51 
their hatred to the French nation; on the contrary, they 
wished to be upon terms with them; but they did not 
know how to set about it. I believe they had really 
begun to like the French, since they had seen their 
conduct in Egypt. 
Seduced as I was by the renown of the Arabian 
horses, I sent mine back from Suez to Cairo; but I 
found that at Djedda there were none, except a few 
which belonged to the rich merchants for their own 
use, and which they were unwilling to dispose of. I 
did not see a single mule. The asses are excellent, 
large, and well made, but have no advantage in shape 
over those of Egypt. There are an infinite number of 
camels, which are the only beasts of burden in the 
country. 
I saw a prodigious number of dogs in the streets, 
which are without masters, as in all the Mussulman 
towns. They appear to be regularly organized, or di- 
vided into tribes or families; for when one of them has 
the misfortune or the boldness to leave his own quar- 
ter, they make an infernal noise; and the intruder 
never escapes without receiving serious wounds. The 
cats, which resemble those of Europe, are nearly equal 
in number to the dogs. There are few flies, and no 
gnats, or other insects. 
There are no coals at Djedda: the only fuel is wood, 
brought from a great distance, or the remains of old 
buildings. 
They obtain their flour from Africa. 
The inhabitants appeared to me to have sprung 
from a mixture of the Negro, Abyssinian, Indian, and 
Arab nations. I remarked several who had Indian faces, 
approaching even to the Chinese. 
The intercourse between the men and the female 
