UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 3? 



Egyptian shore has been much contested among 

 commentators ; but the greatest number of opi- 

 nions seem to be in favour of Clysma; a point 

 several hours journey from the town of Suez, 

 which stands at the head of the western gulf. 

 The names that some of the places in the vicinity 

 still retain, appear to confirm this supposition ; 

 for instance, the ridge of hills extending from 

 the Nile to this part of the coast is called Ataka, 

 which means deliverance ; and the narrow plain 

 to the southward of that ridge preserves the 

 name of Wadi-et-tiheh, or the Valley of the 

 Wandering. On the opposite shore of the Red 

 Sea there is a headland called Ras Mousa, or the 

 Cape of Moses ; farther to the southward, Ham- 

 mam Faraun, Pharaoh's Baths ; and the general 

 name of this part of the gulf is Bahr el Kolsum, 

 or the Bay of Submission. From these circum- 

 stances it may be concluded that the Israelites 

 crossed the western arm of the Red Sea, about 

 twelve or thirteen miles from Suez ; and it ap- 

 pears from my uncle's maps that the sea there is 

 eight or nine miles broad. 



My uncle says it is the opinion of some geo- 

 graphers that formerly the Red Sea did not stop 

 at Suez ; and modern travellers have described 

 a large plain which is considerably lower than 

 the surface of the sea, and which extends seven 

 or eight leagues to the northward of that town. 

 This plain is two leagues in breadth ; and from 



VOL. II. li 



