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

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. Ipj
columns lay dispersed on the ground. According to a tradition
maintained by the inhabitants of Gaza, they had been conveyed,
thither by a Sangiac in die course of the last century To the
eastward of the town I perceived also the ruins of several works
which had been blown up by the French at the time they took
possession of Gaza. During their stay
there I was informed that
the plague swept off five hundred of their men. Their inroad into
Syria was indeed marked by disasters of almost every description,
not less than twelve thousand of their best troops having, accord-
ing to authentic accounts, perished either by the sword, by disease,
by hunger, or bv fatigue.
When at Gaza I paid a visit to the governor, by whom I was
very politely entertained. He was indisposed,
as was likewise his
son, who laboured under ophthalmia, a disease which I observed
to be very prevalent among the inhabitants, many of whom were
led through the streets totally
blind.
The suburbs and environs of Gaza are rendered infinitely agree-
able
by
a number of large gardens,
cultivated with the nicest care,
which lie in a direction north and south of the town ; while others
of the same descriptioa run to a considerable distance westward.
The numerous plantations of olive and date-trees which are inter-
spersed, contribute greatly to the picturesque effect of the scene exhibited
by the surrounding plains. These, on our arrival, were
overspread with flowers, the variegated colours of which displayed
every tint and every hue. Among these were the chrysanthemum,
scarlet ranunculus, lupin, pheasant eye, tulip, chinaaster, dwarf
iris, lentil, daisy, &c. all of them growing wild and abundantly,
with the exception of the lupin, which was cultivated in patches
regularly ploughed and sowed, with a view to collect the seeds,
which the inhabitants employ at their meals, more especially
to
thicken their ragouts. The few corn fields which lav at a distance
displayed the promise of a rich golden harvest; and the view of the
sea, distant about a league, tended to diversify still more the animated
features of this luxuriant scene.
If a deficiency could be urged, not of the bounties which nature
had bestowed, but arising from the improvidence of rhe cultivators,
it was that of the grasses, which ought to have been sown from
time to time to render the pasturage good and nourishing for the
cattle. In the state, however, in which we found the plots surrounding
the encampment, our half famished beasts found some
solace and refreshment.
( *5 )