T R I 
desert, and its savage inhabitants, called then the Nasamones 
and Lotophagi, the last from the lotus, a species of berry on 
which they subsisted, and still found in abundance on the 
shores of the Syrtes. 
The productions of Tripoli vary exceedingly, according 
to the different quarters of the country. The track along 
the coast produces, in the utmost luxuriance, every article 
peculiar to the finest tropical climates. The exportation of 
corn might be considerable, did not the Tripoline govern¬ 
ment follow the absurd policy of prohibiting it, unless by 
the bashaw, merely for his own profit. The same law ap¬ 
plies to horses and mules, the breed of which is cultivated 
with the greatest care; and though the former be of small 
size, they are very active and serviceable. Bullocks, sheep, 
and poultry, are reared in immense quantities; and animal 
food being little consumed, afford an ample object of ex¬ 
portation. 
The basis of the population in Tripoli consists of a mixed 
race of Moors, Arabs, and Turks. They seldom exceed the 
middle size. The Moors have a very fair complexion ; 
while that of the Arabs is dark and sallow. They are all 
remarkable for regular and athletic forms; and a cripple or 
a deformed person is scarcely to be seen among them. 
From the imperfect notices afforded by travellers, it ap¬ 
pears certain, that this region affords a rich magazine of 
Greek and Roman antiquities. Along the whole coast, and 
in many parts of the interior, are found fine specimens of 
classic architecture. The spots most remarkable in this 
respect that have been hitherto observed, are Ptolometa 
(formerly Ptolemais), and still more Lebida, the Leptis 
Magna of the ancients. The remains of the latter are about 
three miles in length, and two in breadth, and consist of 
gateways, walls, an immense number of pillars, some of the 
very finest granite, and numerous inscribed marbles. 
TRIPOLI, a considerable city, capital of the territory of 
the same name in Northern Africa, is built in a.low situation, 
on a neck of land projecting a short distance into the sea. 
It is of great extent, though a large portion of the space in¬ 
closed within its walls being unoccupied, the population is 
not supposed to exceed 25,000. The caravanseras, mosques, 
houses of the foreign consuls, and of the higher ranks of the 
natives, are mostly buit of stone, and regularly whitewashed 
twice a year. The lower ranks construct their houses of 
earth, small stones, and mortar; the height never exceeds 
one story; and they are built in a square form, with a court 
in the centre, which is generally paved with stone brought 
from Malta. The roofs being flat, serve at once as an agree¬ 
able promenade, and as a receptacle for the rain water, 
which is conveyed by pipes to cisterns constructed below. 
The body of the inhabitants of Tripoli consist of the 
race called Moors, distinguished by recluse Oriental habits, 
and by a bigoted attachment to the Mahometan religion. 
Notwithstanding, however, their contempt for Christians and 
Jews, they do not interrupt them in the free exercise of their 
religion. Reverence for deceased relations forms one of the 
amiable features in the character of the Tripolitans. This is 
shewn by continued periods of lamentation, and regular 
visits paid to their tombs. Their character, however, is not 
generally the subject of praise. Revenge, avarice, treachery, 
and deceit, are described as predominant vices. In their 
intercourse with Christians, particularly, all sort of chicanery 
and low cunning are employed. They do not even possess 
the Mussulman virtue of sobriety; winehouses being public, 
and intoxication as common as in Britain. 
