a great many people. This wall was never very high, and had
gone to rain in many places, but the french repaired it as well as
they were able, while they were in possession of the place. In
it are three or four very grand gates, that were built by the ma-
malukes. The workmanship of them is very good, and, amid all
the simplicity of the architecture, every one must be struck with
the magnificence that appears in them. Of one of these we have
given a view, which will enable the reader to form a ju st idea of
their style.
The streets of Cairo are narrow, irregular, unpaved, and almost
destitute of beauty. The houses are generally built round a
court, toward which they make the best appearance, in the outside
facing the street nothing but use being considered, and all
their ornament being reserved for the saloons within. Unlike the
european, who is desirous of rendering the appearance of his mansion
pleasing to others, the jealous and selfish mussulman would
keep all his pleasures to himself, and gratify no eyes but his own.
His outer wall, built below of stone, and above with a sort of
framework, sometimes filled up with unburned bricks, and having
no windows, or a few placed without order, can afford no agreeable
object to the passenger, of whom he is perfectly regardless.
Though the streets of Cairo are narrow, it is not without some
squares, which are large irregular places, partaking of the general
character of the city, except that they are spacious. The view of
the great square exhibits no unfavourable picture of them, when
the waters of the Nile, with which the ground was covered during
the inundation, have retired, and given place to a cheerful