76 GRAND CAIRO. 
being distinguished from the Gum Arabic which 
comes from Saez\ These gums, says Hassel- 
quist, differ in other particulars besides their 
locaUties ; the first being hmpid and colourless; 
the latter less pellucid, and of a brown, or dirty- 
yellow colour ^ We purchased a considerable 
quantity of the white gum. The fragrant odour 
diffused in burning it is well known ; but its 
operation, as an enlivener of the spirits, in per- 
sons of weak health, does not seem to have 
been much regarded. Perhaps the pleasing 
antidote it affords to the effects of foul air in 
crowded assembly-rooms, may possibly here- 
after give it a place among the luxuries of 
London and Paris. Hitherto the sacred Sahcean 
odour has been exclusively reserved for the 
religious ceremonies of the Greek and Roman 
churches ; and that which was once considered 
an offering worthy the altars of the most High 
God, now scarcely obtains any notice. Fifteen 
hundred years before the Christian sera, the 
ordinances concerning incense' were delivered 
to the leader of the Jewish nation ; and the his- 
tory of the most antient Pagan rites also bears 
(1) Travels to the East, p. 250. Lond. 1776. 
(2) Ibid. 
(3) " And thou shall make an altar to burn incense upon.' 
Erocl. XXX. 1. 
