The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. XXVI. A View of Aegypt, and the Provin∣ces thereof, as also of the Trade, Commodities, Coyns, Weights, Mea∣sures and Customs.

ON the East Egypt is bounded by the Red Sea, on the South with Aasia on the West with Cyrene, and on the North with the Mediterranean Sea, and Watered with the Fruitful River Nilus; which di∣viding it self into 7 Channels, and about the middle of June. Annually overfloweth it's Banks, and continues so to do for 4 days, laying all under Water; by Reason of which the Towns are seated upon Hills; and during the Inundation, their Com∣merce is by Skiffs and Boats.

This River is in Length 3000 Miles, and when it over-flows not, it portenteth some fatal disaster to the King or King∣dom;

and by this means the Land is Fer∣tilized, for as for Rain there is none. The chief Places of Traffick are Alexan∣dria, a famous Sea-Port, founded by A∣lexander the great, and Cairo commonly cal∣led Grand-Cairo, and in these Center the Trade of the whole Country. Therefore o∣mitting Places of lesser note, I shall on∣ly take a View of these two Cities, and their Commerce, with such as Trade in those parts, and first of Alexandria.

Alexandria first founded by Alexander the Great, in Expedition to Conquer the World, is the chief Maritim City of Egypt, and from all parts of the Kingdom are thi∣ther brought Flax, Hemp, Hony, Wax, Rice, Balsoms, Dates, Drugs, and Spices; and the Country in general produceth a∣bundance of Palm Trees, besides hither are brought the Plenty of Arabia, India, and Persia; as Spices, Drugs, Silks, &c. so that the Custom-House is accountable yearly for great Summs of Gold.

The nature of the Palm Trees that grow in that Country is this, they always grow in Cupples twisted, or twined, viz. Male and Female, the Female Palm only bears Fruit, and that not without the Male, for if the Male Palm be cut away, the Fe∣male will not bear; the Fruit is Cods with

Seed, and pleasant Juice, the Pith of these Trees is excellent in tast, and very nou∣rishing; of the Leaves, they make Fans, Mats, and Baskets; of the outward Husks of the Cod Cordage, and of the inward Brushes; the Fruit they bear is like a Fig which serves the Inhabitants for Meat green, and dryed for Bread.

The Weights used here are four sorts, first the Quintar of Zera, second the Quin∣tar of Forfor, third the Quintar of Zaidin, the fourth the Quintar of Mina; the first is found to be English 112 pounds, the second 93 pounds English, the third 134 pounds English, the fourth the 167 pounds English, Averdupois Weight.

The Measures are two-fold, viz. the Pico Barbaresco, which is used for the Mea∣suring of Cloath, both Linnen, and Wool∣len, and is in Length 25 ⅞ English Inches; and the Pico Turchesco, with which is Mea∣sured Silks, fine Stuffs, Cloath of Gold, &c. and is found to be 22 ¼ English Inch∣es; as for wet and dry Measures, they are of little use, the Customs being to sell by Weight for the most part.