From this castle is a subterraneous passage containing many curiousremnants of antiquity. 0n each side of the passage are ruinousapartments, which we may readily suppose to have been designed asplaces for the concealment of treasures, or receptacles for thedead. From the fragments of some urns I have collected, upon which areto be traced parts of inscriptions in the Punic character, I imaginethis subterraneous place to have been built by the Carthaginians, forone or both of those purposes. It extends from the castle to severalmiles without the gates of the city; whence we may likewise infer,that it served as a means of escape in case of a sudden insurrection,or siege. Here are several superb mosques and commodious public baths.

The _Socco_, or market, is held twice a month (on Sunday andWednesday), in a spacious sandy square, outside of the western gate,whereto the peasants bring all kinds of provisions, and othernecessaries, which are sold at somewhat low rates. Fish and every sort ofwild fowl are brought in daily, and sold somewhat cheap. Among theConsuls' villas, some of which are built near the spot where the_Socco_ is held, that of the Swedish Consul is the most worthy ofnotice. The pleasure-ground is laid out with great taste in orangegroves; the gardens abound in fruit-trees, and the Consul has made acurious botanical collection.