482 VARIOUS LETTERS dich visited Ashantee), did not know King Woolo was dead, as he was reigning at the time he left Timbuctoo."

With regard to Dapper's assertion, it should be remembered, that if Timbuctoo was decaying in his time, that is about the period that Muley Ismael ascended the throne of Marocco, viz. in 1672 ; it revived very soon after, that is before the close of the 17th century. This powerful and warlike prince had the address to estabUsh and to maintain a very strong garrison at Timbuctoo ; and accordingly, during his long reign of fifty-five years, viz. from I672 to 1727> Timbuctoo carried on a constant, extensive, and lucrative trade with Marocco, Tafilelt, and Fas, in gold dust, gum-sudan, ostrich-feathers, ivory, and slaves, &c, Akkahahs % and cqfilahs, or caravans, were going continually from Timbuctoo to Tafilelt, Marocco, Fas, and Terodant. Travelling across the Desert was then as safe as it is now in the plains of Marocco, or on the roads in England ; the only months during which the caravans did not travel were July and August, because the Shume or hot wind of the Desert, prevails during these two months. It is reported, that Muley Ismael was so rich in gold, that the bolts qf the gates of his palaces, and his kitchen utensils, were of pure gold. Timbuctoo continued to carry on a most lucrative trade with : An Akkabah is an accumulation of many cafilahs or caravans.