374 
perfectly three or four languages at the same time, 
without any master; indeed it may be said that Alexan- 
dria is the worst place in the world to learn any one lan- 
guage perfectly. It is well known that the ancient in- 
habitants of Alexandria, and of all Egypt, were the an- 
cestors of the Copts; of which nation, there may be 
about one thousand individuals remaining, who in ge- 
neral apply themselves to commerce. They had for- 
merly a magnificent temple for their worship, which 
was razed to the ground to discover some hidden trea- 
sure. 
There are not more than forty Greek families settled 
in Alexandria, though there are always a great number 
of goers and comers; because the greater part of the 
ships which arrive in the ports are Greek, or have 
Greek crews. They have a church and convent of their 
religion, where the bishop and patriarch of Alexandria 
reside; the latter is an amiable man, and very learned. 
There are also a few Syrians, who are catholics, that 
come here occasionally in the way of commerce. 
There are more than three hundred Jews established 
in this city, who carry on trade and stock -jobbing, and 
establish a brisk correspondence with Leghorn, when 
circumstances permit it. They have at present but two 
small temporary synagogues. Their great synagogue 
was xlestroyed by the Europeans. 
Ail the Christians and Jews in the country dress them- 
selves in the long eastern clothes, and are not distin- 
guished in any way from each other. They are treated 
extremely well by the Turks and the Arabs. They 
transact their affairs, exercise their religion, celebrate 
