" performed. At the head of the canals, 

 " fluices are formed, which are opened at 

 " pleafure, whether to introduce, or let off 

 " the wafers." 



Thefe canals and refervoirs are faid to have 

 been executed by King Moeris five hundred 

 years before the Trojan war ; and they were 

 kept in good order for many centuries after. 

 During which periods Egypt produced fuch 

 wonderful crops of all kinds, as furprifed the 

 whole world ; and would have ftill continu- 

 ed to do fo to this day, if the fame care had 

 been taken of the canals for diflributing the 

 water. 



Although Egypt in thefe antient ages was 

 extraordinarily populous, more fo than any 

 nation in the world at that time ; yet they 

 had not only great plenty to fupply them- 

 felves, but amazing quantities of corns to 

 export for the fupply of many other nations. 

 We know that they frequently afforded affift- 

 ance even to the plentiful land of Canaan; for 

 we read of three famines at different periods, 

 when they were fupplied with corn from E- 

 gypt, and could not be ferved any where 

 elfe. 



But, if I may be allowed to hazard a con- 



