BENGAZI. 
299 
who knew him : he soon made us acquainted with the principal 
people of the town, from whom we collected what little information 
they could alford us, respecting the country, and the several objects 
of our mission*. We were informed that Bengazi contained about 
two thousand inhabitants, a large proportion of which were Jews 
and negro slaves ; but the number of persons residing in the town is 
continually varying, owing to the circumstance of many persons 
» 
removing to the country, whenever the weather permits, where they 
establish themselves in tents, or in huts made of palm-branches and 
dhurra-stalks f . The Jews of Bengazi are a persecuted race, but 
uniformly steady in their pursuit after riches : as is usually the case 
in Mahometan countries, they are (with the few exceptions we shall 
presently mention) the principal merchants and tradesmen of the 
place ; and their well-directed and unremitted industry alone enables 
them to meet the heavy exactions which are made upon their purses 
and property by the adherents to the religion of the Prophet. Their 
houses are generally cleaner and better furnished than those of most 
of the Mahometans, and we never entered any of them without 
finding the whole family employed in some useful occupation. 
We found them invariably civil and obliging, and apparently 
contented with their condition ; which proves how much habit will 
* The Shekh el Belad Mahommed was nearly related to Shekh Belcazi, from whom 
we had received so much civility at Mesurata — he had two brothers also in Bengazi, both 
of whom were shekhs and merchants. 
t Signor Della Celia has mentioned five thousand as the number of inhabitants in 
Bengazi ; but this statement appears to be overrated, as well as that of the number of 
Jews residing in tlie town, which, he tells us, amounts to half the population. 
2 Q 2 
