding, 
that the fertile plains of Tagiura are admirably calculated for the 
position of a town, and that many a pleasant day has been spent 
among their villages and gardens by the European inhabitants of 
Tripoly, who often make parties to visit them. 
We may at the same time contrast the present quiet state of 
Tagiura with that in which it was found by Consul Tully a short 
time before the accession of Sidi Yusuf It was then considered 
necessary, in visiting this place, although during what were called 
tranquil times, that the party of the Consul, amounting to upwards 
of forty, should be increased by the addition of several of the Bashaw’s 
Chaouses ; and it was afterwards reported to His Highness, that he 
had had, notwithstanding this prudent precaution, a very narrow 
and fortunate escape. 
We found the roads to, and through, Tagiura in most places inun- 
dated by the heavy rains which had fallen before the commencement 
of our journey ; a circumstance which, if it did not expedite our 
travelling, had certainly the good effect of rendering it more pleasant, 
by cooling the atmosphere and preventing the sand from flying. 
This was the more fortunate, as the gardens to the eastward of the 
town are bounded by a dreary tract of sandy desert, which we were 
obliged to cross. The approach to it was indicated by numerous 
hillocks of sand accumulated about the date-trees on the outskirts 
of the villages, leaving their heads exposed, at various heights above 
