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OF

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E. LITTELL & BROTHER, 136 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA,

AND

G. & C. & H. CARVILL, BROADWAY, NEW YORK.

Clark & Raser, Printers, 33 Carter's Alley.

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MUSEUM

OF

FOREIGN LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.

JANUARY, 1829.

From the London Magazine.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT
STATE OF TRIPOLI.

THE city of Tripoli, in Barbary, has of late years attracted particular attention, as affording the means of communicating with the regions of central Africa, for which purpose it is more favourably situated than any other place on the coast. The social condition of the inhabitants appears also more advanced, and the government better established and more secure, han those of the other Barbary states. Whilst Algiers, always the foremost in lawless insoence, is renewing its depredations, whilst even Morocco, emboldened by the example, is trying anew the course of piracy, and Tunis keeps its corsairs armed for the first faFourable opportunity,-the Bey of Tripoli appears to have, in earnest, given up for ever the practice of privateering, and he keeps at peace with all the Christian powers, not exrepting the feebler Italian states. Consuls, and merchants of various nations, are residing the capital; their trade is protected and their property safe. In short, Tripoli stands now higher in the scale of civilization than any ther part of Barbary.

We have been led to this subject by the peusal of an interesting memoir on the commerce, industry, and social condition of that country, and its intercourse with the newlyplored regions of the interior, written by the Swedish Consul at Tripoli, M. Graberg de Hemso, and which has lately appeared in an talian journal. We imagine that a short abaract of its contents will not be unacceptable our readers.

The Regency of Tripoli has now been for a entary past under the sway of the hereditary ynasty of Caramanli; the present Bey, Sidi Jusuf, is spoken of by Mr. Graberg in terms f high commendation. "Considered as an African Prince, he is distinguished above all thers by his moderation, the good choice of ministers, and by principles of equity seldɔm violated. If led astray at times by the suggestions of some crafty courtier, he has hown himself open to remonstrance, and has stened to the evidence of right." It is espeally since the last general peace, and after the final abolition of Christian slavery, obained by Lord Exmouth, a stipulation ever Museum.-VOL. XIV.

since strictly maintained by the watchful care of the English Consul General Warrington, that the civilization of Tripoli must be dated. "The last-mentioned gentleman," candidly observed Mr. Graberg, "has exerted a great influence over the manners of these people. Before his time a Christian could hardly venture out of the town-gates with any safety; and now a European may, without protection, cross alone almost every tract of that vast state." The people of Tripoli begin to understand the value of peace, and the advantages of arts and commerce; they lose by degrees their former wild, roving habits; they are no longer the dependants of a lawless militia; and these are better securities of their future conduct, than the fortunate accident of their having now an intelligent and well-disposed sovereign. But when we speak of civilization and liberality, we ought not to forget that we are speaking, at the same time, of Barbary, and must not expect too much from any of her people. The capabilities of the country are very great, but sadly neglected by the indolent natives. The total absence of commercial and economical science in the government; the monopolies given to Jews and other speculators, to deal alone in certain articles; the reservation to the Bey himself of the sale of others, and the ruinous competition he exerts in the purchases; the injudicious restraints on trade, the taxes upon exports, and upon plantations,-all these act as checks upon industry. The occasional depredations of the Bedoweens in the interior, and the want of capital, which is felt in countries where men are still afraid of appearing wealthy, and prefer burying their gold to exposing it, by circulating it with profit, prevent agricultural improvements on a large scale. The country people also, who bring their produce to the bazaar, have been of late guilty of trickery and cheating, such as mixing water with their oil, putting stones in the packages of wool, &c. Such things were formerly unknown; and even now the inland trade between Tripoli and the interior is carried on with perfect faith. "The times are still," says Mr. G., "in the memory of men, when the mercantile probity and loyalty of the Mussulmans was proverbial; nor are these qualities altogether extinct in them, although no longer displayed in their intercourse with the Christians. Their own primitive ignorance, and their respect for the moral precepts of the KoNo. 79.-A

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