After they have made some progress in the Koran, which is the principal book used in their seminaries, they are initiated in the several ceremonies of their religion. These acquirements, which may be attained by all, are seldom exceeded by any, even by those who devote their lives to contemplation. The erudition of the Mussulmans is confined to some enthusiastic commentaries upon the sacred text, the outlines of a very inaccurate geography, and memoirs of recent times; for such histories as are older than their own era present nothing but a compound of distorted facts and extravagant romance.

Of navigation, a practical acquaintance with which seems so essential to their prosperity as pirates and merchants, they scarcely know the simplest elements. Their proficiency is limited to the rude art of what is called pricking a chart, and distinguishing the eight principal points of the compass. When Dr Shaw was in the country, the chief astronomer, whose duty it was to regulate the hours of prayer, had not trigonometry enough to project a sun-diak Chemistry, once their favourite study, is now confined to the distillation of rose-water. The names

of Avicenna and Averroes are hardly known. The quadrants, astrolabes, and other instruments left by their ancestors, are looked upon rather as curiosities than prized as useful inventions. Algebra and arithmetic, which owe so much of their advancement to the ancient Arabs, are not familiar, even in their most elementary form, to one person in a thousand among their descendants. The labours of Diophantus and of Albugiani are lost or neglected; and the progeny of the brave and accomplished Saracens seem not aware of the obligations under which Eu

rope stands to them for having preserved the fruits of Egyptian art and Grecian philosophy.

In such unfavourable circumstances, it cannot be expected that any branch of practical knowledge should be properly studied. There are not, indeed, wanting many persons who prescribe in physic, perform upon a variety of musical instruments, and engage in other professions which seem to imply some acquaintance with the mathematical and chemical sciences. Yet, we are assured, such attainments have no foundation in principle, but are entirely the result of practice, aided by great quickness of thought and vigour of memory. The abilities of the people are allowed to be considerable ; their ingenuity and perseverance are equal to the most arduous undertakings; and the philanthropist has not to deplore the absence of any thing except a regular encouragement to industry.

CHAPTER V.

The Cyrenaica and Pentapolis.

Modern Acceptation of the Term Barbary-Desert of Barca-District of Marmarica-Its desolate State-Remains of ancient Improvement Derna-Natural Advantages-Habits of the People -Want of good Harbours-Attempt of Americans to colonize it -Ruins-Opinion of Pacho-Excavations and Grottos-Cyrene -Details by Herodotus-War with Egypt-Successes of the Persians-Form of Government-Cyrene subject to EgyptPersians-Saracens-Present State of the Cyrenaica-MarsaSuza-Ruins-Apollonia-Monuments of Christianity-Tombs -Theatres-Style of Architecture-Amphitheatre-TemplesStadium-Hypogea-Notion of petrified Village-Account by Shaw-Remark by Della Cella-Journey of Captain SmythState of Ghirza-Fountain of Apollo-Description of it—Examined by Captain Beechey-Plain of Merge-Barca-History of -Doubts as to its real Position-Opinion of Della Cella-Ptolemeta or Dolmeita-Fine Situation of the Town-Streets covered with Grass and Shrubs-Extent of the City-Ruins-Theatres -Magnificent Gateway-Supposed of Egyptian Origin-Hypothesis of Della Cella-Disputed by Captain Beechey-Taucra, or ancient Teuchira-Unfavourable as a Seaport-Complete Demolition of its Buildings-Ruins of two Christian Churches-Tombs -Variety of Greek Inscriptions-Mode of Burial - Bengazi, or Berenice-Miserable Condition of the Place-Plague of FliesPopulation-Character of Inhabitants-Gardens of the Hesperides-Glowing Descriptions of them by ancient Writers-Position indicated by Scylax-Labours of Captain Beechey-Conclusion.

It has been already stated that Barbary, according to the modern acceptation of the term, may be viewed as comprehending four great pashaliks or governments; all of which profess to own a subjection, more or less restricted, to the supreme authority of

the Grand Turk. In describing these extensive provinces, which stretch from the borders of Egypt to the shores of the Atlantic, we shall at first proceed from east to west; having in some degree prepared for this arrangement by laying before our readers, in a former volume, all the facts which recent enterprise has brought to light, regarding that perilous desert which, commencing at the left bank of the Nile, touches the sea in the neighbourhood of the greater Syrtis. The discoveries of Brown, Pacho, and others, who in later times have penetrated this dreary wilderness, have rendered familiar to the student of geography every thing that can be deemed interesting relative to Siwah, the seat of the ancient Ammonium, and those smaller oases by which the surface of the surrounding waste is relieved and diversified.

Moving along the coast westward from Alexandria, the traveller, upon reaching the 28th degree of longitude, finds himself in the district of Marmarica, where the classical port of Parætonium may still be recognised under the modern appellation of Al Bereton. This wild country is not recommended to the European eye either by its natural beauties or its historical remains. The soil, of a parched and barren aspect, refuses nourishment to those groves of laurel, myrtle, juniper, and arbutus, which in other parts adorn the northern edge of the Desert, and present an air of freshness to the mariner who approaches the shore. Traces are not wanting, indeed, of happier times, when a race of men possessing industry and taste must have occupied its surface. Canals, constructed for the purpose of irrigation, cross the plain in various directions, even

ascending the sides of the hills; and cisterns meant to retain the excess of moisture supplied by the rainy season, are still found in such a state of preservation as to indicate the plan on which they were built, and the materials of which they consisted.

It admits not of doubt, that, when the Cyrenaica was subject to the King of Egypt, this province must have enjoyed a considerable share of wealth and importance. The labours bestowed on agriculture prove at once the extent of the population and the value attached to the produce of land; and even at the present day there are every where vestiges of ancient habitations, which, though they serve only to throw an additional gloom over regions condemned to desertion and melancholy, afford the best evidence that they were at one time blessed with at least a partial civilisation, and with such improvement as belonged to the parent state.

The Gulf of Bomba presents itself as a principal feature in this scene, in which geographers are willing to recognise the harbour of Menelaus, mentioned by Herodotus, Strabo, and Ptolemy. No positive traces, it is true, can be discovered of the power or taste of the Cyrenians, though it is certain that their dominion extended so far to the eastward. The Bedouins, moreover, unite in declaring that, at a little distance from the bottom of the bay, there is a lake with a small island in the centre, covered with architectural relics of a superior order. The statements of such guides, however, are, for the most part, unworthy of trust, not only from ignorance, but also from that habit of exaggeration to which all rude tribes are addicted. The specimens, accordingly, which fell under the notice of M. Pacho,