I once and for all disclaim any intention of criticising in a hostile manner the conduct and bearing of the French troops. Their work has been performed well and honestly, and the marches of General Forgemol, as well as the organisation of the Susa column by General Étienne and Colonel Moulin, are deserving of all praise. To the French diplomacy concerning the Regency both at Paris and Tunis, I uncompromisingly take exception, and I fear that the political history of the “Last Punic War” throws its military achievements entirely into the shade. I believe that both M. Saint-Hilaire and M. Roustan “have deserved ill of the Republic,” in contriving and promoting the invasion and occupation of this country. At any rate, it is to be hoped that the numerous and serious complications which have been engendered by the “Last Punic War,” will serve as a memorable lesson to strong Powers endowed with absorptive tendencies as regards their weaker neighbours, and that the pitiful spectacle of the Paris Assize Court will prove a warning to Political Agents inclined to imitate the diplomatic vagaries of M. Roustan. I desire to express my obligations to the kindly interest and assistance of the Earl De la Warr, to Colonel Frederick Burnaby for many excellent suggestions, to Colonel Moulin and Commandant Coyne for much assistance in the matter of detail concerning the military movements at Tunis and Kairwán, and to Mr. Vice-Consul Galea, who was good enough to lend me his diary of the siege of Sfax. The reproductions of the curious Spanish pictures illustrating the expedition of Charles V. have been reduced from large photographs in the possession of H.M. the Queen, which were taken from the original paintings by H.R.H. the late Prince Consort, and a few copies of which were printed by special permission for Lieutenant Colonel Playfair, the learned author of “Travels in the Footsteps of Bruce.” I have to ask the readers indulgence for irregularities that he may discover in the spelling of Tunisian and other proper names; as distance from England, and the necessity of sending these volumes to press, have prevented me from finally revising the proof-sheets. TUNIS, _June_ 20, 1882. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. * * * * * CHAP. PAGE I. TOPOGRAPHY OF TUNIS 1 II. THE DWELLERS IN TUNISIA 15 III. NINE CENTURIES OF POWER, A.D. 648-A.D. 1535 30 IV. THE CONQUEST OF TUNIS BY CHARLES V. 36 V. SPANISH SUPREMACY 45 VI. THE TRIUMPH OF THE TURKS 48 VII. THE DOMINATION OF THE DEYS (A.D. 1590-1705) 51 VIII. THE BEYS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 68