Wilkinson, John Gardner: Topographie of Thebes, and general view of Egypt: being a short account of the principal objects worthy of notice in the valley of the Nile, to the second cataracte and Wadi Samneh, with the Fyoom, Oases and eastern desert, from Sooez to Bertenice (London, 1835)

Chap. VI.] THE PORT OF BOOLAQ. 295

among the seven wonders of the world; but in later
times considered, by Pliny and Voltaire, monu-
ments of vanity and oppression.

After passing the palace of Shoobra, the distinct
appearance of the minarets announces his approach
to the city, and he soon enters a crowd of boats
before the custom-house of Boolaq.

This town, the port of Qaherah, may contain a
population of about five thousand souls; but the
increase of commercial speculation will no doubt
speedily augment this number, provided the Pasha
endeavours to encourage the industry of his people.
The duties on exports and imports from and to
Alexandria is here levied, but those on goods
from Upper Egypt are received at the port of Musr
el Ateekeh, the whole being farmed by some
wealthy Copt or Armenian merchant. At Boolaq
is the palace of the late Ismail Pasha, whose im-
prudence in the province of Shendy cost him his
life.

He had ventured, with a small suite of about
fifty persons, into the heart of the country of Melek
Nimr, and had ordered a considerable number of
blacks to be levied for the service of his father,
Mohammed Ali, within the short space of three
days; and on the Ethiopian requesting a longer
period, he struck him on the mouth with his pipe,
adding insult to the blow. The wily Nimr dis-
sembled his feelings, and by pretended respect and
concern for the comfort of so distinguished a guest,
he engaged him to pass the night on shore, when