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stances of the country permitted it; but, on account of 
the invasion of the Wehhabites, it is now suspended.* 
2d, The caravans of Bagdad, which perform three or 
four journeys in a year, with more than 2500 armed 
men each. They are generally thirty days in traversing 
to or from Bagdad; but a courier, mounted upon a 
dromedary, goes the distance in twelve. The caravans 
of Aleppo, which set out commonly two or three times 
a month, perform their journey in twelve days, whilst 
a courier takes but three. They reckon besides several 
small caravans, which are daily arriving from or setting 
out to Berut, to Tripoli in Syria, to Acre, and other 
places. 
The necessaries of life, though abundant, are always 
at a high price. This arises from the accumulation of 
numbers produced by the great activity of commerce, 
which reigns in this city. The following is a list of the 
prices of provisions in 1807: 
The artal of meat - 
72 
The oka of best bread 
12 
The oka of common bread 
8 
The artal of oil 
* 
100 
A fowl ... 
50 
A chicken - 
25 
The artal of butter 4 or 5 piastres. 
The weights and measures are the same as those in 
use throughout all Turkey. The artal contains 600 
drachms, the oka 400, and the ounce 50. 
* Since the Turks have again taken possession of Mecca and 
Medina, the caravans and pilgrimages have been gradually re- 
commencing. (Note of the Editor.) 
