SUAKIN. 
^85 
was under a Turkish Pacha. I made many inquiries, if possible, to 
detect him in an error, but he answered so correctly as to induce 
us to believe the account, so far as related to a British force being 
at Alexandria, and Egypt's being quiet ; two most important objects 
to us, as securing our safe passage through Egypt, and a speedy 
departure from Alexandria for Europe. It much increased our 
impatience to reach Cosseir. 
After sitting an hour, sherbet, made with honey, was handed 
about. Afterwards a khelaut was put over my shoulders, which, to 
my great surprise, was of the most holy colour, green. Such a gift 
would never have been permitted in Turkey a few years ago. Even 
the wearing a bit of that colour would have been dangerous to a 
Christian. It was handsomely lined with ermine. I asked Emir 
Mahommed where these skins were procured : he said they were 
not of this country, but that the dresses were sent from Constan- 
tinople to be given on public occasions, and that the Dola brought 
them from Jidda. Captain Court, who sat next me, had a yellow 
khelaut, lined also with ermine, but old and discoloured. I was sur^ 
prised at their being so good. The Dola was a dignified man, with 
good manners. He wore a scarlet cloth dress, lined with blue silk ; 
his attendant officers were in similar dresses ; and this uniformity 
gave an appearance of respectability to the little divan we were 
seated in. Around the room were hung sabres, matchlocks, Euro^ 
pean guns, and blunderbusses. Before our departure, he promised 
to come on board the Panther the next day. His servants escorted 
us to the water side, and kept off the crowd. 
The town is nearly in ruins : two minars give it a handsome ap^ 
pearaiice at a distance, and the buildings, being white- washed, and 
