225 



enumerated above, and whicli, in combination and perfec- 

 tion, I believe, the climate of Upper Egypt and Nnbia, 

 possess over every other yet known to ns ; it has many 

 others which should not be lightly passed over. The dys- 

 peptic, the sufferer from chest disease, the rheumatic, 

 the man whose constitution has been impaired by seden- 

 tary habits, anxious and harassing pursuits, or irregular 

 living, may here, if anywhere, find the necessary means 

 for recovering his lost vigour of mind and body. 



In a brilliant and balmy climate, where mere existence 

 is felt to be a positive luxury, and where the mind enjoys 

 a serenity almost unknown in our foggy land, there is 

 scarcely ever experienced any feeling oi ennui, even when 

 the traveller is confined to his boat, and that passing but 

 slowly up the river, by tracking. The naturalist, and espe- 

 cially the entomologist, the botanist in a minor degree 

 may ever find materials for examining and collecting. 

 The sportsman may with his line or gun always meet with 

 abundant occupation. The arcliEeologist and antiquarian 

 reap a rich harvest in the examination and contemplation 

 of the wondrous remains of ancient art and science, as 

 seen in the temples and tombs. The visits to adjoining 

 hamlets — marking the habits and customs of the people, 

 which illustrate so powerfully sacred writ, and classical 

 authors — the pleasing intercourse between fellow-travel- 

 lers going up or returning down the Nile, and the inter- 

 change of books or newspapers — making meteorological 

 observations and entries in the diary, Avith a moderate 

 proportion of pleasing and instructive reading — noticing 

 the distinctness of the geological features, or the peculiar 

 appearance of the moon, as white when on the horizon, as 

 in mid-sky ; or the sun set setting in a glory indescribable, 

 to be succeeded by constellations brilliant and beautiful — 

 admiring the deceitful mirage, or tracing the course and 

 direction of the lofty sand-pillar — sketching the various 

 29 



