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from upper Egypt to the capital; and some of the beys and other
principal inhabitants of Cairo have a sort of country houses in it,
to which they retire, when the Nile is at it’s height. There is
nothing in it worthy notice, except perhaps Joseph’s granary, as it
is called, for the people here are inclined to ascribe every thing
extraordinary to Joseph. This is a large square, surrounded by
a wall, with several partitions, in which the com brought from
different parts of Egypt, and paid as a tax to the grand signior, is
deposited. As this granary is entirely open at the top, the corn
is not only exposed to the weather, but to the depredations of the
pigeons and other birds, that feed on it unmolested, and leave
their dung in return for the grain they carry away. The doors
have only wooden fastenings; but the officers who have the charge
of the granary, after they shut a door, affix to it their seal on a
handful of clay, which they use instead of wax. This building,
notwithstanding it’s name, has no claim to antiquity. The walls
are modern, partly of freestone, but chiefly of bricks and clay,
such as are every day used at New Cairo.
Between Old and New Cairo another city was built, called
Kebaseh, which has been since destroyed, but it’s rains are still
to be seen.
New Cairo stands about a mile from the river, and stretches
near two miles eastward to the mountains. It’s circumference is
about seven miles; though it is said to have been larger, when it
was the centre of trade from the East Indies. A wall of stone
surrounds it, on which are handsome battlements, and at the distance
of every hundred paces very fine towers, capable of holding