192 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



is a rectangular parallelogram of the width of 

 thirty feet ; the sand and rubbish conceal the 

 greatest part of it, and the remainder does not rise 

 more than ten or twelve feet above ground. Some 

 hieroglyphical figures and characters had been 

 engraved upon the wall, but the superstitious bar- 

 barism of the inhabitants, more than the hand of 

 time, had almost entirely effaced them. It was 

 now no longer possible to distinguish any of the 

 Greek inscriptions traced on the trize, and one of 

 v^rhich was copied by Paul Lucas *, and the other 

 by Granger '*f. 



I received many civilities from the Copht, an old 

 man who lived at his ease, and who was hiiihly 

 respected. His name was Mallum Poet or. The 

 repast with which he regaled us was looked upon 

 as sumptuous in this country, and, according to 

 custom, date-brandy was not forgotten. 



Cosscir, a port on the Red Sea, is three long days' 

 journey from Koiis. The road which leads to it lies 

 across the desert. It is the track the caravans pur- 

 sue, which transport into Arabia the commodities of 

 Egypt, and which carry thither the coffee of Yemen. 

 The greater number of these caravans from Cosseir 

 deliver at Kous. Some also go to Kenne, and others 



* Voyage performed in 17 14, vol. ii. rage 2. 

 f Travels through Egvpt in I/30, page 43. 



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