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Es pi-Description 1787

LETTERS

QN

EGYPT,

CONTAINING,

A Parallel between the Manners of its ancient
and modern Inhabitants, its Commerce,
Agriculture, Government and Religion;

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Souadi defcribed, on the east of which are two ancient monafteries, furrounded by the ruins which denote the fcite of Crocodilopolis. Obfervations on Menchia, and the ancient Ptolemais of Hermes, the ruins of which are not far diftant; with the ftate of the neighbouring country. Remarks on Girga, the capital of Upper Egypt, and on Abydus, which ftands to the weft. The famous temple of Ofiris, into which fingers and muficians were forbidden to enter, is at this place. Remarks on Farchout, and its delightful orchards. The ruins of Tentyra, near Dendera, and the hatred of its ancient inhabitants to crocodiles.

To M. L. M.

Grand Cairo, 1779.

LEAVE we the town of Achmim, and

the ferpent Haridi, and let us cross the Nile,

VOL. II.

B

where

where we shall fee the little town of Souadi, governed by a Cachef. Proceeding weftward we find two Coptic

the entrance of the defert.

monasteries, at

Their churches are ornamented by Corinthian columns, with a crofs in the center of the capital, and paved with red granite, in which numerous hieroglyphics are fculptured. Their architecture betokens the decay of taste among the Greeks, and they are fuppofed to have been built by the Emprefs Helena. Various antique marbles are scattered over the space that divides them, which indicate the fcite of Crocodilopolis (y). This city was diftant from the river, and Ptolemy places it near Aphroditopolis, or the city of Venus.

This

Turning to the fouth east, we cross a plain fhaded by various trees, abounding in corn, and interfected by rivulets. leads to the little town of Menchia, which has a large mofque, and a confiderable market. The Bazars are provided with commodities of all kinds, and a conferve of wheat is to be had here, much eftcemed in

(y) Ptolemy, 1. 4. This is a fecond city of that name; the first flood near Fayoum, and was better known by the name of Arfinoe.

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