376 
The Catholics have a church and a convent, placed 
under the protection of the French, like all those of 
the east; but supported by Spain* 
The women of the country, Christians or Jews, go 
abroad veiled, and live as retired as the Mussulmen's 
wives; but the European women enjoy the same liber- 
ty as in Europe. Among the former some are hand- 
some; but if we were to judge of the beauty of the 
Mussulmen's wives by the form of their children, we 
should have but a very poor opinion of it, for they have 
a very disgusting appearance, large bellies, bandy legs, 
great heads out of all proportion, eyes almost always 
affected with ophthalmia or squinting, and complexions 
of a greenish brown colour; this tout ensemble, which 
is almost universally to be seen, does not inspire an 
idea of the beauty and cleanliness of their mothers; not- 
withstanding all this, the Europeans, who are born and 
brought up in the country, are as well proportionate and 
healthy as if they had been reared in the country of 
their fathers. 
How different from the former are the children of the 
Mussulmen at Fez, where I perceived some with almost 
angelic countenances and figures! 
There are but two public baths at Alexandria; the 
one I used was without the town. It is the best, is 
paved with fine marble taken from the ruins, and is well 
served. Persons of every religion make use of them 
indiscriminately. It was at night when I went, accom- 
panied by the principal scheiks, and the gates were or- 
dered not to be closed until after my return, which took 
place at midnight. 
