MATARIEH. 
4^3 
the Lake, which he farmed from the Beys, and being able to protect 
himself from the usual oppressions, by the natural strength of his 
islands, which could not be approached by an enemy, all the boats 
on the lake being his own, and by the friendship of the Arabs, whose 
chiefs he constantly bribed with liberal presents. His family were 
originally of Menzale, and were said to have held the sovereignty, 
by their prudent management, for five generations. Our wish was 
to visit the ruins of Tanis, situated at Sann, on the banks of the Kaliz 
el Moez, where, according to the French accounts, several obelisks 
still remained standing. We consulted him on the subject. He in- 
formed us, that in the time of the rise of the Nile, it would be very 
easy for him to conduct us thither by water ; but that at present it 
w as out of his power, as the vicinity was much infested by the wander- 
ing Arabs. He said that one or two might make their way, by his 
sending to one of the tribes, and receiving hostages from them for 
the safety of the travellers ; but that this would require time, and 
would, after all, be doubtful. The distance was said to be six hours 
march on horseback. As by his account, and that of General An- 
dreossi, there was but little to be seen, we determined to give up 
the pursuit. 
The Schech sent me six sheep, some rice, ghee, and bread, as a pre- 
sent. The town is but small ; the houses chiefly mud, though a few 
are brick. The people are nearly naked, but robust, and healthy: 
the children are numerous, indeed, more so than I have seen in any 
part of Egypt. The inhabitants of trhe two islands amount to about 
eleven hundred males, besides females and children, the whole dis- 
trict of Menzale is said by General Andreossi to contain eight thou- 
sand souls. At present there are six hundred boats employed in the 
