EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 373 
the city walls. There is but one gate of the latter ; it fronts 
North-eaft. The magnificent palace, built by Fakr-el-din, in 
the Italian manner, is now ruinous. 
An earthquake which deftroyed Ladakia in 1796 was felt 
here, but not fo violently as that which happened in the year 
1785, in which many perfons perifhed, and which was fuc- 
ceeded by a plague which almoft depopulated the place. 
A large teflellated pavement of variegated marbles, reprefent- 
ing a horfe, feftoons, &c. and in fome places tolerably perfect 
for ten feet in length, remains, clofe to the fea, on the northern 
extremity of the city ; a proof of marine encroachment. 
Many antient granite columns are worked into the walls, and 
fome ftand as pofts on the bridge leading to the fort. Near the 
gate of the city is a fmall fquare building, which contains the 
tombs of fuch of the Emirs of the Drufes as died when Seide 
was in their pofTeflion. 
Seide is furrounded with gardens, in which grow a number 
of mulberry trees, filk being the chief commodity. The rent 
of houfes and the mode of living are cheaper than at Acre, and 
the government more mild and regular ; fo that ftrangers are 
not liable to infult. Formerly, there was a confiderable com- 
merce carried on with Marfeilles, but fmce Jezzar banifhed the 
French it has ceafed. 
On the 6th of April 1797 I l^ft Seide to vlfit the diftridl of 
Kefrawan, where we arrived in four hours, on horfeback, after 
travelling 
