1 of 900 leagues traverfing defarts and bar- 

 " ren mountains, brings with it a prodigi-^ 

 " ous quantity of fand and mud. How cul- 



5 pable are they who thus fuffer the fprings 



1 of plenty to dry up ? For wherever the wa- 

 " ters of the Nile are conveyed, there is the 

 " earth covered with treafures. It only feeks 



c to be productive." 



The Egyptians in antient ages were efteem- 

 ed the rnofl learned people in the world. 

 There never was a nation who made fuch fo- 

 lid and permanent improvements in agricul- 

 ture, only by means of water. 



Although they were at an immenfe ex- 

 pence in making canals and refervoirs, and 

 keeping them in good order ; yet they were 

 amply paid for all their trouble and expence,- 

 by the wonderful crops of all kinds that were 

 produced. This improvement was not for 

 one age, but has continued for ages, as far 

 back as hiftory gives us any account. Egypt 

 was often the granary of the world. When 

 famine was in moft places, they enjoyed 

 plenty ; having fo much grain annually to 

 export, their trade was increafed to a very 

 great height. This was, in reality making 

 Agriculture the foundation of trade. This 



great- 



