s an excuse, that I would dispense with that
custom till the plague should pass over. He drank a glass of wine,
and appeared cheerful and in good health. I have had fixed in my
dining room, a table that extends from one end to the other. I walk
or sit on one side of the table, my visitors on the other. I am
only cautious to avoid personal contact. All the houses of the
other merchants are closely barricaded or bolted. A fumigating pot
162 of gum sandrac stands at the entrance of my house, continually
burning, which diffuses an agreeable perfume, but is not, as I
apprehend, an antidote to the epidemy.

October 1. We have to apprise you of the decease of L'Hage Abdallah
El Hareishy, most of whose relations are dead. His brother is the
only one of the family besides himself that remains: he has
inherited considerable property, and thence will be enabled to pay
your bill on him in our favour.

October 29. The plague appears to have ceased in this town. All the
merchants have opened their houses; but the disorder continues in
the provinces, from whence there is little or no communication with
the town. The kabyls seem to be wholly engaged in burying their
dead, in arranging the affairs of their respective families, in
dividing the property inherited by them, and in administering
consolation to the sick.

Nov. 11. The plague having committed incalculable ravages
throughout this country, had put a stop to all commerce, which now
begins to revive, in proportion as that calamity subsides. Linens
are selling to great advantage, a cargo would now render 60 per
cent. profit, clear of all charges.

Nov. 29. The deadly epidemy that has lately visited us, and which
163 at one period carried off above 100 each day, has now confined its
daily mortality to two or three; some days none. When, however, the
Arabs of Shedma, and the Shelluhs of Haha come to town, and bring
the clothes of their deceased relations for sale, the epidemy
increases to three, four, and five a day; then, in three or four
days, it declines again to its former number, one, two, or three.
We have reason to expect, that, before the vessels which we expect
from London shall arrive, the plague will have subsided entirely.

Mogodor, Dec. 12. 1799. The plague or mortality of this town is now
re