EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 87 
Convenient markets appear in every part of the city. GofFee- 
houfes are equally numerous, where the natives pafs a great 
part of the day fmoking and converfmg. Thefe commonly 
confift of one apartment, not very large. Only coffee and fire 
for the pipe are furnifhed. But at Damafcus I afterwards faw 
coffee-houfes remarkably large, fome of them placed over run- 
ning water. The furniture is however very fimple, and unlike 
the fplendid apartments, for the fame purpofes, to be feen in 
Conftantinople. One, in particular, at Damafcus, under the 
caftle wall, is capable at a very moderate calculation of holding 
one thoufand perfons : it has no walls, but an extenfive roof 
fpreads over numerous benches, and it is encircled with trees 
and water. 
The number of fmall imports in Egypt is almofl: inconceiv- 
able ; they are eftimated to amount to three hundred and fixty. 
One is for all goods croffing from Jiza to Kahira ; a poor wo- 
man bringing a bafket of eggs, worth two paras, muft pay the 
fifth part of a para for paffing. Upon the whole, the revenue 
can hardly be raifed to a greater amount than it is. 
In May 1792 there was a famine, occafioned by various ac- 
cidental circumftances ; and wheat fold at 20 and 22 patackes 
the ardeh. In 0<5tober 1796 it was at five patackes. When I 
made my inquiries at the latter period, the following prices of 
provifions were ftated : 
Mutton, per rotal, 10 paras. 
Beef, ditto, 8 ditto. 
Sugar, 
