EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 67 
extremely common among the Egyptian beggars. The mofque 
called yama el A%-her is one of the moft magnificent of Kahira, 
ornamented with pillars of marble, and Perfian carpets. The 
property attached to this mofque is immenfe. A fhech, being 
an ecclefiaftic of the higheft order, prefides over the eftablifh- 
ment ; which alfo fupports a number of perfons diftinguifhed 
for their profound flcill in theology, and accurate knowlege of 
literal Arabic. It is furnifhed with an extenfive colledion of 
MSS. and le£lures are read on all fubjedts which are here 
called fc'ientific^ being commonly removed fartheft from 
fcience. 
The other mofques moft frequented are, that of Sultan el 
Ghouri^ el Hajfanein^ and, of later date, that erected by Mo- 
hammed Bey Abudhahab. For the conftrudion of the latter 
the moft coftly materials were provided, and it is efteemed a 
chef-d' txuvre of oriental magnificence. 
The Saracenic ftrudure on the ifland Rouda^ which contains 
\}s\tMokkias^ orNilometer, has been reprefented in various defigns, 
and repeatedly defcribed. The graduation of it is confufed, 
imperfect, and not to be depended on : fo that they who would 
inform themfelves corredly as to the Nile's increafe, fhould 
make their obfervation on fome fmooth furface, wafhed by the 
river, and perpendicular to its plane ; never depending on the 
public report, which the cryers are fuborned to make agreeable 
to the will of government ; and which at the beginning of the 
increafe generally exceeds the truth, and afterwards falls fhort 
of it. 
K 2 Larfre 
