BENGAZI.

299 who knew him : he soon made us acquainted with the principal people of the town, from whom we collected what little information they could alford us, respecting the country, and the several objects of our mission*. We were informed that Bengazi contained about two thousand inhabitants, a large proportion of which were Jews and negro slaves ; but the number of persons residing in the town is continually varying, owing to the circumstance of many persons » removing to the country, whenever the weather permits, where they establish themselves in tents, or in huts made of palm-branches and dhurra-stalks f . The Jews of Bengazi are a persecuted race, but uniformly steady in their pursuit after riches : as is usually the case in Mahometan countries, they are (with the few exceptions we shall presently mention) the principal merchants and tradesmen of the place ; and their well-directed and unremitted industry alone enables them to meet the heavy exactions which are made upon their purses and property by the adherents to the religion of the Prophet. Their houses are generally cleaner and better furnished than those of most of the Mahometans, and we never entered any of them without finding the whole family employed in some useful occupation.

We found them invariably civil and obliging, and apparently contented with their condition ; which proves how much habit will * The Shekh el Belad Mahommed was nearly related to Shekh Belcazi, from whom we had received so much civility at Mesurata — he had two brothers also in Bengazi, both of whom were shekhs and merchants.

t Signor Della Celia has mentioned five thousand as the number of inhabitants in Bengazi ; but this statement appears to be overrated, as well as that of the number of Jews residing in tlie town, which, he tells us, amounts to half the population.

2 Q 2