EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 51 
and arms from his matter, together with a fuit of clothes, which 
is renewed ever year in the month Ramadan. The generofity 
of their mafters, and rewards or extortions from others, afford 
them fupplies of money either for avarice or debauchery. Some 
of them, admitted to peculiar favour by the Beys, as chafnadars 
or purfebearers, &c. acquire great wealth. They are rather 
gay and thoughtlefs, than infolent ; fond of fhew, and unprin- 
cipled in their means of acquiring it. They feldom marry till 
they acquire fome office. 
Though born of Chriftian parents, they feem highly fatisfied 
with their condition ; which they have been known to refufe 
to exchange for freedom. The majority are regarded by the 
Arabs as little ftrid in the principles or duties of Moham- 
medifm. 
It Is worthy of remark, that though the Mamluks in general 
be ftrong and perfonable men, yet the few who marry very fel- 
dom have children. As the fon even of a Bey Is not honoured 
with any particular confideration, the women perhaps procure 
abortions. However this be, of eighteen Beys, whofe hiflory I 
particularly knew, only two had any children living. 
Hardy, capable of every fatigue, of undaunted courage, and 
eminent Ikill in horfemanfhip and the ufe of the fabre, the 
Mamluks may be regarded as by far the bed troops in the Eaft. 
But in a regular battle, condudled by manoeuvres, and large or 
rapid movements, they are equally inferior to European 
troops. 
H 2 Being 
