*8 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



It is very extraordinary, to find a race of men in power, 

 all agree to leave their fucceffion to ftrangers, in preference 

 to their own children, for a number of ages ; and that no 

 one mould ever have attempted to make his fon fucceed him, 

 either in dignity or eftate, in preference to a nave, whom 

 he has bought for money like a beaft. 



The Beys themfelves have feldom children, and thofe 

 they have, feldom live. I have heard it as a common obfer- 

 vation, that Cairo is very unwholefome for young children 

 in general ; the prostitution of the Beys from early youth 

 probably give their progeny a worfe chance than thofe of 

 others. 



The inftant that I arrived at Cairo was perhaps the only 

 one in which I ever could have been allowed, fmgle and un- 

 px'otected as I was, to have made my intended journey. 



Ali Bey, lately known in Europe by various narratives 

 of the laft tranfadlions of his life, after having undergone 

 many changes of fortune, and been banifhed by his rivals 

 from his capital, at laft had enjoyed the fatisfaclion of a re- 

 turn, and of making himfelf abfolute in Cairo. 



The Port had conftantly been adverfe to him, and he 

 cherimed the ltrongeft refentment in his heart. He wiflied 

 nothing fo much as to contribute his part to rend the Ot- 

 toman empire to pieces. 



A favourable opportunity prefented itfelf in the Ruffian 

 war, and Aii Bey was prepared to go all lengths in fup- 

 port of that power. But never was there an expedition fo 



fuccefsful 



