184 
DOCUMENTS DELATING TO EGYPT. 
lie was besieged in bis capital; and was killed fighting bravely before 
the door of his palace, 4th May, 1709. 
■vxr. 
Those who have served in the East will at once detect a serious 
error made by Napoleon during bis sojourn in Egypt, an error which 
arose from his ignorance of Mohammedan modes of thought. He 
over-acted his part as an amateur Moslim. Mohammedans look on 
proselytes with deep suspicion. Sir Richard Burton, who knew them 
thoroughly, says in a note to the fr Arabian Nights ” (624th Night) :— 
A convert to Islam “ is theoretically respected and practically despised. 
The Turks call him a Burma, a twister, a turncoat, and no one either 
trusts him or believes in his sincerity.” 
