32 



pleasing sight to those who have read the fabulous ac- 

 counts of the ancients. It flows thence with a very 

 small stream, but soon receives such aa increase from 

 various rivulets, that not above three days journey from 

 its source, it is near a mile broad. After running nine or 

 ten leagues farther, it enters the Lake of Daiubia. It 

 crosses this at one end, with such rapidity, that the wa- 

 ters of the Nile may be distinguished through the whole 

 passage, which is six leagues. Fifteen miles farther it 

 rushes from the top of a high rock, and forms one of 

 die most beautiful cascades in the world. The fail of 

 this mighty stream from so vast a height, makes a consi- 

 derable noise. Yet the neighbouring inhabitants are not 

 .deaf, but hear just as well as others. After this cata- 

 ract, the Nile again collects its scattered stream, and 

 jfiows on through various nations. Hence we may learn, 

 that it is impossible to arrive at the source of the Nile, 

 "by tracing its channel from the mouth, there being so 

 many cataracts in the way, which no vessel can pass. 



In Abyssinia, from June to September, there is no day 

 without rain. Now the Nile receives in its course all 

 the brooks, rivers, and torrents, which flow from the 

 Abyssinian mountains. These necessarily swell it above 

 the banks, a?id fill the plain of Egypt with the inun- 

 dation. This comes regularly in the month of July, 

 that is, three weeks after the beginning of the raias in 

 Ethiopia, 



The water of the Nile is so delicious, that the Turks 

 excite themselves to drink of it by eating salt. When 

 the Egyptians leave their country, they speak of no- 

 thing but the pleasure they shall find at their return, in 

 drinking the Nile water. All those who have tasted of 

 it, allow, that they never met wilh the like in any other 

 place. In truth when one drinks of it the first time, it 

 seems (says Maserier)to be some water prepared by art. 

 It has something in it inexpressibly agreeable and plea- 

 sins to the taste. But to some, it appears to have too 

 much sweetness. It is likewise salutary in the highest 

 degree. Drink it in what quantities you \vill| and it 

 never incommodes yoy, 



