377 
Arts and sciences are in the same state of rudeness 
here as in all Africa. I found, however, some Euro- 
peans who were good workmen, such as a watchmaker, 
a painter, a hatter, two shoemakers, as also three che- 
mists, one of whom was very skilful. There were 
some soi disant doctors, one of whom was tolerably 
good. 
I must correct a very great error of the learned En- 
glish traveller, Mr. Brown, who says, " They make 
" lamps and phials of white and green glass at Alex- 
" andria; they make use of natron instead of other al- 
" kali, and the flat shores of Egypt furnish excellent 
" sand."* 
Having read this article, and remarking that for a glass 
manufactory it is not sufficient to have alkali and sand, 
and that the first and most important article is fuel, 
which does not exist here; the thing appeared impos- 
sible to me. I made inquiry as to this particular of 
several of the inhabitants, who assured me that glass 
had never been manufactured there. I sought infor- 
mation also concerning remote periods, and was con- 
vinced as to the truth of the assertions of the people. 
In short, the most simple reasoning serves to convince 
us that it would have been extravagant to have esta- 
blished a glass manufactory in a country where the wood 
which is burnt, is brought from Turkey by sea. When 
I consider the exactitude observed in the other pans 
of Mr. Brown's work, I am at a loss to what to atiri 
bute so gross a mistake. 
The mussulmen here, as well as in other places, are 
in the habit of celebrating feasts at the circumcision of 
* Brown's Travels to Darfour, &c. vol. i. p. 1$, 
VOL. I. 3 B 
