10 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Among the charadeiiftic features of the people of this city, 
it is deferving of notice that they preferve the ancient character 
of perfeverance and acutenefs, efpecially afcribed to them by the 
hiftorian of the Alexandrian war *. For example, fiippofe they 
wifh to divide an antique column of three or four feet diameter, 
into two parts, for the purpofe of fecuring the foundations of 
the houfes near the fhore from the encroachments of the feaj 
they make a line not more than half an inch deep, for the fpace 
of one twelfth of the circumference, then inferting two pieces 
of tempered fteel, not larger than a dollar, at the extremities of 
the line, they drive a wedge in the midft. At the fame time, 
fmall pieces of fteel, like the former, are fixed at equal diftances 
round the column, to the number of five or fix, by means of 
fmall hammers, which ftrike quick, but with no violence. 
Thus the piece is cut off regular, and in a very fkort fpace of 
time.. 
Glafs for lamps and phials is made at Alexandria, both green 
and white. They ufe natron in the manufadure inftead of 
barilla : and the low beaches of the Egyptian coaft afford plenty 
of excellent fand... 
A difpute has lately arifen between the Alexandrians and the 
government, which originated in the condud of the Syrian 
Chriftian, who has the management of the cuftoms here. The 
people of Alexandria, it is to be remarked, are not among the 
moft obedient and tradable fubjeds of the Mamluk govern^ 
* Hirtius, Bell. Alex, prope init. 
ment i, 
