12 TIMBUCTOO.

are beds, mats on the floor, and the carpets, which cover the whole room. The rooms are about fourteen feet by ten ; the kitchen and wash-house are generally to the right and to the left of the passage ; the necessary is next the wash-house.

GOVERNMENT.

Timbuctoo is governed by a native black, who has the title of sultan. He is tributary to the sultan of Housa, and is chosen by the inhabitants of Timbuctoo, who write to the king of Housa for his approbation. Upon the death of a sultan, his eldest son is most commonly chosen.

The son ofa concubine cannot inherit the throne ; if the king has no lawful son (son of his wife) at his decease, the people choose his successor from among his relations. The sultan has only one lawful wife, but keeps many concubines : the wife has a separate house for herself, children, and slaves. He has no particular establishment for his concubines, but takes any girl he likes from among his slaves. His wife has the principal management of his house. The sultan's palace is built in a corner of the city, on the east; it occupies a large extent of ground within an inclosure, which has a gate. Within this square are many buildings ; some for the officers of state. The king often sits in the gate to administer justice, and to converse with his friends. There is a small garden within it, fury Being more convenient for the Muhamedan ablutioni.