May 28, I860.] OBITUARY.— LT.-COL. LEAKE. 131 



making a general survey of that country, as well in regard to its 

 military and geographical, as to its political and commercial state. 

 The results of these labours were a map of the course of the Nile, 

 from the Cataracts to the sea, a determination of most of the ancient 

 sites, a description of all the monuments of antiquity contained in 

 that space, together with a large collection of observations on the 

 agricultural and commercial state of the country : an account of 

 this journey was published by Mr. Hamilton in 1809. 



In 1802 Captain Leake revisited Syria, and continued there 

 the researches on which he had been employed in Egypt ; and on 

 his return home, having embarked on board the vessel in which 

 Mr. Hamilton was conveying the Elgin Marbles to England, he was 

 wrecked off the Island of Cerigo, and narrowly escaped with his 

 life. 



The acquaintance with Oriental politics and habits, which he had 

 acquired during this service, was doubtless the cause of his subse- 

 quent selection for an important mission to the European provinces 

 of Turkey. He received orders from His Majesty's Government to 

 undertake a survey of the coasts and interior of that country, to 

 examine its fortresses and means of defence, to point out their 

 deficiencies to the native Governors and Chiefs, and advise for 

 their improvement; and on that service he repaired in the 

 year 1804. 



From 1804 to the winter of 1806 he travelled considerably, in 

 pursuance of his instructions, in Northern Greece and the Morea, 

 and while he performed the important duties of his mission in a 

 manner that gave entire satisfaction to the Home authorities, his 

 peculiar tastes and talents for research received full development 

 in a country where every daj^'s journey produced an historical or 

 topographical problem, which it taxed his erudition and critical 

 acumen to solve ; and where his thorough knowledge of ancient 

 Greek enabled him to decipher obscure inscriptions, which led to 

 the identification of many a ruined site. 



The occurrence of hostilities, at the end of 1806, between Eng- 

 land and the Porte prevented him from prosecuting his travels. 

 He was detained as a prisoner at Salonica, whence, however, he 

 escaped ; and finding his way to Malta, he proceeded to England 

 for the restoration of his health. Subsequently, he was again em- 

 ployed by His Majesty's Government in Greece till 1809 ; and it 

 was on the observations made with so much keenness and per- 

 severance during these years, from 1804 to 1809, extended by 



