EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 25 
bom infant was found murdered, having been thrown from the 
top of a houfe. I underftood that thefe accidents were not un- 
frequent. It would feem an indired; proof of libertinifm in the 
w^omen, which, however, no other circumftance led me to fup- 
pofe. Inquiry was inftituted, but no means offering to identify 
the perpetrator of the crime, the matter was dropped. The 
complexion of the people is generally darker than that of the 
Egyptians. Their dialed is alfo different. They are not in the 
habitual ufe either of coffee or tobacco. Their fed: is that of 
Malik. The drefs of the lower clafs is very fimple, they being 
almoft naked: among thofe whofe coftume was difcernible, it 
approaches nearer to that of the Arabs of the defert, than of the 
Egyptians or Moors. Their clothing confifts of a fhirt of white 
cotton, with large fleeves, and reaching to the feet; a red Tuni- 
' line cap, without a turban ; and ihoes of the fame colour. In 
warm weather they commonly caft on the flioulder a blue and 
white cloth, called in Egypt melaye\ and in winter they are de- 
fended from the cold by an ihhram^ or blanket. The lift of 
their houfehold furniture is very fhort ; fome earthen ware 
made by themfelves, and a few mats, form the chief part of it, 
none but the richer order being poffefTed of copper utenfils. 
They occafionally purchafe a few flaves from the Murzouk 
caravan. The remainder of their wants is fupplied from Kahira 
or Alexandria, whither their dates are tranfported, both in a 
dry ftate, and beaten into a mafs, which when good in fome 
degree refembies a fweet meat. They eat no large quantity of 
animal food ; and bread of the kind known to us is uncommon. 
Flat cakes, without leaven, kneaded, and then half baked, form 
part of their nouriihment. The remainder confifts of thin 
E fheets 
