-EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 19 
ciliatlon ; inclined thereto, no doubt, by a prefent of fome ufeful 
articles that had been brought for them. This one was, with 
the herd of the people, violently exafperated at the infolence of 
an unbeliever, in perfonating and wearing the drefs of a Moham- 
medan. At firft they infifted on my inftant return, or immedi- 
ate converfion to the true faith ; and threatened to affault the 
houfe, if compliance with thefe terms fhould be refufed. After 
much altercation, and loud vociferations, the more moderate 
gained fo far by their remonftrances, that it was permitted I 
ftiould remain there two or three days to reft. But fo little 
were the chiefs able to keep peace, that during the two days 
enfuing, whenever I quitted my apartment, it was only to be 
alTailed with ftones, and a torrent of abufive language. The 
time that had been allowed me to reft operated favourably for 
my intereft, at leaft with the chiefs, though the populace con- 
tinued fome what intractable. For the former were contented 
on the fourth day to permit me to walk, and obferve what was 
remarkable in the place. 
We left our apartment at day-break, before any great num- 
ber of people was aiTembled ; and having taken with me fuch 
inftruments as I was provided with, we pafTed along fome fliady 
paths, between the gardens, till at the diftance of about two 
miles we arrived at what they called the ruins, or birbe, I was 
greatly furprifed at finding myfelf near a building of undoubted 
antiquity, and, though fmall, in every view worthy of remark. 
It was a fingle apartment, built of mafTy ftones, of the fame 
kind as thofe of which the pyramids confiftj and covered ori- 
ginally with fix large and folid blocks, that reach from one wall 
D 2 to 
