4i8 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Some general remarks arife concerning Anatolia, formerly 
Afia Minor. The parts through which we pafled have more of 
the wild and romantic* than of the cultivated afpe<Sl ; foil very- 
various, but a deep clay is the moft prevailing. Wheat and bar- 
ley, and the yellow durra, Holcus Arundinaceus^ form the chief, 
if not only produds of agriculture. The whole is pervaded by 
hordes of Kurds and Turcomans. Numerous mendicants. The 
little fecurity there is arifes from the fuperior ferocity of a few 
Paflias, which allows of no robbery fave their own. The de- 
population is gradual, conftant, and infallible, and indubitably 
arifes from the extreme badnefs of the government, than which 
nothing more wretched can well be conceived, 
* Throughout Syria and Anatolia is eftabliftied a kind of tolls called ghafary 
demanded under pretence of keeping up the roads, and freeing them from rob- 
bers. A fixed fum is exafted from all Chriftians ; and even an European, 
though furnifhed with a travelling firman, often finds it difficult to avoid paying 
them. Mohammedans pay what they pleafe, or even nothing. 
In Syria thefe tolls are of no apparent ufe ; the demand is fomewhat con- 
fiderable, the roads are not repaired, and there is no defence but immemorial 
cudom. In Anatolia, v/here there are woods, fome refponfibility is attached 
to the office of toll-gatherer, in cafe a traveller is robbed ; and the fum paid is 
more reafonable. 
