EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 127 
punifliment, he is ftiunned by all his acquaintance, and becomes 
a ftranger to fociety. 
Provifions are confiderably cheaper at Affiut than in Kahira. 
Lentilles form a confiderable article of food to the inhabit- 
ants of the Upper Egypt, who rarely enjoy the luxury of rice. 
The lentilles are fo prepared as to be very palatable. 
In Dar-Fur are no lentilles: 
The Egyptian onions are remarkably mild, more fo than the 
Spanilh, but not fo large. They are of the pureft white, and 
the lamina are of a fofter and loofer contexture than thofe of 
any other fpecies. They deteriorate by tranfplantation ; fo that 
much muft depend on the foil and climate. They remain a fa- 
vourite article of food with all claffes ; and it is ufual to put a 
layer or two of them, and of meat, on a fpit or fkewer, and 
thus roaft them over a charcoal fire. The defire of the Ifraelites 
for the onions of Egypt is not to be wondered at. 
About four hours from Affiut we had pafTed Monfalut, 
a city which I afterwards returned to view at more leifure. 
Monfalut is of confiderable extent and population. Between it 
and AfTmt ftands Ben-Ali, a populous town. Thofe three 
places conftitute, with Girgi, the chief marts of the trade of 
Upper Egypt. 
Odober 
