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tremely sweet and grave sounds. The water is conveyed, 
raised by these means, to its different destinations by 
aqueducts supported upon arches; one of which I par- 
ticularly examined, and it appeared to me very hand- 
some. They are without doubt the remains of ancient 
times, but it is praiseworthy to have preserved them 
from sharing the general destruction which has reigned 
in the country. 
The water raised by these means is conveyed to the 
different mosques, and to other parts of the city. The 
remainder waters an infinite number of gardens, situated 
in the suburbs, upon the left bank of the river. 
Almost all the inhabitants of Hama are Arabs; there 
are but few Turks. I saw some Christians and Jews; 
but I do not know their precise number. There is a 
great proportion of Arabs of the Desert, who wear the 
costume of Hedjaz. 
The provisions are good, and the fruit and vegetables 
abundant. The meat is not of so good a quality. The 
bread is made like the Arabian cakes. The water qf 
the river, though rather turbid or whitish, is neverthe- 
less good. 
I remarked among the inhabitants the same inclina- 
tion for commercial dealings as among those of Horns 
and Damascus. There are manufactories of every kind 
on all sides; at the Alcaisseria, which serves as a bazar 
for the silk stuffs, there are considerable assortments. 
There are some edifices at Hama built in the Eu- 
ropean taste, with large windows. 
Upon my arrival in the city I thought I was entering 
a large hospital. The men, women, and children, during 
the hot months, almost all sleep in the streets, upon 
terraces, or before the doors of the houses. As it was 
still early, I observed the greater part were sleeping in 
I 
