352 
SUEZ. 
thus revenged themselves on the Beys for retiring into Upper Egypt, 
and not permitting themselves to be subdued. The fortifications 
never were of any strength, and were merely meant to keep off a 
sudden attack of the Arabs. It would be useless to fortify a place 
which has no water within its walls, and which must, consequently, 
be ever at the mercy of that power, which can keep possession of 
the country around, uniess it should be thought of sufficient conse- 
quence to keep a large garrison, and to supply it regularly with 
provisions from Cairo, which the occupiers of Egypt must always be 
able to do. The French seem to have intended to remain ; for they 
erected a battery of one gun on a hillock which commands the 
town. Suez has suffered as much by the stagnation of trade, which 
followed the occupation of Egypt by the French, as by their 
hostility, for no one will reside in so wretched a place, who is not 
tempted by his interest. An Arab house, which is flat roofed, 
soon falls into decay, if its preservation be not carefully attended to. 
At present the place seems rising again into consequence. 
The chief trade of Suez has ever been in colfee, as the whole 
quantity which was consumed in the Turkish empire, came through 
that port and Cosseir. The tumults in Egypt, which ended by the 
Beys occupying the upper provinces, divided the country, and 
no communication is permitted between the different parts of 
it ; consequently, no coffee is sent to Cosseir, except for the use of 
the Beys, and the residue finds its way to Suez, where, however, it 
is Hable, not only to the exactions of the Pacha, but even to seizure. 
The owners of four cargoes, now in the harbour, are unwilling to 
land them, without having payment insured ; and as the purchaser 
is equally unwilling to run any hazard, a stagnation of trade has 
