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@pinion: "Egypt and Ethiopia," says he, "have been stigmaized in every age as the original source and seminary of the plague. In a damp, hot, stagnating air, this African fever is generated from the putrefaction of animal substances," &c. This assertion, however, appears entirely erroneous. The historian seems indeed to prove, from the testimony of various authors, that the plague which so dreadfully depopulated the earth, in the reign of Justinian, made its first appearance in the Delta, near the Pelusian bank of the Nile. From the most accurate modern inquiries, however, it appears that the plague is not indigenous in Egypt, and that it is always introduced into that country from Constantinople or Smyrna. By a series of judicious remarks, Mr. Antes seems to prove that this dreadful disorder does not proceed from any corruption in the air, that it is communicated solely by contact, and that consequently persons shutting themselves up in their houses, and avoiding the touch of any thing infected, may live without danger in the midst of a city, where the plague is making the greatest ravages. From this it is evident that it cannot proceed from the air, nor be endemial to any climate. Melancholy experience also proves that no country is exempt from its attacks. A person may have this dreadful malady any number of times. Mr. Antes knew one who died of the seventh attack. But what appears the most extraordinary is, that the extremes both of heat and cold are totally adverse to its progress. In Constantinople it is commonly suspended, and always much mitigated by the cold in winter; and in Cairo it is quite extirpated by the heats of summer. After the 24th of June, the plague, how violent soever may have been its ravages, ceases in Egypt.§ After that day there is seldom an instance of any attack of that disorder. Some have attributed this to the overflowing of the Nile; but Mr. Antes shews, from authentic facts, that any extraordinary degree of heat, even at an ear

* Gibbon's Dec. Rom. Emp. ch. 43.

† See the numerous authorities quoted by Gibbon, ubi supra. Gibbon seems to rely much on Dr. Mead, whose treatise on the plague I have not seen. Browne, however, says, that Mead traces the origin of the plague to Ethiopia, where it was never known to exist. Trav. p. 370.

Antes Observat. p. 45.-Browne's Trav. p. 369. § Antes Observat. p. 43.

EGYPT.

lier season, produces a similar effect. The ophthalmia, which often terminates in total blindness, seems chiefly to be caused by the fine sand floating in the air, and perhaps still more by exposure to the nocturnal dews, and by sleeping on the ground. It appears, indeed, that many of the disorders which prevail in Egypt arise from an incautious exposure to cold after excessive heat. Antes even observes, that as the climate of Egypt is one of the most regular, so it is one of the most salubrious on the face of the globe, and that the inhabitants frequently attain to the age of 100 years.‡

Vegetable productions.]-The inundated plains of the Delta supply abundance of nourriture for cattle; and the cultivated grounds in all parts of the country are not less productive of grain. Egypt and Sicily were esteemed the granaries of ancient Rome, when that imperial mistress of the world teemed with an immense population: and until the Saracen conquest, the numerous inhabitants of Constantinople were supplied with grain chiefly from the port of Alexandria. But Egypt is no longer cultivated with the same skill and assiduity as under the Pharaohs, the Ptolemies, and the Romans. At the end of October the lands become gradually dry; the lower grounds about a month later. They are then ploughed and cross-ploughed. Wheat and barley are then sown. Rye and oats are unknown. Barley is ripe in the end of February: wheat at the end of March. To the corn-harvest, succeeds that of garden herbs and after these, cucumbers and banica. As no respite is allowed to the land, so no space, however small, is suffered to remain uncultivated. Even the beds of the canals are transformed into gardens. "The common in

* Antes Observat. p. 44.

† Browne's Travels, p. 361 to 366.-Antes Observat. p. 103.

Antes, p. 89. Moses, however, threatened the Israelites, in case of their disobedience, with the evil diseases of Egypt, which would excite a suspicion that the country was, in his day, reckoned unhealthful; and the botch of Egypt, which he mentions, excites an idea of the plague. § Maillet Descrip. de l'Egypt, lib. 1.

|| Flora Egyptiaca. ap. Browne. Appen. No. 4. This, however, must be understood only of some particular places, as the decrease of population confirms the general evidence of historians and travellers on the decline of Egyptian agriculture.

crease is seventeen for one. Wheat produces ten fold: bar ley fifteen. The rich product is therefore the result of the crops being continued without interruption, and not of the extraordinary multiplication of the grain." The Delta produces abundance of rice of the best quality. Egypt, especially the Thebaid, produces great plenty of the finest flax, as well as abundance of wheat.* The Egyptian onions, the best in the world, have been famous from the time of the egress of the Israelites, and at this day are a favourite article of food with all classes of the people.t

cess.

