12 2 Travels into L e v a n t. part 1 
are not ancient, but have been built by the Turks, as may be eaîlly feen by the 
Fabrick, being all low ill-contriv'd Houfes. This Town hath three Ports, 
the firft of which, called the Old Harbour, is pretty large, bnc few VelTels put 
into it, becaufe the entry is difficult; there are two Ca'flies to défendit, one 
on each fide, and both well kept. The other two Ports are higher up, and 
feparated one from another by a little Ifland, heretofore farther off from the 
main Land, than it is at prefent, and anciently called the Tharros : It is at pre- 
lent joyned to the main Land by a Stone-bridge of fome Arche3,under which the 
water palTes- This Ifle runs out a great way in Meo j in the middle of it, 
there is a large fquare Tower, where the Grands ignior s Powder is kcDt. 
'FitiUon. ^x. the end of the fame Ifle, there is a good Caftle, called F.irillojî^ that ftai'ds 
in the fame place where the heretofore fo renowned P/Wo^ltood, which was 
reckoned One of the Seven Wonders of the World -, this which is now in the 
place of it; is neat enough, and well provided with Artillery, andaGarifon 
of three hundred Soldiers, commanded by a Muteferaca ; but it hath no other 
water than that of the Nile^ which is brought into it from without upon 
Camels. The firfl of the two Ports divided by the Pharos^ is the Harbour of the 
Galleys ; and the other is the Great Port, or New Harbour, the mouth whereof 
is on the one fide defended by the Farillon ; and on the other fide, by another 
« little Caftle at its entry, which is not lb good as the Fanllon ; however it is 
kept by feveral Soldiers , and thefe two Caftles eafily fuccour one anothen 
Both thefe Ports are very dangerous, becaufe of the Stones and Rocks that are 
in them, and there is need of a good Pilot to bring VelTels in. The Great Port 
lyes much open to the North-eafl: and North winds : The Harbour of the Gal- 
leys, is the fafer of the two, but it hath no great depth of water *, and indeed, 
( as 1 have already faid ) it ferves only for Galleys. The Cuftome-houfe of 
Alexandria^ on which that of Rojfetto depends, is upon the fide of the Great 
Milte^l/i. Port : It is let out to a Turk, who therefore is called Multez^in^ or Farmer, 
and pays the Grand S?£mor three hundred Purfes a year, which make two 
hundred twenty feven thoufand two hundred threefcore and twelve P/^y?w, 
fourfcore Maidins : Neverthelefs he is at no trouble about it , for he 
^ difcharges the office by a Jew , to whom he gives a Purfe yearly , which 
makes five and tv/enty thoufand AUidws. The Jew who hath this eraploy- 
Mankm. ment, is called Maalem , and hath other Jews under him ; he is powerful , 
and by his intrigues, can do fervice or injury to a great many. Seing the 
Cuftome-houfe is kept by Jews, there is nothing to be done there on Saturday-, 
becaufe it is their Sabhath, and yet no VefTel can load or unload, unlefs the 
Cullome-houfe be open. There is another CuRome-boure on the right hand, 
as you go from the Fondkk^of the Frf«c^ towards the {hjre, pretty near the 
Water-gate , and is called the Old Cuitome-houfe j it is now above four 
hundred paces from the Sea, though heretofore the water beat againit the 
Walls of it. Some Janiz,arics are ftill there at the door, and exadt fome- 
thing of all Goods that pafs, that fo they may not lofe their Rights. There 
are in Alexandria, two little Mounts, made of Ruines heaped together, and 
one of them may very well be feen from the French Fondick.; it hath a little 
fquare Tower on the top, where a Man always ftands Sentinel, and puts out 
a Flag aflî)on as he fees any Sail ; and every VefTel that comes iuto the Port, 
pays fomewhat for the keeping of that Guard. Alexandria depends on the 
Beglerhey^ or Ba^a of ^gy^t^ who has his Refidence at Caire ; and in Alexan- 
dria there is an Aga that reprefents his Perfon, and Commands there. There 
is alfo a Great Cady or MomIU, who hath other Cadies under him. There are 
alfo two Sotif-Bajhas, one of the Town, and the other of the Sea. All the 
A<ras of the Caftles of Alexandria, depend alfo on the Bapja of iy£gypt, who 
puts in and out whom he pleafes. 
G H A P. 
