EGYPT, AND SYRIA. tys 
ledion of them in his own hands would be a material addition 
to his revenue. For once his determination accorded with the 
public good : the plurality of the Kahirine merchants being 
better contented with the new mode than the old one. The 
Chriftians were removed, and fpared the fufFerings of which 
they had long fo loudly complaiaed* But how vain are human 
wifties ! This novel regulation was fcarcely put in force, and 
the colledion of the import and export duties thrown into the 
hands of Mohammedans, who were immediately refponfible 
for the receipts of their office to the Bey, than the Syrian Chrift- 
ians came forward with very lucrative propofals, if they might 
be allowed to hope, that the right of farming the cuftoms 
would be a fecond time transferred to them. Murad, whofe 
intelledt is clear, though conftitution, paft fufFerings, and in- 
difference as to the future, have rendered him abfolutely 
fenfual, whofe profufenefs had left him no option as to the 
means of gain, but who had yet fpirit to fcorn the bafenefs 
of thefe parafites, on the offer of fome conditional prefents of 
great value, contumelioufly difmiffed the deputation from his 
prefence. The cuftoms therefore continued in the hands 
of Mohammedans, and the Chriftians were reduced to 
defpaia*. , ... , , .i 
• The Chriftian merchants of Syria, eftablifhed here, make 
fuch a prodigal and oftentatious difplay of wealth, that it lef- 
fens our wonder at the extortions of the Beys. At one of their 
weddings, five hundred chickens were ferved up every day, and 
other articles in proportion. This fete lafted ten fucceffive days,; 
X 2 The 