The various kinds of cucumbers, melons, and gourds, are brought to great perfection, and compose an important part of the food of the inhabitants. The most exquisite fruits of southern Europe, such as the almond, the orange, the pome granate, the fig, the peach, &c. are cultivated with great sucThe sugar-cane is also plentifully produced. But the date is the principal object of Egyptian agriculture. The trees are generally planted about eighteen feet asunder. When tender, they are covered with mats; and about the seventh year they produce fruit. The papyras, famous in the annals of literature, no longer adorns the banks of the Nile; but the lotus, or water lily, of a pure white, or cœrulean blue, which, on the retreat of the inundation, covers all the canals and shallow pools, enlivens the Egyptian landscape. Among the trees, the sycamore, which grows with vigour even on the sandy frontiers of the desert, is valuable for its fruit as well as its depth of shade, The cypress overshades the burialgrounds. In Upper Egypt, the tamarisk grows to great per fection, and to an enormous size. The pistachia, and the Oriental plane, adorn the shores of the Delta; and, as well as the date, are cultivated in the vicinity of most of the towns. The constant repetition of these, particularly in the vicinity of Alexandria, becomes tedious; but around Rosetta, or as it is now called by the Arabs, Raschid, the orange groves present an agreeable variety. The total absence of woods is a peculiar

Ibid. Appen. No. 4.

* Browne's Trav. p. 135. † Ibid. p. 136. § Denon speaks of a tamarisk of an enormous size on the banks of the Nile, in Upper Egypt. Trav. vol. 2. p.

99.

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EGYPT.

feature in the aspect of this country. Either from the nature of the soil and climate, or what is more likely, from the early progress and assiduous pursuit of agriculture, Egypt has, in all ages, been destitute of what is properly called timber. Wood, indeed, is of less use in Egypt than in many other countries, as little has ever been used in their buildings; and the heat of the climate renders only a small quantity of fuel necessary.

Zoology.]-The Egyptian horses are excellent, the breed being undoubtedly introduced from Arabia. The asses are also large and fine animals. On these the Christians ride, being not permitted to mount on horseback. Egypt also abounds in horned cattle, mostly black, of which great numbers are employed in working the machines for watering the ground. That useful animal, the camel, if not a native, is at least naturalized in Egypt. Dogs are exceedingly numerous. They are not entertained in the houses, but constantly prowl about in the streets, having no owners, and may therefore more properly be classed among wild than domestic animals; but cats, which are also in great numbers, are well treated. Among the wild animals may be reckoned the hyena, the jackal, and several others. The gazelle is also not uncommon, especially in the Upper Egypt. In regard to volatiles, the country abounds with pigeons and poultry. The mode of hatching chickens in ovens, without incubation, has been minutely de scribed by numerous travellers, and, among others, with great perspicuity by Mr. Browne.* Among the wild volatiles, the ibis was particularly noted by the ancients; but it seems now to have deserted the country, as it is no longer seen by modern travellers.

Natural curiosities.]-The principal natural curiosities of Egypt, are its singular topography, and the peculiarities of its soil and climate. The whole assemblage of these give a peculiar appearance to an Egyptian landscape.

Antiquties.The artificial curiosities of this celebrated country, consisting of its stupendous remains of antiquity, form a copious subject, which has already occupied volumes of de

Travels in Egypt, &c. p. 83.

scription. Nothing therefore can here be expected, but such a glance at these monuments of art, as may excite a kind of general idea of their magnificence, and of the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Any attempt even to exhibit in a catalogue all the monuments of Egyptian greatness, which are found from Alexander to Syrene, would lead to a tedious prolixity, and they are all described by numerous travellers. The chief monuments to be seen in any degree of perfection at Alexandria, are Pompey's pillar, and Cleopatra's needle, names which seem to be imposed with little propriety. The former is by some supposed to have been erected in honour of the emperor Severus, while others ascribe it to Ptolemy Philadelphus ;* and a late traveller seems inclined to curtail its antiquity, by assigning its erection to the time of the Byzantine emperors, or even of the caliphs. These differences of opinion only serve to shew the uncertainty of antiquarian research. The pyramids have been so often described, that the theme has become obsolete. I may briefly say, that the largest of these enormous masses is near 500 feet in perpendicular height. The base, each side of which is equal to its sloping height, is an exact square of 660 feet, and consequently covers'ten acres of ground. The top, which to a spectator appears as a point, is a platform of sixteen feet square. It is said to have been incrusted with marble, but that covering is now stripped off, and it presents a rugged surface. The purpose for which these monstrous piles of stone have been heaped together, has excited some dispute among the learned. The greatest part of antiquaries and travellers have considered them as sepulchral monuments of the Pharaohs. Mr. Bryant, however, supposes them to have been solar temples.§ And Mr. Gabb, in an ingenious treatise, has endeavoured to prove that the great pyramid of Memphis, with the sarcophagus, or granite chest, has been solely designed as a perpetual standard of linear measure. It is not here a place to enter into a disquisition on the proba bilities attached to these different opinions. Denon seems to Dr. White's Egyptiaca, ap. Browne's Trav. p. 6.

† Denon's Trav. vol. 1. p. 99.

Maillet Descrip. de l'Egypt, p. 224, &c.

§ Bryant's Analys. Ancient Mythol. vol. 3. p. 530.
|| Gabb. Fin. Pyramid.

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