People all admire the clock I purchased for the Sultan of Sakkatou, to
give him instead of the chronometer. When it strikes the hours, I tell
them it speaks various languages, at which they are greatly astonished.

Yesterday evening, a shower of bats made their appearance at dusk.

_22d._--I went with Dr. Overweg to visit the Pilgrims. We had previously
examined the head of one of them phrenologically. The news had been
spread in the tents, and the whole troop came to have their craniums
studied on our arrival amongst them. This science--if such it can be
called--tickles the fancies of people hereabouts, being suited to their
capacity. One fellow wished to know from his head whether he should gain
much money this year. They looked upon the matter as a species of
fortune-telling.

_23d._--The Pilgrims' heads must have itched all night. Here they are
again to have them handled! All the polls in Mourzuk will probably pass
under our hands if this goes on. It is singular that the pilgrimage to
Mekka has not nourished sufficient fanaticism to prevent these good
people from allowing an infidel doctor to make free with their crowns,
and expatiate on their passions and propensities. There is no
calculating on the strength of the impulse of curiosity.

_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