MEMOIR OF BURCKHARDT. 119 



region which it described, and the greater facilities 

 for writing which he enjoyed. " This small country 

 (says he), so important to the history of mankind, 

 has never before been described in detail. The 

 commentary on the route of the Israelites, which I 

 have annexed to it, I submit with much diffidence 

 to the perusal of the Committee, as I cannot but 

 feel apprehensive, that what strikes me to be correct, 

 may not appear equally so to persons who have not 

 visited the desert, and have not travelled with the 

 Bedouins. Should my opinions meet with appro- 

 bation, I shall be particularly gratified in having 

 been able to elucidate some obscure points of early 

 history, and to vindicate the authenticity of the 

 sacred historian of the Beni Israel, who will never 

 be thoroughly understood, as long as we are not 

 minutely informed of every thing relative to the 

 Arabian Bedouins, and the country in which they 

 move and pasture." 



With regard to his opportunities for writing, his 

 explanation of that circumstance illustrates the 

 general mode in which he usually took notes during 

 all his travels. Even when accompanying numerous 

 caravans, he had never permitted any of his com- 

 panions to see him write, knowing that if their 

 suspicions were once raised, it would render them 

 less open in their communications with him. The 

 only instances in which he had departed from this 

 rule was in Syria and Egypt, and in his first visit 

 to Nubia. From the Arabs he was particularly 

 careful to conceal his pursuits, as they uniformly 



