82 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Murad Bey has, of late years, thought it neceffary to inftitute 
a marine ; to effed: which, he has caufed three or four veflels 
to be built, and has purchafed fome from the Europeans. The 
whole has been attended with no fmall expenfe, and promifes no 
adequate advantage. The largeft of thefe veffels carries twenty- 
four guns. Six of them were moored before Jiza, whence they 
cannot be navigated, except during the time of the Nile's in- 
creafe. They were well appointed, and had their full comple- 
ment of mariners, chiefly Greeks of the Archipelago, moderately 
fkilful in their art, and receiving every encouragement from 
the Bey. They were commanded by a native of Sagos named 
Nikola reis. Admiral, or Captain Nicholas. -. 
::"V ■ ■ ■ 
Not far fouth of Jiza is Ge%iret-ed-dahaby a fmall ifland, in- 
tended, as appears, by Diodorus Siculus under the name of 
Venus aurea. 
North-eaft of the city are gardens, and fome fpacious houfes, 
the property of the great, who occafionally leave the city to di- 
vert themfelves in this retreat ; and have there an open fpace, 
where the Mamluks perform their military evolutions, and ex- 
ercife their horfes. The ground under the mountains to the 
Eaft is filled with tombs. The mountain is of white fand and 
calcareous ftone, and deftitute of verdure. 
The tomb of the Imam Shafei is without the walls of the 
city, near the caftle. It is in a mofque of good architedure, 
and kept in complete repair. On Friday, the day of devotion 
among the Mohammedans, the women being at liberty to vifit 
the 
