&6 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Their own affairs they keep to themfelves, and, notwith- 

 ftanding the bad profpeft always before them, they never 

 fail to pnt on a chearfulface to a ftranger, and protect and 

 help him to the utmoil of their power ; as if his little con- 

 cerns, often ridiculous, always very troublefome ones, were 

 the only charge they had in hand. 



But a more brutal, unjuft, tyrannical, oppreflive, avari- 

 cious fet of infernal mifcreants, there is not on earth, than 

 are the members of the government of Cairo. 



There is alfo at Cairo a Venetian conful, and a houfe of 

 that nation called Pirn, all excellent people. 



The government of Cairo is much praifed by fome. It 

 may perhaps have merit when explained, but I never could 

 underfland it, and therefore cannot explain it. 



It is faid to confift of twenty-four Beys ; yet its admirers 

 could never fix upon one year in which there was that 

 number. There were but feven when I was at Cairo, and 

 one who commanded the whole. 



The Beys are underftood to be vefted with the fovereign 

 power of' the country ; yet foraetimes a Kaya commands 

 absolutely, and, though of an inferior rank, he makes his 

 fervants, Beys or Sovereigns. 



At a time of peace, when Beys are contented to be on an 

 equality, and no ambitious one attempts to govern the 

 whole, there is a number of inferior officers depending up- 

 on .each of the Beys, fuch as Kayas, Schourbatchies, and 



the 



