* 
52 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Being diftinguiflied by favouritifm or merit, the Mamluk 
becomes a Cafhef, and in time a Bey. The chief caufe of 
preference arifes from political adherence to fome powerful 
leader. 
The government of Kahira, and Egypt in general, is veiled in 
twenty-four Beys, each of whom is nominally chofen by the 
remaining twenty-three, but in fa£t appointed by one of the 
moft powerful. The Venk-tchery aga, and feveral other officers, 
are enumerated among the twenty-four Beys. 
Befides being governors of certain diftridls of Egypt, feveral 
of the Beys receive other dignities from the Porte. Such are 
the Shech el Bellad, or governor of the city ; the Defterdar^ or 
accountant-general ; the E?nir el Hadj^ or leader of the facred 
caravan ; and the Emir es Sdid^ or governor of the upper 
Egypt*. Thefe officers have alfo revenues allotted them by the 
Porte, ill-defined, and liable to much abufe. 
Of the other Beys, each appoints all officers and governors 
within his diftrid:, putting into it fome flave of his own, who 
is compelled to render an account of the receipts ; of which a 
part palTes to fupport the grandeur of his matter. An opulent 
Bey may have from 600 to 1000 purfes annually ; the reve- 
nue of Murad Bey more than doubles that fum. The inferior 
Beys may have 300 purfes or 15,0001. 
The chief judicial authority in Kahira is delegated to a 
Midla^ who is annually appointed from Conftantinople j but his 
* The two laft offices are annual. 
jurifdidion 
