JOINS A GOVERNMENT EXPEDITION. 1 |.) 



duce their effect, must be seen at a distance. His 

 conversation was equally agreeable and interesting, 

 and he blended with it an unaffected gaiety and 

 a good-humoured manner which put every one at 

 his ease. To these social qualities he joined a 

 finely formed person. Like Plato, he was of the 

 tallest stature and most robust make. His broad 

 shoulders announced his strength ; his forehead* 

 was high and majestic ; and he distinguished him- 

 self by the grace of his demeanour and the dignity 

 of his gestures." 



At the end of these happy six months, Sonnini 

 learned that the Government was sending an 

 expedition to Africa under Baron de Tott, and 

 applied for permission to accompany it, which was 

 accorded. 



His French biographer has observed, with jus- 

 tice, that Sonnini has " painted himself in his 

 writings." The reader shall have a glimpse of him 

 during his voyage to Alexandria, in which he re- 

 lates a pleasing incident with the poetry of feel- 

 ing: "The day after our departure from Malta 

 two small birds, one a little grey fauvette, the 

 other a little bergeronnette, came and settled upon 

 the rigging ; but being unable to support the 

 fatigue of so long a flight, they suffered themselves 

 to be taken by hand. As their diminutive bodies 

 would have afforded but a scanty dish, I had no 



