GIBRALTAR

was first fortified by the Saracen General Tarik in 711 A.D., and its name is a corruption of Gebel-el-Tarik, or ‘ Rock of Tarik.’ It was taken from the Moors by the Spaniards in 1462, and from the Spaniards by the English, under Sir George Rooke, in 1704 and it was secured to Britain by the Peace of Utrecht.; Since that time it has been attacked several times, and in 1779 a tremendous effort was made by Spain to recover it; but it was magnificently defended for nearly four years by General Elliot. The Straits are about 15 miles wide at the narrowest point, and have rather dangerous currents.