CHAP. T.] 
TAXES. 
15 
impost; accordingly the Arabs limit their cultivation 
to their bare necessities, fearing that a productive farm 
would entail an extortionate demand. The heaviest 
and most unjust tax is that upon the “sageer,” or 
water-wheel, by which the farmer irrigates his other¬ 
wise barren soil. 
The erection of the sageer is the first step necessary 
to cultivation. On the borders of the river there is 
much land available for agriculture; but from an 
almost total want of rain the ground must be constantly 
irrigated by artificial means. No sooner does an enter¬ 
prising fellow erect a water-wheel, than he is taxed, 
not only for his wheel, but he brings upon himself a 
perfect curse, as the soldiers employed for the collection 
of taxes fasten upon his garden, and insist upon a 
variety of extras in the shape of butter, corn, vegetables, 
sheep, &c. for themselves, which almost ruin the pro¬ 
prietor. Any government but that of Egypt and 
Turkey would offer a bonus for the erection of irri¬ 
gating machinery that would give a stimulus to culti¬ 
vation, and multiply the produce of the country; but 
the only rule without an exception, is that of Turkish 
extortion. I have never met with any Turkish official 
who would take the slightest interest in plans for the 
improvement of the country, unless, he discovered a 
means of filling his private purse. Thus in a country 
