202 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
rially from the vernacular idiom of Egypt. I feldom, indeed, 
joined in the parties where Merifi^ was introduced, becaufe it 
was important not to hazard becoming concerned in the riots, 
which are the frequent confequence of their inebriation. But 
I was often diverted by the mode of conduding a bargain, 
which fometimes lafts for feveral hours ; and I Hilened, perhaps 
not wholly without inftrudlion, to their legal arguments, and 
the cool difcuffions of right, which are the confequence of 
often fubmitting difputes to arbitration. I could fmile at the 
quibbling diftindions, by which the niceties of external obferv- 
ance are fettled ; but I had generally reafon to be fatisiied with 
their theory of morals. 
It is ufual for the graver men, during the heat of the day, 
to fit and converfe under a fhed ereded for the purpofe. When 
convalefcent, 1 feldom failed to be of this party ; for though 
the converfation contained few fallies of wit, much lefs pro- 
fundity of obfervation, yet it was carried on without ill-humour, 
with mutual forbearance, and on the whole in an equable 
courfe. Perhaps indeed the fociety appeared lefs dull, as difli- 
pating reflections which my fituation rendered unpleafant. 
The following fummer (1794) having in fome degree reco- 
vered my ftrength, I determined to go and refide for a time 
near the Sultan, as well to have an opportunity of fupplicating 
for redrefs of what I had already fuffered, as to feize any mo- 
* A fermented liquor, called B^iza or Merift, 
ment 
