Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/460

 Thus abandoned as a military station, Tangier soon began to attract traders from every quarter, and has now become a chief centre of the exchanges with the European seaports. The foreign envoys to the Sultan's court generally reside here, as does also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in order the more easily to maintain relations with the European powers. Tangier has thus become a sort of capital, as it is fast becoming a European town, with its new houses, landing-stage, workshops, journals, batteries, neighbouring lighthouse, and suburban villas.

In its outward aspect Tangier bears some resemblance to Algiers, being like it disposed in amphitheatrical form on the slope of a hill, which is crowned by the embattled walls of a citadel. A considerable traffic is maintained in the thoroughfares leading from the port to the gate of the upper town. Although the harbour is too shallow to admit large vessels, which are obliged to anchor in the offing, a large trade is carried on, especially with Gibraltar, which is chiefly provisioned from this place. Wool, raw and dressed hides, and other produce are also shipped in exchange for hardware, cotton goods, tea, sugar, chandlery, and other foreign