i84 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY letters of the East, which was at this time entered into, was never dropped.

Es Soyouti, the famous Arabian encyclopedist and scholar, was one of those who met Askia Mohammed during this visit to the East, and with whom the Songhay king continued to correspond. It is said that he never afterwards undertook a reform of importance in the State without previously consulting Es Soyouti. All who met the king were impressed with the keen interest which he displayed on many subjects, his readiness to listen to the best opinions, his diligent discussion with the learned, and his anxiety to acquire information on practical questions. Askia Mohammed remained for two years in the East, during which period he devoted much time to study. Amongst subjects named as arresting his special attention we find : " Everything that concerned the government and administration of peoples;" "principles of taxation, and especially land tax and the tithe or tribute to be taken from newly conquered peoples ; " *' verification and inspection of weights and measures, regulation of trade, laws of inheritance, laws for the suppression of fraud, customs duties ; " " laws for the suppression of immorality, and measures to be taken for the introduction of better manners among the people." The limits of religious tolerance and persecution also appear to have occupied his mind, and it is mentioned of him by one or two of his biographers that he allowed himself to be influenced by orthodox marabouts in the direction of the persecution of the Jews.

There can be little doubt that to a man of his age, having had already thirty years of practical acquaintance with affairs, but having now for the first time the sense of security in his own position and of power to carry his views into operation, the visit under the circumstances which seem to have accompanied it must have been one of extraordinary interest and importance. Mohammed Abou Bekr was already a distinguished soldier at the time of the conquest of Timbuctoo in 1468. He cannot