detachments Ifmael had fent, they came, in 1777, and encamped near Gifa. The Sheik El Balad left the caftle, at the head of a numerous army, to prevent their paffing the Nile. While the armies were in fight of each other, the generals reciprocally fent deputies, and fpoke of accommodation. Ifmael, fearing the impetuous valour of Mourad, and the prudence of Ibrahim, would not rifque his fortune on the fate of a battle, and offered them their rank as members of the republic. Peace, accordingly, was figned, and they entered the capital, preceded by the Arab prince, who, on a stately horfe, marched at the head of his cavalry, armed with fabres and lances. After three days stay at Grand Cairo, and feeing the purpose of his coming effected, he returned to his principality, loaded with prefents and promifes. This reconciliation was not fincere. Ifmael had invited his enemies that he might destroy them without fighting, and, poffeffed of wealth and power, thought his defign might eafily be accomplished. Dangers furrounded the new Beys, and great addrefs was neceffary to efcape the fnares laid for them. In 1778, the Sheik El Balad, fear

ing, should he attack them in their palaces, where they were on their guard, the people would rife in defence of the remains of the house of Ali, in conjunction with the Pacha and his partizans, determined to maffacre them, the first day they should come to the Divan. They were informed of this plot, and escaped, during night, into Upper Egypt, fortified themselves in Girga, called in the Arabs, and refolutely waited for the enemy. Ifmael fent a body of horse to pursue them, whom the fugitives defeated. He then came himfelf, with thirty thousand men, and, confident in his ftrength, fuppofed victory certain; but the cunning Ibrahim employed the fame trick which had been fo ferviceable to Abou Dahab. Knowing Ifmael's avarice, and that the pay of his troops was bad, he offered one much more confiderable, with a promise to promote the officers. Nothing more was necessary to feduce a part of those mercenary troops, who always fell themfelves to the best bidders. Ifmael no fooner perceived himself abandoned than he hastily fled to Grand Cairo, loaded fifty camels with gold, filver, and his most precious effects, and, efeaping across the ifthmus, took refuge

N 4

refuge in Syria. Ever fince, the wretch, justly punished for having betrayed his friend and mafter, has dragged a miferable being through the various provinces of the Ottoman empire. I have been affured that, going to Conftantinople, and depending on the promises of the Porte, whofe authority he had re-established in Egypt, the Divan, having feized his treafures, gave him up to his miferable fate.

Ifmael being gone, Ibrahim and Mourad became mafters of the kingdom, entered Grand Cairo in triumph, and were received joyfully by the people. One appointed himfelf Sheik El Balad, and the other Emir Hadge. Their first business was to depofe the Pacha, who had imprudently been of the contrary faction, and declared them enemies of the Grand Seignior. The emiffary in black came to his apartment, turned up the carpet, and the Pacha, immediately, retired to Boulac, where he waited for orders from Conftantinople. The new governor came, and they next proceeded to create their Mamluks Beys; at the nomination of whom, I, by means of my Turkish dress, was prefent. The Sangiaks flood at the

bottom

bottom of the council-hall, near the grate of the Pacha, and the people crowded the reft of the apartment. Having given the Kiaya the names of thofe they meant to appoint, he read them aloud, cloathed the new Sangiaks with the caftan, prefented them the firman, and proclaimed them Beys. The ceremony ended, they conducted the Sheik El Balad and the Emir Hadge, in pomp, to their palaces. The proceffion was grand, Ibrahim and Mourad, riding horfes befpangled with gold and diamonds, faluted the people, on their right and left, who, making a lane for them, re-echoed their names with fhouts, wishing them all manner of profperity. The two chiefs continually scattered handfuls of medins, piaftres, and fèquins, which were as eagerly picked up by the Egyptians. Six hundred Mamluks, magnificently cloathed, and mounted on horfes richly caparifoned, went before them. The Janiffaries, Affabs, and different bodies of troops, followed in good order. This lafted two hours, and more than four hundred thoufand men were fpectators. I was furprised a herd fo numerous should voluntarily fubmit to seven or eight thousand foreigners, whofe only employment

ployment is to rob, opprefs, and crush them. But the natives of Egypt, gentle, peaceable, and feeble, appear deftined for eternal flavery; bending for ages under the yoke of defpotism, they submit to every evil without a ftruggle were they under a mild government, they would be the happiest people on earth; for not all the miferies they endure can tear them from a country which they paffionately love.

Ibrahim and Mourad, having driven Ifmael from Grand Cairo, refolved to extinguish the embers of his house. Hassan Bey they particularly feared, who, by his generofity, juftice, and valour, had gained the favour of all ranks. Unable to destroy him by art, they employed open force; and directed a fix-gun battery against his palace, whither he had retired, diftributing troops in the neighbourhood to attack him on every fide. Haffan with his Mamluks courageously defended himself, and repelled all their affaults. The noise of artillery spread confternation, war was made in the streets and from the roofs of the houfes, buildings were beat down, the tumult of the combatants every where heard, and the cries of the wretched

who