CHAPTER IV.
Arrival at Lebida—Remarks on its position and resources as compared with those of Tripoly
Short account of the city and its remains—Allusion to the African tribe Levatae (or
Levata) by Procopius—The same trihe.mentioned by Leo Afficanus—Suggestions of Major
■Rennellon the resemblance between the terms Levata and Lybia—Former position of this
tribe near the coast confirmed by Procopius—Remarks on the tefm Libyar-*Visit froni the
- Shekh of Lebida—Violent storm at that place retards the. advance of, gig party—Intrusion
upon the premises of a celebrated Maribut-Dangerous consequences of this intrusion predicted
by our escort—Departure from Lebida-Remains of. the aqueduct, and of the causeway
mentioned by Strabo—Arrive at the River Cmyphus. pffiyWad|(;l Rlidhau—Remarks on
the river and the morass in its immediate neighbourhood—Observations on the faulty position
of the Cinyphus in the maps of Cellarius-This position probably suggested by some remarks,
of Pliny, Ptolemy, and Mela—Extreme fertility of the region of fhe Cinypjius— Remarks on
this district, and that of Byzacium—Suggestions of Signor Della Celia with respect to them—
Present appearance of the region of the Cinyphus consistent with the, description of .Herodotus—
Neglected condition of the district under the Arabs—Account of, Lebida and its
remains by Captain Smyth.
O n the following morning we continued our journey to Lebida, the
weather being still very bad. The road from Selem to Lebida leads
close along the foot of Mergip-hill, on the summit of which
are the mins of a tower of considerable height, which may be
seen from a great distance: at the foot of the hill are the remains
of several tombs, but none of those which we saw appeared to be in
good style.
On emerging from the valley of Selem a fertile tract of high
ground presents itself, which lies between the valley and Lebida;
clusters of olive-trees are scattered over its surface, and contribute
with the green turf on which they are planted to give it a very
pleasing appearance. From the summit of this appears the whole
plain of Lebida, stretching down, in a gentle slope, from the high
ground to the sea; and a more beautiful scene can scarcely be witnessed
than that which is presented by this fine tract of country.
Thick groves of olive and date-trees are seen rising above the villages
which are scattered over its surface ; and the intermediate
spaces are either covered with the most luxuriant turf, or rich with
abundant crops of grain.
I I t must always afford matter for surprise to those who are
acquainted with this beautiful and highly-productive country, how
Tripoly could ever have been selected, in preference to Lebida, as
the metropolis of the regency. Placed in the midst of sand, on the
borders of an extensive desert, and situated almost at the extremity
of thè country in which it stands, Tripoly appears to enjoy
scarcely any particular local advantage beyond the possession Of its
port1; while Lebida seems to unite in one beautiful spot all the
advantages of plenty, convenience, and security. I t is probable
that the harbour and strong walls of Tripoly were the principal
causes of its adoption as thè capital ; and the sums of money which
Would be necessary to rebuild and fortify Lebida, might have been
considered as moré than equivalent to its local recommendations, by
a people who seldom look beyond the present.
But Lebida, once occupied, wóuìd be a much stronger post
than Tripoly could ever be made; and the good sense of the
h s