merce
with Turkey, China, Arabia, and other places, is carried on by means
of what they call "caravans," which are large companies of merchants,
who travel together for the sake of security from thieves, by whom
however, they are often robbed; these companies have frequently more
than a thousand camels, to carry their luggage and their goods; and in
consequence of the excessive heat, they are obliged to journey mostly
in the early morning, and rest during the day. The Persians live
chiefly on rice, fruit, and coffee, and eat very little meat; they
luxuriate in baths, and the poorest amongst them endeavour to have a
horse. They use the Turkish language, and are nearly all Mahometans;
they used to worship the sun and fire, though very few continue to do
so still. The Persian ladies never appear in the streets or any other
public place, without having long veils, in order to conceal their
faces, as the Turkish ladies do. The Persians are very like the Turks
in their manners and customs, which I described to you before.

Egypt was, formerly, a mighty empire, and had rich and haughty kings,
who adorned it with magnificent temples and palaces. I dare say you
remember what you have read of it in the history of Joseph and his
brethren, and in that of Moses. It was here that Solomon built his
magnificent and gorgeous Temple. It is now, however, an exceedingly
mean country, and is governed by a Turkish Pacha, whose grandfather
contrived to make himself master of Egypt, as well as of Syria and
Palestine. The climate of Egypt is excessively hot,--in fact, the
nights in spring are the only pleasant part of the year. The nights in
autumn are also very fine,--even delicious; and the rays of the moon
are so bright that the natives, who sleep in the open air, cover their
eyes to prevent their being injured by the brilliancy. The greater
portion of the land is covered with burning sands; but wherever the
waters of the river Nile have been conducted by canals, and allowed to
flow over the country, the earth becomes fertile, and fruits thrive
luxuriantly. There are but few garden flowers, but roses are
extensively cultivated, the attar of roses forming an article of
commerce.

There are many valuable minerals found in the earth; and beautiful
marble, alabaster, salt, alum, and other useful things. The woods,
marshes, plains, and rivers supply a variety of animals, most of them
wild and ferocious. It was in Egypt that the Hippopotamus was