24th.—­The Queen’s birthday.  At eight o’clock Mr. Gagliuffi fired a musket, and hoisted the British jack and pennant over the Consulate.  At noon, fifty-one discharges of muskets and matchlocks announced the auspicious event to the natives of this city, and to the Tibboos, Tuaricks, Soudanese, Bornouese, and all other strangers of the Sahara and Central Africa.  In the evening, the Consul gave a dinner to us travellers and to the Pasha and his officers.  The healths of her Majesty, the Sultan, and the King of Prussia, were drunk in champagne with enthusiasm.  There were thirty or forty dishes on the table, and among them a turkey, the first ever killed in this city.  Mr. Gagliuffi had recently brought a cock and hen from Tripoli.  A small saloon was decorated with banners and cotton-stuffs of Soudan, with various devices.  Amongst these were a small portrait of her Majesty; an Ottoman blood-red flag, with its crescent and star; and a white flag with the Prussian black eagle.  The effect was excellent, and quite astonished the natives.  The Turks ate and drank famously, and for the most part got “elevated.”  When in this state it was curious to see them clawing at the viands, utterly forgetful of Eastern gravity and decorum.  I must observe, however, that Mustapha Bey himself and one other officer declined to drink wine.  The Turks seem very tolerant to one another in this respect.  It is left as a matter for the decision of every man’s individual conscience.  These sensible people do not think that, because a man is inclined to be an ascetic himself, he is bound to force all other people to be so likewise.

25th.—­I took a walk in the gardens this evening, and came upon two or three small circular orchards, having within the circle simply room for holding water, like a shallow pond, with fruit-trees, vines, fig-trees, and pomegranates clustering around.  These orchards, when thus formed close by the well-side, are very luxuriant.  People now begin to sow ghaseb, ghafouly, dra, and such grains, which are reaped in the summer season.  Barley and wheat are sown in autumn or winter, and reaped in spring.  As I walked I noticed that the sky was darkly overcast, as if threatening rain; and presently, sure enough, a few precious drops fell on the thirsty sandy soil!

I observed a new plant, large, with broad and smooth thick velvety leaves, but omitted to write down the name.  It produces a milky juice, with which the people dye the palms of their hands, instead of with henna.  The plant has a disagreeable odour, and every appearance of being poisonous; but they say it is not so, being only bitter in taste.

26th.—­In my morning’s walk I had the coolest weather experienced since our arrival at Mourzuk.  The wind was from the north-east and the sky much overcast.  It actually rained,—­a slight shower of ten minutes’ duration.  How gratefully the trees seemed to spread their leaves to catch the pleasing drops!  The gardens and groves all wore a happy smile.  We hear, that lately a great deal of rain has fallen in the Ghat district, and on the route to Aheer.