( 3" ) 



jedhire, I fliould be inclined to attribute i<> 

 Jofeph the canal wliich is called by his name, 

 and which ferved to conduct the water into 

 lake Moeris. Likewife lake Moeris itfelf, and 

 the other different canals for diftributing the 

 water over the whole land of lower Egypt. 



The whole of this work appears to be fo 

 admirably contrived to anfwer the end pro- 

 pofed, for enriching every part of the coun- 

 try, and to prevent: the river Nile from over- 

 flowing its banks, when at its greatefl height, 

 by means of thefe incredibly large lakes, that 

 it feems to have been devifed by a very un- 

 common and extraordinary genius, not to be 

 paralelled in hiftory. 



The enormous expence it would take to dig 

 thefe canals and lakes, to ferve as refervoirs, 

 is another reafbn why we may fuppofe that 

 none but Jofepli could attempt fuch an un- 

 dertaking. For what kingdom could defray 

 the expence, or would, although they had 

 been able, being uncertain of the fuccefs. 



The altering the courfe of fuch a large and 

 rapid river as the Nile, is liable to fo many 

 -unforefeen accidents, that one would ima- 

 gine it might have deterred any kingdom 

 from fuch an arduous undertaking. But Jo- 

 R r 



