TO ALEXANDRIA. 6 1 
tut the Egyptians can do one thing the Europeans 
are not able to imitate; namely, fafcinate fer- 
pents. They take the molt poifonous vipers with 
their bare hands, play with them, put them in their 
bofoms, and ufe a great many more tricks with them, 
as I have often feen. The perfon I faw on the above 
day, had only afmall viper; but I have frequently 
jhen them handle thofe that were three or four feet 
‘°ng, and of the mod horrid fort. I enquired and 
examined whether they had cut out the vipers poi- 
sonous teeth ; but I have with my own eyes feen 
they do not ; we may therefore conclude that there 
are to this day Pfylli in Egypt; but what art they 
u e is not eallly known. Some people are very fu- 
perititious; and the generality believe this to be done 
. y ,‘ omc fupernatural art, which they obtain from 
juvillble Beings. I do not know whether their power 
ls to be aferibed to good or evil; but I am per- 
**aded that thofe who undertake it ufe many fuper- 
hi lions. I fhall hereafter give a plainer deferip- 
tl0n > with fome obfervations on this fubjeft. 
The zd of July, I waited on the Greek Pa- 
triarch, who hath his feat here inftead of Alex- 
andria, and is the fuccelfor of St. Athanafius. He 
Xvas a pious man, of about fixty years of age, feemed 
t0 tinderftand the principles of his religion well, and 
Jtas greatly inclined to the Evangelical doftrine. He 
pove no language but the Greek, and wasdreffed 
n tne habit of the Greek clergy. I went after- 
ards to the Goptite Patriarch, an Egyptian of the 
ophtite nation, about forty years old. He was not 
0 ^ e diftinguiflied by his habit, which was fuch as 
re worn by an Arab or Turk. He was very po- 
f Ue ’ atu * Wa * employed at my arrival in adjufting dif- 
crences between his followers ; being in matters of 
a confluence a judge, or, in virtue of his office, 
a Mediator. 
