And such splendid articles as they are! Persia, you know, is a rich and fertile country, near Russia, in Asia; but although it has many beautiful flowers and fruits, yet is there very little timber; owing to which they have no shipping. The Persians delight in fine clothes on which they lavish the greater part of their money, and they are fonder of scarlet, or crimson, than of any other colour. They are very skilful in dyeing, in making silks, shagreen, morocco, gold and silver ornaments; and they form excellent swords and weapons. Their commerce with Turkey, China, Arabia, and other places, is carried on by means of what they call "caravans," which are large companies of merchants, who travel together for the sake of security from thieves, by whom however, they are often robbed; these companies have frequently more than a thousand camels, to carry their luggage and their goods; and in consequence of the excessive heat, they are obliged to journey mostly in the early morning, and rest during the day. The Persians live chiefly on rice, fruit, and coffee, and eat very little meat; they luxuriate in baths, and the poorest amongst them endeavour to have a horse. They use the Turkish language, and are nearly all Mahometans; they used to worship the sun and fire, though very few continue to do so still. The Persian ladies never appear in the streets or any other public place, without having long veils, in order to conceal their faces, as the Turkish ladies do. The Persians are very like the Turks in their manners and customs, which I described to you before. Egypt was, formerly, a mighty empire, and had rich and haughty kings, who adorned it with magnificent temples and palaces. I dare say you remember what you have read of it in the history of Joseph and his brethren, and in that of Moses. It was here that Solomon built his magnificent and gorgeous Temple. It is now, however, an exceedingly mean country, and is governed by a Turkish Pacha, whose grandfather contrived to make himself master of Egypt, as well as of Syria and Palestine. The climate of Egypt is excessively hot,--in fact, the nights in spring are the only pleasant part of the year. The nights in autumn are also very fine,--even delicious; and the rays of the moon are so bright that the natives, who sleep in the open air, cover their eyes to prevent their being injured by the brilliancy. The greater portion of the land is covered with burning sands; but wherever the waters of the river Nile have been conducted by canals, and allowed to flow over the country, the earth becomes fertile, and fruits thrive luxuriantly. There are but few garden flowers, but roses are extensively cultivated, the attar of roses forming an article of commerce.