xlv 
P R E F A C E.- 
the black nations, was, according to the general 
voice of the Egyptians who travelled among them, 
mild and tolerant. A difpofition fo generally ac- 
knowleged, that the more zealous among the latter 
are little fcnipulous in honouring them with the 
appellation of Caffre, His furprife therefore was 
not inconfiderable at finding, on his arrival, that an 
unbeliever in the infallibility of the Koran was more 
openly perfecuted, and more frequently infulted, 
than in Kahira itfelf. 
The information received, previoufly to his de- 
parture in 1793, taught the writer to expert, from 
having chofen the route of what is called the Sou- 
dan Caravan, the choice of a free paflage to Sennaar, 
which would, without much doubt, have fecured 
him an entrance into Habbejh^ under the conduct 
of the Fungni, who trade there : for the Furiari 
monarch, had his favour not been withdrawn in 
confequence of falfe infinuations, would readily have 
accorded a fafe-condu6l through Kordofan, which 
was all that circumftances required. The being 
removed a few weeks journey too far to the Weft- 
ward, was no objedion, when he reflected on the 
confufion 
