•288 
BENGAZI. 
Bashaw’s ships were accustomed to lay, where now only boats can be 
accommodated. 
At present it can only be entered by small vessels, drawing seven 
or eight feet water, and that merely in moderate weather. It is well 
protected from the sea by reefs of rocks, between which the entrance 
is so narrow as to render a pilot necessary. 
There seems to be little doubt that the harbour originally com- 
municated at aU times with the lake to the southward of the town, 
as it does at the present day in the rainy season ; but owing to the 
accumulation of sand from the sea, and of alluvial deposite from the 
lake, the communication is now, during the summer months, wholly 
interrupted. At the entrance of the port is the castle of the Bey 
of Bengazi, constructed on the ruins of an ancient building, part of 
which is still visible at the base of the castle next the sea. The 
existing structure is built with small stones and mud, so slightly, 
that when the Adventure made its appearance before it, the Bey 
requested Captain Smyth would dispense with the usual salute, as he 
feared the concussion would otherwise bring down a part of the walls. 
Its form is square, with a round tower at each of three angles ; the 
fourth, which fronts the entrance of the harbour, being occupied by 
a pile of building, appropriated to the harem of his excellency. 
If the gallantry of Mahometans has been doubted or denied, here 
is surely a proof of its existence ; for the angle given up to the 
service of the ladies is almost the only one which could prove of any 
annoyance to vessels entering the harbour ; and, while the three 
turrets mentioned are provided with guns, this angle is left without 
any. The fair inhabitants of the harem are in consequence favoured 
