EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 299 
4. In addition to this, every one who is concerned in a ju- 
dicial proceeding before him, muft bring a prefent according to 
his rank and property : this is another confiderable fource of 
revenue. 
5. Of all the merchandife, but efpecially flaves, which are 
brought from the roads, as they call it, that is, from all quarters 
except Egypt, the king is entitled to a tenth ; and in cafe of 
a Selatea, that is, an expedition to procure flaves by force, the 
tenth he is entitled to becomes a fifth, for the merchants are 
obliged to wait fix weeks or two months before they can fell 
any of their flaves, and then are obliged to pay in kind one 
tenth of the number originally taken, one half of which is by 
that time generally dead. 
6. At the time of leathering the kettle-drum, which happens 
every year on the 27th of the month Rabia-el-awil, all the prin- 
cipal people of every town and village, nay, as I have under- 
ftood, every houfekeeper, is obliged to appear at El Faflier, 
with a prefent in his hands, according to his rank and ability. 
This is another confiderable fource of revenue. The prefent 
of the Melek of the Jelabs on one of thefe occafions, I have 
known to be valued at 900 mahbubs, or about 200I. fl:erling. 
At this folemn feftival, all the troops, not in adual fervice, 
are obliged to be prefent, and as it may be called, reviewed ; 
that is, every man who has or can procure an horfe, mounts and 
fhews him in the public meeting. 
