wledge, of a considerable part of those
regions, that have hitherto baffled all the ardour and energy of
European enquiry, though they have always excited the curiosity of
the most eminent and enlightened men, both in past and present
times.

I thank you also for the commercial intelligence you have sent me.

Do you know whether the emperor of Marocco has any collection of
books? If he has, probably some ancient books, of great value,
might be found among them.
85
I should consider it as a very great obligation if you could
procure, and send me any book or manuscript in the character and
language of Timbuctoo. We are informed that, besides the Arabic,
they have a character of their own, perfectly different.

I remain, my dear Sir,
Sincerely your's,

J. WILLIS.

_Extract of a Letter to Mr. Jackson, from His Excellency J.M.
Matra, British Envoy to Marocco, &c._

Tangier, November 8, 1797.

I have not yet received any answer from Sir Joseph Banks to the
letter from you, which I sent to him. Should you be able to obtain
any information from Timbuctoo[104], or of the interior of this
country, which would gratify one's curiosity, I will be very
thankful for a slice of it.

I am ever, dear Jackson,
Most faithfully your's,
JAMES M. MATRA.

[Footnote 104: All _my information_ respecting Timbuctoo, will
be found in Jackson's Account of Marocco, Chapter XIII.]
86

LETTER IX.

_Custom of visiting the Emperor on his Arrival at Marocco.--Journey
of the Merchants thither on that occasion.--No one enters the
imperial Presence without a Present.--Mode of travelling.--The
Commercio.--Imperial Gardens at Marocco.--Audience of the
Sultan.--Amusements at Marocco.--Visit to the Town of
Lepers.--Badge of Distinction worn by the Lepers.--Ophthalmia at
Marocco.--Its probable Cause.--Immense Height of the Atlas, east
and south of Marocco.--Mode of visiting at Marocco.--Mode of
eating.--Trades or Handicrafts at Marocco.--Audience of Business of
the Sultan.--Present received from the Sultan_.

TO JAMES WILLIS, ESQ.

Mogodor, 1788.

The emperor having departed from Mequinas where he passed the
winter, to Marocco, his summer residence, it becomes an incumbent
duty for all loyal subjects, to pay their