TO CAIRO, 99 
Pofite to it, is a fmall gallery between two columns, 
pretty high from the ground; from which theirScheiks 
°rPriefts read to the people fome part of the Coran, 
°r fomething elfe which may excite them to obferve 
’■heir doftrine, and live accordingly. In fome of the 
other galleries are the fteps that lead to the minaret 
°r fteeple, from which the hours of prayer are pro- 
claimed fix times a day, viz. at fun-rife, at noon, 
jhree o’clock in the afternoon, at fun-fet, half an 
hour after feven in the evening, and at midnight. 
** the minaret is well built, it makes the outward 
a Ppearance of the Mofque agreeable, and contri- 
butes a little to the beauty of the city, if fuch a 
thing is to be found amongft a people who defpife 
architefture, and glory more in deflroying than 
Cl 'efting. Their fteeplcs are cylindrical, with one 
0r more balconies, and four doors, one from each 
quarter of the world. In Old Cairo is a grotto 
uiuch efteemed by the Chriftians, as Chrift and his 
pother were concealed in it when they fled to 
h-gypt. Over this the Coptitcs have built a church, 
they keep in tolerable repair, and ufe the nrotto 
t°r a chapel. 
Near Mataree is a well of fweet water; all the 
j t ler s are fait. Here is likewife an obelijk, which 
s the handfomeft in Egypt. I never believed na- 
t - lra l hi dory was fo ufeful in the Audy of antiqui- 
.‘ es . as I experienced on the 25th. A perfon who 
ac quainted with birds, may fee at firft fight of 
c kind thofe are, which are carved on it. I 
Quid know a Strix (Owl) which flood uppermoft 
lik t0 ^ the °h e hlk ; a Scolopax (Snipe) much 
tV e ,the pluvialis. an Anas (Duck) and, what I 
^ u more remarkable, could plainly difcern the 
r uea Ibis -alba in thepofitionitisyettobefeen inall 
H 2 the 
