556 
count of the war with the Christians, and without home 
trade, because of the, war with the Mamelukes, and con- 
sequently without money; notwithstanding the seizures 
and devastations made by the troops of Elfi Bey, en- 
camped at a short distance from the town; notwithstand- 
ing the flight of the inhabitants from the country, as also 
the inundation of the lake Mareotis by the English du- 
ring the war in Egypt, by which a considerable tract of 
land was lost to agriculture, and which presented more 
than 150 villages upon its surface; notwithstanding this 
assemblage of circumstances so unfavourable, the pub- 
lic markets were well provided. What an abundance 
would there be under more auspicious circumstances! 
The principal mass of the inhabitants of Alexandria 
is composed of Arabs, that is to say, ignorant and un- 
polished men; but far from being uncivil or hostile to- 
wards the Christians, they serve them, and endure even 
their caprices and injustice, as patiently as slaves. I 
suppose, indeed, the people were formerly less civil to 
the Europeans, solely because of their religious preju- 
dices; but the expedition of the French has made them 
believe that the Christians do not abhor the Mussul- 
men, since not having strength enough to command as 
masters, they treattdthe inhabitants as brothers; these 
circumstances have produced a happy change in the 
ideas of the people. The immense advantages of civili- 
zation, of military tactics, of the political organization 
of the arts and sciences of the nations of Europe, which 
they have had an opportunity of remarking; the philan - 
ihrophic ideas common to all classes of society, which 
they have had time to appreciate; have inspired them 
with a respect for the nations which possess such great 
advantages over the Arabs and Turks, whose inferior!- 
