197 



spot, with such other particulars as are calculated to more 

 fully exhibit the character of the climate and country 

 through which we passed. 



To make the latter part of the table (i.e. through 

 Arabia and Palestine to Damascus) of use, the eleva- 

 tions above the sea-level have been added in a profile. 

 These are only approximate, but not very wide of the 

 truth. From them the temperature may, if desirable, be 

 reduced to those at the sea-level. They are, however, 

 probably, more interesting as they stand. It may be 

 observed how regularly the temperatures fall as the pro- 

 file rises, and vice versa, modified a little by the winds. 

 The temperatures of the Jordan, Dead Sea, Red Sea, &c., 

 are also given. 



The passage from Malta to Alexandria generally occu- 

 pies about seventy to eighty hoiirs. The French Steamer 

 Borystliene conveyed us in a little less time. 



We had as fellow passengers the representatives of 

 not less than twelve nations from the four quarters 

 of the globe. Few can conceive the striking differ- 

 ence which in almost everything manifests itself be- 

 tween this bustling port and those of Europe. Having 

 passed through the form of examination of luggage at the 

 custom-house, and the reality of most vexatious impor- 

 tunities and annoyances from porters, donkey-men, and 

 boatmen, we soon found ourselves quartered at our 

 hotel in the square of the Frank quarter. The Peninsu- 

 lar and Oriental Hotel is well-kept, and reasonable in its 

 charges — about ten shillings a day. 



Little need be said here about Alexandria itself. Pliny, 

 • who wrote his Natural History A.D. 77, states that it was 

 then a most flourishing city, and that its circumference 

 was fifteen miles. It had a population of 300,000 free- 

 men, and at least as many slaves. One of its streets 

 was four miles in length and one hundred feet wide, and 



