EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 
45 
CHAP. V. 
K A H I R A. 
'Topography — Government of Kah'ira and of Egypt — Pafha and 
Beys — Mamluks — Birth ^ education ^ drefs^ arms, pay — EJii' 
mate of their military fkill — Power and revenue of the Beys — ■ 
The Chalige — The NILE — Mofques, Baths, and Okals — 
Houfes — Manners and cu/loms — Claffes of people — Account of 
the Copts, 
A RESIDENCE in Kahira at diftind intervals, but extending 
in all to eleven months, may enable me to attempt fome ac- 
count of this celebrated city, with perhaps more advantages 
than have fallen to the lot of any recent traveller. A curfory 
glance of the manners and cuftoms of a people is often falla- 
cious, and a temporary exception is liable to be converted into 
a general rule. 
The yet numerous population, the various nations with their 
feveral languages, drefTes, and manners, confpire with the ro- 
mantic fame of Grand Cairo, the fecond capital of the Eaft, the 
metropolis of Africa, the fcene of furprifing events in hiftory, 
and of yet more furprifmg incidents in Arabian fable, to imprefs 
the fpedator with curiofity and admiration. 
The 
