JOHN LEDYARD. 323 



are certainly more captivating from the contrast of 

 the deserts and forlorn prospects around them. ~No 

 man of whatever turn of mind can see the whole, 

 without retiring from the scene with a Sic transit 

 gloria mundi." 



Having passed ten days only at Alexandria, he 

 pursued his journey up the Nile to Cairo, where he 

 arrived on the 19th of August. Here again he 

 wrote to Mr. Jefferson : 



" I sent you a short letter from Alexandria. I 

 begin this without knowing where I shall close it, 

 or when I shall send it, or, indeed, whether I shall 

 ever send it. But I will have it ready in case an 

 opportunity shall offer. Having been in Cairo only 

 four days, I have not seen much of particular inte- 

 rest for you ; and, indeed, you will not expect much 

 of this kind from me. My business is in another 

 quarter, and the information I seek totally new. 

 Any thing from this place would not be so. 



" At all events, I shall never want a subject when 

 it is to you I write. I shall never think my letter 

 an indifferent one, when it contains the declaration 

 of my gratitude and my affection for you ; and this, 

 notwithstanding you thought hard of me for being 

 employed by an English association, which hurt me 

 much while I was at Paris. You know your own 

 heart; and, if my suspicions are groundless, forgive 



