EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 37 
the European merchants obtained it by their agents at the 
cheapeft rate they were able from the natives. The quantity 
fuppHed, the prime coft, and the contingent charges, were 
therefore variable and uncertain. It had never before, as I un- 
derftood, been farmed by an European. S'^ Rofletti wifhed 
for a clear and exclufive property in the produce of the lakes, 
on paying regularly an annual fum, to be determined by the 
quantity fold. He has attained, from long experience, a con- 
fiderable local knowlege, and had, at that time, from various 
eaufes, great intereft with Murad Bey. Pecuniary profpe£i:s 
fingularly influence thofe regents, whofe office being precarious, 
and at moft for life, totally omit to reflect on any remote con- 
fequences, for the fake of an immediate advantage. The pro- 
pofal was accepted, and Rolfetti obtained over the diftrid of 
Terane an authority almoft equal to that exercifed in former 
times by the Calhefs. 
At that time the confumption was augmenting at Marfeilles, 
Venice, and Leghorn, and the article had been tried with fome 
fticcefs in Great Britain. RolTetti fent his nephew to refide at 
Terane as his deputy. But the young man, preferring the re- 
pofe of his fofa to the Mamluk exercifes of arms, was little 
adapted to the government of a people accuflomed to be ruled 
only by fear. He had a few Sclavonian foldiers, who could 
not prevent injuries being done to the little parties employed to 
fetch the natron. About three months after I left Terane' the 
young man died, not without fufpicions of poifon j and S'^^ 
Roifetti has fmce fold a large fliare in the grant, which he now 
retains to little purpofe. 
During 
