PREFACE. 
xi 
difpoidtion to accommodate ftrangers, and receiving 
them always with complacency and kindnefs, are 
yet, with few exceptions, not of the order of men 
moft able to generalize their ideas, and avail them- 
felves to the utmoft of the information which acci- 
dent throws in their way. 
The Greeks, whofe inquifitive turn, and more 
intimate connedion with the people at large and 
with the government, make them more familiar 
with characters and occurrences, rarely reprefent 
things as they really are, but as they feel them, or 
would have them to be. Where their report is not 
entirely imaginary, their portraits are like thofe of 
Lely^ all adorned with nicely-combed locks and a 
fringed neckcloth. They mark no character, but as 
it appears to their prejudices; give no hiftory that is 
not interlarded with their own fables \ and defcribe 
no place but in the vague and fuperficial manner that 
fatisfies their own ignorance. 
The Copts who, it might be fuppofed, would be 
accurately informed of all that relates to the govern- 
ment 
