the metropolis of an empire in Africa, on the banks of the Niger, the population of which, according to the account of an Arab named Shabeni, which he delivered to the African Association, was only equalled by that of London and Cairo. The same person described the government as a limited monarchy, which administered justice in a severe manner, although in conformity to written laws. The rights of landed property are guarded by the institutions of particular hereditary officers, whose duties imply no ordinary degree of refinement and civilization. The merchants of Houssa have been celebrated for their probity, while the ladies are said not to be very remarkable for their conjugal fidelity. The art of writing is common, but their alphabet is entirely different from the Arabic and Hebrew. These observations appear to be confirmed by the testimony of Mr Park; and to such as may be disposed to doubt the possibility of so much refinement in the interior of a country deemed savage, it will be necessary to observe, that many of the Carthaginians may have retired to the southern parts of Africa, on the destruction of their own cities, and carried with them some portion of the arts, sciences, and commercial knowledge, for the knowledge of which we are assured that their ancestors were once so famous. According to some maps of North Africa, particularly that of Major Rennel, the city of Houssa lies in Lat. 16° 20' N. and Long. 4° 30' E.