MERGE TO GYRENE. 
473 
than be deprived of the pleasure of seeing and admiring so large a 
portion of this valuable fluid, and of enjoying the consciousness that, 
at least once a year, they have more of it than they know what to do 
with. 
The water which flows from the spring we have mentioned above 
was conveyed through the streets (as the people informed us) by one 
of their former Beys, a native of Egypt, who is said to have expended 
a considerable sum of money in beautifying and improving the place, 
and to have erected a large and handsome mosque which stands in 
the centre of the town. 
The streets of Derna are for the most part narrow and irregular, 
and not without that quantity of rubbish and dirt which may be sup- 
posed indispensable to Arab towns and tastes ; but the luxuriance of 
its gardens and groves are however quite sufficient to balance these 
objections ; and the abundance of grapes which overhang the walls 
and houses, the terraces, covered walks, and every part of the town, 
give it a highly pleasing and picturesque appearance. 
On the eastern bank of the ravine is the principal burying-ground 
of the place, distinguished in particular by a lofty and handsome 
tomb raised on four arches, under which the body is placed, with its 
usual simple covering of snow-white cement, and the stone carved 
turban at its head. The town is undefended both by sea and 
land, and may at any time be destroyed by no greater force than 
could be brought to bear against it by a brig of war. Upon a hill at 
the back of it are the remains of a castle built some years ago by the 
Americans ; but the guns are now thrown down, and the castle itself 
