EGYPT. 



867 



Turkish empire. Tliey uuuie a most vigo- 

 rous resistance to the best troops of France, 

 but were considerably broken by repeated 

 defeats during the invasion by thai power. 

 After the evacuation of Egypt by the Brit- 

 ish, a war of extermination was waged by the 

 Turks against the Mamelukes. Ali Pasiia 



having succeeded in driving them from Ibrim, 

 where they made their last siand, compelled 

 them to retreat to Dongola t.-,e capital of Nu- 

 bia, and, siill more recer.'.ly, into Darfur, 

 where it is probable tiiey will soon bccomu 

 extinct. 



14. Dress. Tiie modes of dress are as 

 various as the classes of people, and the cos- 

 Mamclukes. tume of many nations gives a lively appear- 



ance to the streets of Cairo. The usual dress has considerable resemblance to that of Turkey. 

 The Arabs, who are the most numerous class, wear trowsers of blue or white cotton, and a 

 long tunic of the same. Those who are able wear a red woolen cap. Tnrbnns also are worn. 

 The females in public are closely veiled. The present ruler, however, has made great efforts 

 to introduce the European costume, and many of the inhabitants have substituted the hat for 

 the cap, and retrenched the fulness of their dress. 



15. Language. The common language is the Arabic, and among merchants the Z(?io-ua 

 franca. The Coplic is the most ancient tongue, but it is not spoken. It is used by the 

 Copts in worship, and there is in it a version of the Scriptures. Jt is the oldest language, 

 being that of the ancient Egyptians, though it is mixed with Greek and Arabic. 



IG. Manner of Building. In the towns, the houses are generally square, with flat roofs, 

 and built without much regard to elegance. Many of the Arabs live in lenis, or rude huls. 

 The Arabs of Goornoo live in the passages of the ancient tombs, which they divide with par- 

 titions of clay. 



17. Food and Drink. Egypt is the land of abundance. In mnnj places, tliere are 3 har- 

 /ests. Food is extremely cheap, and yet many inhabitants sufier under privaiions. The 

 ■;ommon food is pilau, or boiled rice and rancid butter, bread of uiillet, and dates. Some 

 mutton and poultry is consumed, and much bufTalo-milk. The water is lhat of the Nile, col- 

 lected in cisterns. It is considered very salubrious. Rakec is consumed in considera- 

 ble quantities, and many drink it to intoxication. Smoking is as geneial as it is in Turkey. 



I'he same sum 



In Upper Egypt, 1,000 eggs, or 14 fowls, may be purchased for 

 will purchase a great number of pigeons. 



dollar. 



The most 

 are hydrocele 



Caravan resting at night. 



IS. j/israscs. 

 common diseases 

 and ophthalmia ; tlie most fatal, 

 plague, dysenlery, and fevers. 

 European p!i}'siciaiis are in great 

 request; though bsibers are 

 generally tlie chief surgeons. 

 Charms and amulets are resorted 

 to, in cases of disease. 



19. Traveling. The general 

 mode of traveling, is on camels, 

 horses, or in boats on the Nile. 

 The caravans will be described 

 under Asia. At present, trav- 

 elers may go safely, though not 

 with much comfort, to the most 

 interesting ruins, including The- 

 bes, Siwah, and Elephantine. 



20. Chnrader., Manners, &c. 

 The people are so various, that 