The prince, as usual in Mahometan countries, enjoys an 
authority altogether despotic. He is nominally, indeed, the 
subject of the Porte, from which, at the entrance of his 
reign, he must receive confirmation. The trade of Tripoli 
is chiefly confined to Malta, Tunis, and the Levant. The 
vessels employed in it are mostly Maltese and Ottoman, 
with only a few belonging to Tripoli. The annual caravan 
from Morocco to Mecca, combining commercial with reli¬ 
gious objects, passes through this city. The pilgrims, when 
fatigued, often freight a ship from Tripoli to Alexandria. 
r R I t07 
Caravans also come generally twice a year, bringing all the 
commodities of interior Africa, slaves, gold dust, pearls, ivory, 
ostrich feathers, saffron, drugs, senna, camel’s hair, camels, 
mules, antelopes, &c., which are exchanged for coarse Euro¬ 
pean cloths, a few silks, baracans or cloaks of the country, 
Tunisian caps, powder, muskets (which ought to be very 
light, and have long barrels), pistols, scimitars, hardware, 
glass-beads, toys, Venetian looking-glasses, &c. The traders 
fromBomou and Soudan are described as dealing with a 
simplicity and good faith not to be found among the Moors. 
Lat. 32. 54. N. long. 13. 18. E. 
TRIPOLI, a seaport of Syria, capital of a pachalic of the 
same name. It is situated at the foot of the branches of Le¬ 
banon, and along the edge of a small triangular plain, which 
extends between them and the sea, and terminates in a flat 
promontory, on which is situated the place of anchorage. 
The pachalic of Tripoli contains a great part of the ancient 
Phoenicia, and consists of the declivity of Lebanon, with the 
plain interposed between it and the Mediterranean. It is in 
general well watered, and covered with rich verdure, exhi¬ 
biting extensive groves of mulberry, orange, lemon, and 
other fruit trees. The mountainous districts, inhabited by 
the independent tribes of the Maronites and Ansarians, are 
better cultivated than the plains. Latakia or Ladikieh is 
the only other considerable town, except Tripoli itself. For 
some time past, this pachalic has been generally included 
either under that of Acre, or that of Damascus. Lat. 34. 26. 
N. long. 35. 44. E. 
TRIPOLIZZA, a town of Greece, in the Morea, situated 
in a narrow valley, at the foot of Mount Msenalus; 22 miles 
south-south-west of Argos, and 30 north-north-west of the 
ruins of Sparta. It is said to have been built of the remains 
of several towns. Megalopolis, Tegea, Mantinaea, and Pallan- 
tium, without, however, occupying the site of any of these 
places, which were at a considerable distance from each 
other. Its situation is bleak, the ground which it occupies is 
rugged and uneven, and the general plan of the town ex¬ 
tremely irregular. 
TRI'POLY, s. [I suppose from the place whence it is 
brought.] A sharp cutting sand.—In polishing glass with 
putty, or tripoly, it is not to be imagined that those sub¬ 
stances can by grating and fretting the glass bring all its least 
particles to an accurate polish. Newton. 
TRIPONTARY, a town of the south of India, district of 
Cochin. It is situated on the side of a lake, and is the oc¬ 
casional residence of the Cochin rajah. Lat. 9. 57. N. long. 
76. 20. E. 
TRI'POS, s. A tripod. See Tripod. 
Craz’d fool, who would’st be thought an oracle, 
Come down from off the tripos, and speak plain. Dryden. 
TRIPOSSOOR, a town of the south of India, province of 
the Carnatic ; 30 miles west-by-north from Madras. 
TRIPOTAMIA, or Tripotemi, a small town of Greece, 
in the central part of the Morea, situated in a valley, in a 
fertile and well cultivated country. It is inhabited almost 
exclusively by Greeks, and is 25 miles north-by-west of 
Tripolizza. 
TRI'PPER, s. One who trips. 
TRI'PPING, adj. Quick; nimble. 
The clear sun of the fresh wave largely drew. 
As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink 
From standing lake, to tripping ebb; that stole 
With soft foot tow’rds the deep. Milton. 
TRI'PPING, s. Light dance. 
Back, shepherds, back, enough your play. 
Here be without duck or nod, 
Other trippings to be trod, 
Of lighter toes. Milton. 
TRI'PPINGLY, adv. With agility; with swift motion. 
This ditty after me 
Sing, and dance it trippingly. Shakspeare. 
TRIPSACUM 
