time in its history, with, an abundant water supply,* and
this — coupled with the various works ia connection with
the maritime Cana_, the docks, quays, and other local im-
provements — in less than ten years swelled the population
from 4,000 in 1859 to 16,000 in 1868. With the comple-
tion of the Canal, the activity of the place somewhat
decreased, and the population fell to 13,000, which the
gradual completion of the other works has since further
reduced to between 11,000 and 12,000 — composed, besides
natives, of Arabs from all parts of the eastern coast, Per-
sians, Indians, and the usual medley of Greeks, Levan-
tines, and Europeans, whom trade or labour has perma-
nently attracted to the town. Of this last itself-, a word
or two of description will suffice. The native quarter is
chiefly built of sun-dried bricks, and except in containing
four or five small mosques, a Greek church, and one or
two unpaved squares, or meidans, differs little from the
common run of large Egyptian villages. The Prefecture,
or government-house, is an imposing brick structure,
which groups withia its limits the residence of the gover-
nor, the chief police, telegraph, and other public offices,
and, on its northern front, the railway platform. North-
wards of this lie the substantial storehouses of the for-
eign steam companies, the water-works, the English and
French hospitals, and the fine hotel buUt in 1845 by the
Egyptian Government for the accommodation of overland
passengers, and which is now leased by the P. and O.
