a large city in North Africa, and capital of a kingdom of the same name. It has for some years past been the great object of European research, being one of the principal marts for that extensive commerce which the Moors carry on with the Negroes. The hopes of acquiring wealth in this pursuit, and zeal for propagating their religion, have filled this extensive city with Moors and Mahomedan converts; the king himself, and all the chief officers of state are Moors; and they are said to be more severe and intolerant in their principles than any other of the Moorish tribes in this part of Africa. Mr Park was informed, by a venerable old Negro, that when he first visited Tombuctoo, he took up his lodging at a fort of public inn, the landlord of which, when he conducted him into his hut, spread a mat on the floor, and laid a rope upon it; saying, "if you are a Mussulman, you are my friend, sit down; but if you are a Kafir, you are my slave; and with this rope I will lead you to market." The reigning sovereign of Tombuctoo, when Mr Park was in Africa, was named Abu Abraham. He was reported to possess immense riches, and his wives and concubines were said to be clothed in silk, and the chief officers of state live in considerable splendour. The whole expense of his government is defrayed by a tax upon merchandise, which is collected at the gates of the city.

Of that city very little is known with accuracy, as Tombeck, it has never been visited by any European. It is the largest on the Niger, Houfia only excepted; and probably contains from 60,000 to 80,000 inhabitants. In some of the Gazetteers, its houses are said to be built in the form of bells; but they are probably such buildings as those of Segu, which see in this Supplement. Tombuctoo, according to Major Rennel, is in 16° 30' N Lat. and 19° 33' E Long. from Greenwich.