EGYPT, AND SYRIA, 145 
to thofe of the Egyptians. They are armed with the yembia^ 
a crooked knife, often not lefs than a yard long, and commonly 
a lance. Indeed they altogether appear rather fettlers from 
the oppofite ftiore than native Egyptians. The commerce in 
coffee here is not inconfiderable. Formerly all Upper Egypt 
was fupplied with coffee by way of Suez and Kahira, but the 
Beys having laid a very heavy duty on that commodity, the 
inhabitants began to import from Cofsir for themfelves, whence 
they are now fupplied with the befl: coffee, and at a cheaper 
rate than from Suez. The town is provided with excellent fifli, 
and pepper and other fpices are brought there free of duty. 
Some Abyffinian flaves, tranfporred from Jidda, are landed there 
and carried to Kahira, but in very fmall number. While I was 
there, a beautiful girl, of about fifteen, was fold for an hundred 
mahbubs, or about 30I. fterllng. There is no plenty of provi- 
fions at Cofsir, there being no cultivable land near the town. 
Even the butter they ufe there is brought from Arabia. The 
only good water they have is fupplied by the Bedouins from 
Terfowi, which is at the diftance of three hours. If any quar- 
rel enfue with them about the price, the town is compelled to 
ufe brackifh v\rater. We paid twenty-five medines for the 
ghirbe of frefh water. I obferved but two veffels lying in the 
road, and thefe were lately arrived from Jidda. The houfes in 
Cofsir are built of clay, and the number of inhabitants fettled 
there is very fmall, though the ftrangers, who are continually 
paffmg and repaffing, augment them prodigioufly. I could 
obferve no remain of antiquity within the limits of Cofsir, and 
it was not then poffible to fbay to a diftance from it. Finding 
the refentment of the people as ftrong as ever againft the 
u Franks, 
