Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. I49
his tent, wc were invited by the Vizier to see the Turkish practice
or cutting a large roll of felt, nearly ten inches in diameter, mois-
tened, and suspended by a cord. On this roll of felt several good
cuts were made, but one only by which it was completely severed
into two parts. This extraordinary atchievement, to effect which
must have required great address combined with a long practice,
was rewarded by a suitable present.
We found the Kia Bey to be a very agreeable and pleasant man,
of about forty-five years of age. Before and after our dinner, which
was served up with much taste and neatness, pipes, coffee, an. I other
refreshments, were handed to us; and ao attention spared to demon-
strate the kind and friendly disposition of our host.
Colonel Murr-aj embarked on the 13th on board, the Camelion
sloop of war for Macri. He was accompanied by Major Fletcher,
of the royal engineers, charged with despatches to Sir luilph Abcr-
crombie.
On die 15th the Vizier shifted the site of his encampment to a
spot on the other side of Jaffa, distant about an hour's journey,
or three miles, from the ancient ground. His Highness, and
principal officers, accompanied bv the different corps of troops
under their respective commanders, moved with great ceremony
to occupy the new ground of encampment. We followed his
example on the 16th, and pitched our tents on an eminence, covered
with a white and clear sand, and commanding: a fine view of
the sea.
The Turkish sick, who were very numerous, and among whom
so great a mortality prevailed, that, on the morning of the 15th,
no less than
fifty
dead bodies passed in front of our encampment,
were left behind. Many thousands of men, alas ! had
already perished,
and many othets were still doomed to destruction, through
the superstitious prejudices and culpable neglect of their rulers,
who had spurned at every admonition to take the necessary precau-
tions for their safety. The ground which the Turkish soldiery
had quitted, exhibited a melancholy scene, the horrors of which
were heightened bv the great numbers of carcasses of camels,
horses, asses, and dogs (among whom also an epidemical dis-
ease had recently broken out), with which the earth was abun-
dantly strewed. It was now left to vomit forth the abundance of
putrid animal matter with which it had been so long surcharged.
On our fixing ourselves on the new ground of encampment, so
much firing was kept up by the Turkish military, the balls from