Dlfcoverlcs in Africa. 43^ 



Fienefit from the excurfion, that I am better acquainted with 

 the country, and the eafieft method of travelling through it. 



" I firft afcended the great pyramid, and ha4 got about a 

 fixth part of the way towards the fummit, when I was ob- 

 liged to return that I might not detain my companion--, 

 M. [lope and Major Schwarz, who wifhed to enter it. This, 

 however, we found impoffible ; becaufe the entrance wag 

 choked up with fand, which it was neceflary to remove. 

 That we might not lofe time, I propofed to Major Schwarz 

 to take a walkthrough the neighbouring diftrict, to examine 

 the different kinds of ftones. This we did with as much 

 fpeed as poffible, and returned in about an hour and a half. 

 Before we came back M. Hope had been at the farcophasrus, 

 but had again come out and returned to the vellel, which 

 lay at the diltance of about ten minutes walk from the large 

 pyramid. 



" I now intend to go back with two of Murad Bev's peo- 

 ple, and to take a complete plan of all the pyramids, with the 

 iurronnding diftrict., and a fection of thefe edilices alfo, if 

 porhble ; to go fomewhat farther than other travellers have 

 done ; and. above all, to examine the fprings in the large 

 pyramid, which I conlider to be difficult, but not impoffibJe. 



" Juft now (Oct. 1797) is the belt time for travelling in 

 Esrvpt. Peace every where prevails, for all are afraid of 

 Murad Bey. An Englishman of the name of Brown feems 

 to have taken advantage of this favourable period. Before 

 he proceeded to Darfoor, he had been in Upper Egypt; at- 

 Shrub (the ancient temple of Jupiter Amnion), and the 

 Lake Natron. Me remained above two years at Darfoor 

 without being able to procure leave to return, until he at 

 length obtained it by an accident. People here lav that he 

 obferves great filence, and therefore they fcarcely know any 

 thing of his difcoveries. 



" There is at prefent an Abyffinian bithop here, of whom 

 I have made feveral enquiries refpe&ing Bruce. He informed' 



me. 



