orders, in his kingdom, a more powerful and dangerous enemy than Barbarossa was raised up against him. This was Hassan's eldest son, named Muley Hamida, who, at the instigation of a favourite called Mahmed, took the most effectual means of dethroning his father during his absence. He propagated the report, that his father had been converted to christianity, and that he had been taken by the Turks, and carried prisoner to Constantinople, where he would either be put to death, or imprisoned for life, on account of his apostacy.' As Hassan had become extremely odious to the Tunisians, this rumour was readily believed, and Hamida found it no difficult matter to enter the city and take possession of the royal palace. He met, however, with an unexpected reproof from the governor, who rebuked him for so easily crediting this report, and for being in such haste to ascend the throne of his father. But Hamida persuading the people that the governor was in the interest of the Spaniards, who intended to place his brother Mahomet on the throne, they were immediately alarmed; dreading nothing so much as being under the government of a Christian, and such that prince was now considered. By this means, the treacherous son obtained possession of his father's throne, and having made himself master of Tunis, he ordered the governor to be put to death, and, like another Absalom, forced the most favourite of Hassan's wives to his incestuous embraces. The news of this unnatural rebellion having reached the unfortunate monarch in Sicily, he hastened back into Africa, in order to prevent his son from entering into an alliance with Barbarossa. Ff2 Hassan Hassan had with him only two thousand Italians, and five hundred Moors, with whom he marched directly to the capital. The Tunisians perceiving the Italians, and taking it for granted that the king had been converted to christianity, as his son asserted, a bloody battle immediately ensued, in which the forces of Hassan were overpowered by numbers, and many of them slain. The aged and unfortunate monarch was surrounded by Hamida's troops, and carried prisoner into the capital, where he was closely confined. The next day Hassan sent to request his son to come to him, and; to hear what he had to plead in his own behalf; but Hamida absolutely refused to see him, and dispatched executioners, who gave him only the choice whether he would suffer death, or have his eyes put out. As he preferred the latter, he was deprived of sight by having a red-hot lancet thrust into hiseyes, and left to languish in grief and misery. We shall not pretend to give an account of the various depositions, assassinations, and other calamities, that befel the beys of Tunis, and which could not interest the minds of our readers. In order, however, to efface the melancholy impression which the barbarous and inhuman action we have been relating may occasion, we shall call the attention to the instructive and important lesson given by a Mahomet bey of this kingdom to an Ibrahim dey of Algiers. The former had amassed great riches; and was celebrated for his great knowledge in chemistry, and for having discovered the long-sought for philosopher's stone. happened, notwithstanding his pretended learning, that be became disagreeable to his subjects, by whom he was dethroned. On this occasion, he had recourse to Ibrahim, and requested that he But it would would assist him in regaining possession of his dignity and authority. To his solicitations the latter acceded, on condition that he would communicate to him the secret of which he was said to he in possession. Accordingly, when the Tunisian was reinstated in his kingdom, the Algerine demanded the fulfilment of his engagement. Mahomet, therefore, in consequence of his promise, sent to Ibrahim spades, hoes, and other instruments of agriculture, and informed him, that these were the instruments of that real magic, which produces solid riches, and converts every thing into gold. THIS CHAP. XVI. HIS state, though tributary to the Porte, assumes the title of kingdom, and receives its appellation from the metropolis called New Tripoli, to distinguish it from the ancient city in Phoenicia, which still retains its original denomination. This kingdom, which includes the desert of Barca, and the rest of Barbary, is bounded on the east by Egypt, on the north by the Mediterranean sea, on west by Tunis, and on the south by Nubia, and extends about twelve hundred miles in length, but is of very disproportionate breadths. In this country there are no rivers of consequence; nor is its coast distinguished for any natural curiosities, except the gulph of Sydra, denominated the Syrtis Magna, in order to distinguish it from the Syrtis Minor, which lies on the coast of Tunis. Tripoli is divided into maritime and inland; and the worthless inhabitants of these great districts are designated by the odious character of being pi rates in the former, and robbers in the latter. The chief cities and towns are situated along the coast; but few of them merit any particular description being in general thinly inhabited, meanly built, and ruined on the one hand by the exactions of the government, and on the other by the depredations of the plundering Arabs. Tripoli, the metropolis of the kingdom, is situated in fourteen degrees thirty minutes of east longitude, and in thirty-three degrees five minutes of north latitude, and is a small, but populous place. This city stands on a sandy situation by the shore, and is surrounded by high walls, flanked with pyramidical towers. It has two gates; one fronting the north, or sea-side, the other the south, or interior parts of the country. To the east is a group of rugged rocks, on which are to be seen the ruins of some ancient forts; to the west is a strong castle, surrounded with fortifications in the modern style, and defended by cannon of uncommonly large dimensions. Old Tripoli lies at a small distance, almost in ruins; and is chiefly remarkable for having been the birth-place of the Roman emperor Severus." New Tripoli was built by the natives, who gave it the appellation of Tarabilis, or Trebilis. It was once a place of great trade; and being filled with a number of capital edifices, exceeded all the neighbouring cities in opulence and beauty. It retains, however, very few marks of its ancient splendour; and its great decay seems to have been occasioned by the want of water and corn, two of the principal necessaries of life. Its limits are become very contracted; and the houses are mean, low, and irregular. It, nevertheless, contains some monuments, that evince its ancient magnifi cence; cence; particularly a noble triumphal arch, part of which lies buried in the sand, though enough of it is still visible to excite our admiration of its elegant architecture. This structure was composed of the finest marble; and it is evident, that the whole had been executed according to the purest models of antiquity: over each of its four gates Is a triumphal chariot, in one of which, Alexander is represented drawn by two sphinxes. This arch is almost entire; and it seems to be indebted for its preservation, rather to the effects of superstition, than to the substance of which it is formed; a tradition having prevailed for a number of ages, that its demolition will be attended with some dreadful calamity. In order to esta blish the authenticity of this foolish and idle story, the natives shew a stone, almost separated from the building, which they confidently afflrm was displaced by the command of one of their princes, whose workmen were immediately alarmed by an earthquake; but persevering in the attempt, notwithstanding this salutary and supernatural admonition to desist, they were all buried under an immense cloud of sand. The Franciscan friars, with several other orders of monks, have settled in New Tripoli, where the former have a handsome church, convent and hospital; the last of which edifices is too often rendered necessary, on account of the malignant and pestilential disorders which infest the city. Near to the walls is an ancient burying-place, where urns, medals, and other relics, are frequently found. Notwithstanding the barrenness of the soil, the surrounding country is adorned with a number of handsome villas, the christian slaves (who are, however, not numerous) being employ ed |