Letters of an African Traveller. 376 



But why do not you come also to admire the genius of the 

 nations who figured from time to time on this planet ? 



In fifteen months, and about 7,000 miles, I have passed 

 through the Mediterranean, Misraim, Nubia, Kedar, Idumea, 

 Philistia, Judea, Samaria, Galilee,^ Phoenicia, Cilicia, Syria, 

 and Mesopotamia, having seen the sea of Pentapolis, have 

 drank that of Tiberias, and the Nile, the Jordan, Orontes, 

 and Euphrates ; have ascended the Pyramids, Sion, Gerizim, 

 Tabor, Libanus, and Carmel, and have reposed in the tombs of 

 Thebes, amongst the Cataracts of Nubia, and upon the dust of 

 Memphis, Heliopolis, Ashkelon, Tyre, Sidon, Balbek, Palmyra, 

 Samaria, and Jerusalem. 



Would it not be a precious thing for posterity one day to 

 read, Canova in Egypt, Canova in Syria, Canova in Palmyra ! 



Oh no ! pardon the flights of a mind for a moment from the 

 sacred centre of its country, but which returned to itself, 

 sends forth a vow that posterity may read alone ; Canova in 

 Italy, Canova upon the Tiber, Canova in Rome !!.' 



Amiro. 



Second Letter of Amiro to Canova. 



Upon Mount Sinah, May 8, 1819. 

 Sublime Genius! 



I WRITE to you from the most memorable heights in the 



universe, but hear how I came here. 



Having closed the letter, I directed to you from the ruins of 

 Palmyra, I followed the silent contemplation of those remark- 

 able remains, and under the protection of the hospitality of 

 the modern Palmyrenes, who are the best Arabs I know of, I 

 passed hours joyful and tranquil. 



Their questions turned upon Bonehorte (Bonaparte) and my 

 Lady Stanhope ; the former they remembered from his expe- 

 dition into Soria, for the fame of him resounded greatly amongst 

 them, and the latter for the prodigality displayed in the journey 

 she undertook in the desert. 



Their curiosity, and my own being satisfied, I continued 

 my journey with my guide, and arrived at Damascus. Thence, 



