EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 379 
unreftrained; they wear turbans adorned with various colours, 
even green ; and they are freely indulged in the exercife of 
their religion : fo natural is defpotifm to this clime, that thofe 
who live under their own Chriftian fhechs or governors, are 
almoft equally opprefled with thofe fubje£l: to Turks. The 
ftiechs fleece the poor people, and Jezzar fleeces the fhechs. 
I afterwards vifited HarrtJL Here the Maronite patriarch 
refides, who exercifes an authority almoft regal over the 
Chriftians of that rite. From Harrife returned to Beirut. 
As in confequence of a difpute between Jezzar and the Paftia 
of Tripoli it was become unfafe to travel there, I joined a 
party of difbanded foldiers, and proceeded to Tripoli in their 
company. Our journey being quick, I had few opportunities 
for obfervation on the road. 
This part of the country is noted for producing the beft 
tobacco in Syria. That plant is cultivated in feveral diftridts, 
particularly in the neighbourhood of Tripoli, Gebeile, and 
Ladakia. 
On the third day arrived at Tripoli, about ten o'clock in the 
morning, having flept as ufual in the open air. 
Tripoli is a city of fome extent, fituated about a mile and 
an half from the fea. Veflels moor near the Chore, and are 
fheltered by a ridge of rocks, but the fituation is not extremely 
fecure. 
3 c 2 The 
