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froni the spring, which is at the bottom of a second well, a hundred
and thirty feet deep, and containing about nine or ten feet of
water. This second well is less than the former, it’s opening being
only fifteen feet long, by nine broad. There is a descent to the bottom
of this likewise by steps cut round it; but these are only three
feet and half broad, and have no partition between them and the
well, and the roof is only six feet high. The water of this well,
being drawn up from the subterranean reservoir to another at the
surface, is distributed all over the castle by a multitude of pipes;
b ut as it is brackish, it is employed only for ordinary purposes, a
sufficient supply of the water of the Nile being brought by an aqueduct
from Old Cairo: though if this were cut off by an enemy,
the well would be a valuable resource to a besieged garrison.
In the city of Cairo are several baths, some of them very
handsome within; and these are much frequented, not only oh
account of the religion of the mohammedans, which enjoins frequent
ablutions, but as they are extremely agreeable in such a
climate: There are some baths devoted entirely to the use of the
women; and in such as are common to both sexes it is usual to
set apart certain times for their admission, during which men are
strictly excluded. The women are particularly fond of them, arid
commonly spend the greater part of the day at the bath once or
twice a week, being glad of a pretence to escape from their con-
fineirient, and exhibit their finery, or gossip with one another.
This is an enjoyment, however, of which the wives of the great
are deprived, for their husbands take care to have baths fitted up
for them iri their own "houses.