KUBESIIA IN EGYPT. 
707 
their hands. They talk in the mean time indifferent conversation, as 
if they were Employed in no serious business whatever. After about 
twenty minutes spent in handling; each others’ fingers below the shawl, 
the bargain is concluded, say for nine ships, without one word ever 
having been spoken on the subject, or pen and ink used in any shape 
whatever. There never was an instance of a dispute happening in 
these sales. But this is not all, the money is yet to be paid. A pri- 
vate Moor, who has nothing to support him but his character, becomes 
responsible for the payment of these cargoes. This man delivers a 
number of coarse hempen bags, full of what is supposed to be money. 
He marks the contents upon the bag, and puts his seal upon the 
string that ties the mouth of it. This is received for what is marked 
upon it, without any one ever having opened one of the bags; and in 
India it is current for the value marked upon it as long as the bag 
lasts.” The port of Jidda is very extensive, and contains numberless 
shoals, small islands, and sunk rocks ; but in the harbour itself, ships 
may ride secure, whatever wind blows. The only danger is in coming 
in or going out ; but as the pilots are very skilful, accidents seldom 
happen. 
Kubesha in Egypt. 
Colonel Gaerber, who wrote an account of these countries in 
17*28, gives the following description of this very curious place. 
Kubesha is a large strong town, situated on a hill between high 
mountains. Its inhabitants call themselves Franki, Franks, or Euro- 
peans, and relate that their ancestors were brought there by some 
accident, the particulars of which are now forgotten. The common 
conjecture is that they were mariners cast away upon the coast ; but 
those who pretend to be better versed in their history, tell the story 
in this way : — 
The Greeks and Genoese say they carried on during several cen- 
turies a considerable trade, not only on the Black Sea, but likewise 
on the Caspian, and were certainly acquainted with the mines con- 
tained in these mountains, from which they drew', by their trade with 
the inhabitants, great quantities of silver, copper, and other metals. 
To work this upon the spot, they sent hither a number of workmen, 
to establish manufactures, and instruct the inhabitants. The subse- 
quent invasion of the Arabs, Turks, and Moguls, during which the 
mines were filled up, and the manufactures abandoned, prevented the 
strangers from elfecting their return, so that they continued here, 
and erected themselves into a republic. 
What renders this account the more probable is, that they are still 
excellent artists, and make very good fire-arms, as well rifled as plain, 
sabres, coats of mail, and several articles in gold and silver, for exporta- 
tion. They have likewise, for their own defence, small copper can- 
nons, of three pounds calibre, cast by themselves. They coin Turkish 
and Persian silver money, and even rubles, which readily pass cur- 
rent, as they are of the full weight and value. In their valleys they 
have pastures and arable lands, as w'ell as gardens, but they purchase 
the greatest part of their corn, trusting chiefly for support to the sale 
of their manufactures, which are much admired in Persia, and the 
