ACRE. 3 
of Eastern nations'. Although the repose and chap. 
stillness of his charem were better suited to ' y 
the preservation of his life than the public 
duties of his palace, he knew too well the 
consequences of a rumour purporting his in- 
ability to transact the affairs of his government, 
and therefore more readily granted audience to 
persons requesting admission to his presence; 
continuing his usual practice of cutting watch- 
papers, but being less ostentatious of his bodily 
vigour, and the exhibition of his Herculean 
strength^. We found him, as before, with his 
feet bare, and a bottle of water by his side ; but 
a more than ordinary covering of turbans 
appeared about his head and neck. Having 
thanked him for the many obligations he had 
conferred upon us, he inquired concerning our 
late journey, and seemed to possess great 
knowledge of the country, as well as some 
degree of information respecting its antient his- 
tory. Adverting to the dispute which took place 
between the Author and one of the escort, in the 
Plain of Esdraelon, (of which he had been in- 
formed,) he cautioned us against the imprudence 
(1) In the time oi Aristophanes there, were three kinds of fables; 
the Libyan, which was the most antient, the Si/bantic, and the 
uEsopian. 
(2) See p. 84 of Volume IV. 8vo. edit. 
B 2 
