34 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



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G H A P. II. 



Author s Reception at Cairo — Procures Letters from the Bey and the Greek 

 Patriarch — Vifits the Pyramids— -Qbfervatioits on their Conjiruclion, 



IT was in the beginning of July we arrived at Cairo, re- 

 commended to the very hofpitable houfe of Julian and 

 Bertran, to whom I imparted my refolution of purfuing 

 my journey into Abyffinia. 



The wildnefs of the intention feemed to ftrike them great- 

 ly, on which account they endeavoured all they could to 

 perfuade me againfl it, but, upon feeing me refolved, offer- 

 ed kindly their moft effectual fervices,. 



As the government of Cairo hath always been jealous of 

 this enterprife I had undertaken, and a regular prohibition 

 had been often made by the Porte, among indifferent people, 

 I pretended that my deftination was to India, and no one 

 conceived any thing wrong in that. 



This intention was not long kept fecret, (nothing can be 

 concealed at Cairo:) All nations, Jews, Turks, Moors, Cophts, 

 and Franks, are conftantly upon the inquiry, as much after 

 things that concern other people's bufinefs as their own. 



The plan I adopted was to appear in public as feldom as 

 pofllble, unlefs difguifed ; and I foon was confidered as a 



Fakir. 



