EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 
405 
CHAP. xxvr. 
yourney from Damafcus to Balbec — Syriac language — Balbec — 
Recent d'lfcoveries — Zahhle — Prifiting-qffice — Houfes of Da- 
mafcus — Return to Aleppo, 
O N Thurfday the fixteenth of Auguft 1797, fet out from 
Damafcus for Balbec or Heliopolls, attended only by the 
owner of the mule I rode on. Arrived at the convent of Seid- 
na'ia^ which commands a fair view of the city of Damafcus, 
and the plain. Vines and fig-trees adorn the country through 
which I travelled. The wine has lefs flavour and body than 
that of Kafrawan, but is efteemed more grateful, to the 
ftomach. 
From Seidnaia I proceeded to Malula^ a village fituated in 
the mountain, where is a convent, faid to be of the time of 
Juftinian. Thence went to Yebrud^ the antient yabruda^ a 
place higher up the mountain, in a romantic fituation ; the 
inhabitants are chiefly Mohammedans. I met there a Greek 
bifhop, who was going to a place near Balbec, an intelligent 
and curious man. We proceeded in company till we came to 
Balbec. 
Soon after arrived at Mara, a fmall town on the North of 
the road. It is remarked that at this town and at Malula alone 
the 
