164 Of the Checks to Population. Bk. i. 



a constant state of alarm, the fear of the plunder 

 of the Arabs, and the visits of the Mamelukes, 

 the spirit of revenge transmitted in families, and 

 all the evils of a continual civil war.* 



In the year 1783 the plague was very fatal; 

 and in 1784 and 1785 a dreadful famine reigned 

 in Egypt, owing to a deficiency in the inundation 

 of the Nile. Volney draws a frightful picture of 

 the misery that was suffered on this occasion. 

 The streets of Cairo, which at first were full of 

 beggars, were soon cleared of all these objects, 

 who either perished or fled. A vast number of 

 unfortunate wretches, in order to escape death, 

 spread themselves over all the neighbouring coun- 

 tries, and the towns of Syria were inundated 

 with Egyptians. The streets and public places 

 were crowded by famished and dying skeletons. 

 All the most revolting modes of satisfying the 

 cravings of hunger were resorted to; the most 

 disgusting food was devoured with eagerness; 

 and Volney mentions the having seen under the 

 walls of ancient Alexandria two miserable 

 wretches seated on the carcase of a camel, and 

 disputing with the dogs its putrid flesh. The 

 depopulation of the two years was estimated at 

 one-sixth of all the inhabitants. f 



* Volney, torn. i. c. xii. p. ] 73. This sketch of the state of the 

 peasantry in Egypt given by Volney seems to be nearly confirmed 

 by all other writers on this subject ; and particularly in a valuable 

 paper entitled Considerations generates sur $ Agriculture de 

 I'Egypte, par L. Reynier. (Memoires sur Y Egypte, torn. iv. p. I .) 



f Voy. de Volney, torn. i. c. xii. s. ii. 



