EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 123 
antient Antinoopolis, and at Afhmunein. In the former are 
two Corinthian columns, highly adorned, ftanding diagonally 
oppofed to each other, and having each a Greek infcription. 
The firft words of the one are as follovr, 
AFAeH TTXH 
AYTOKPATOPI KAI2API MAFKXl ATPHAin. 
The next word appears to be SEKOTNAX2, but it is obli- 
terated *. 
Having paffed about fourteen days in Affiut, waiting for a 
boat to go forward, which, in this feafon, when the corn is 
tranfported into the magazines, it is rather difficult to find, at 
length was able to hire one, of a moderate fize, and entirely de- 
voted to ourfelves. We left Affiut on the 4th of Odober, and 
paffed the night before a village called Mehala. It has been 
built by a certain Ofman Bey, within twenty years ; and how- 
ever deftitute of any fpirit of improvement perfons of this de- 
fcription may be thought in Europe, this village is an evidence 
of fome attention thereto ; for the four ftreets of which it con- 
fifts are at right angles with each other, built in right lines, and 
four times as wide as what is generally feen in places of the 
fame kind. It is true, the materials are mean, and the number 
of houfes inconfiderable. 
The villagers of the Upper Egypt are at little expenfe for 
building. Clay and unburned bricks, the chief materials ufed 
* The remainder might be eafily copied, but circumftances did not then per- 
mit me to give the time neceflary for that purpofe. 
R 2 in 
