562 
water than that taken from the wells, which is by n© 
means abundant. 
They make use of asses to go from one garden or 
part of the town to another, of so small a size, that the 
legs of the rider nearly touch the ground. The short 
stature of these animals, is compensated by their viva- 
city, and the quickness of their pace; which is equal to 
the fast trotting of a horse. They are often to be seen 
carrying a rider as well as a heavy burden, and running 
from one end of the town to the other, like post horses. 
Their leaders are on foot, and are obliged to run .very 
fast to keep up with them; which is very often a source 
of amusement to the spectators. I measured some of 
these interesting little animals, which were in height 
only thirty -nine French inches, and others but even 
thirty-seven. How useful the introduction of these 
beasts would be in the great European cities. The ex- 
pense of their food would not amount to the fourth 
part of that of a horse or mule, and their services in 
many instances would be as great. 
The horses, which are sold at Alexandria, are obtain- 
ed from the breeds of Egypt, Arabia, Syria, and Africa. 
There are few of them good, and those that are, are 
sold very dear by the jockeys. The stirrups are much 
larger than at Morocco, and their angles serve to spur 
the horse, for no one makes use of spurs. Here, as 
well as at Cyprus, when they alight from their horses, 
the servant takes them by the bridle, and walks them 
about slowly for a quarter of an hour; as if to let the 
animals pass by degrees to a state of repose. This 
custom they never omit, even if they have not had any 
fatiguing exercise. There are persons to be seen in the 
