HOUSA. 53 On the 31st of March, 1790, Shabeenee gave further information, in the presence of Lord Rawdon', Mr. Stuart, and Mr. Wedgewood. Mr. Wedgewood proposed the questions, and Mr. Dodsworth interpreted. The following is some of the information, omitting what has been noticed already.

Between Timbuctoo and Housa, there is a very good trade. Timbuctoo is tributary to the king of Housa. The imports into Timbuctoo " are spices, corn, and woollens from Barbary, and linens from the sea-coast.

The written character is very large, perhaps half an inch long. The empire is divided into provinces ; the provinces into districts. The king appoints the governors of both ; but the son of the deceased governor is understood to have the preference.

They make their pottery by a wheel, but do not glaze it. The wheel turns upon a pivot placed in a hole in the ground : at top and bottom are two pieces of wood like a tea-table ; the lower, which is largest, is turned by the foot,, and the upper forms the vessel. When they make a large pot, they put on the top a larger piece : the pots are dried in the sun or burnt in the fire. The iron mines are in the desert ; the iron is brought in small pieces by the Arabs,, who melt and purify it. They cannot cast iron.

* Now the Marquis of Hastings.

" For a more detailed account of the imports to Timbuctoo, see Jackson's Account of Marocco, &c.

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