found.
The people devote themselves to agriculture, the rearing of bees, and
poultry; they also carry on an important trade with other countries.
Most of the Egyptians are strong, of a tawny complexion, and of a gay
disposition. They luxuriate in water; and esteem it the height of
enjoyment to sit by a fountain, smoking their pipes; they are
excessively fond of bathing. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a large
city, with irregular unpaved streets, and brick houses, with flat
roofs. There are a good many small manufactories; and some schools, a
printing-office, and a large library. There are numerous magnificent
fountains in the city, which are indispensable on account of the
intense heat; and more than a thousand shops for selling cups of
coffee, of which the Egyptians are very fond; these coffee shops are
called _rahwehs_. All along the river Nile the banks show signs of
industry; cotton, tobacco, and other produce being grown down to the
water's edge. The Pyramids of Egypt, the time of the building of which
is not known, are considered one of the wonders of the world.
* * * * *
The Greeks have sent some fine stuffs; their silk manufactures are
really beautiful, and their sculptures and feather-fans are splendid.
Greece was a famous country long, long ago, in ancient history, but it
has undergone many sad changes, and was for a long time ruled by the
Turks. The English, French, and Russians rid it from Turkish hands;
but its present government is weak and imperfect, for the numerous
petty chiefs pursue a wicked system of robbery, fighting, and tyranny.
Indeed, many of these chiefs have fitted out vessels as pirate ships,
in order to seize and plunder any other vessels weaker than their own
with which they may fall in. There are, however, many wealthy Greek
merchants; and a number of rich Jews live in various parts of Greece.
The Greek people are beautiful and graceful. The women have fine oval
faces, their eyes are large and dark, their eyebrows and hair are of
deep shining black, and their complexions are mostly pale. They are
very splendid in their dresses; the costume of the men is extremely
like that of the Turks. From having been so long subject, however, to
their Turkish rulers, the Greeks have become artful and cunning.
The rich ladies and nobles of Greece have fine young slaves to wait
upon them, and amuse them by singing or dancing. These slaves are
bought from the Tartars,
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