AND LOWER EGYPT. 45 



aloncr those two chains of mountauis with which 



* the Nile is bordered, and sometimes straitened. 

 *The inhabitants, too grossly ignorant to compre- 



* hend those means with which the arts supplied 

 » their ancestors, ascribe these excavations to de- 



* mons. Superstition produces similar effects upon 

 the most opposite characters ; for the missionary 

 Vansleh appeared to agree in opinion with the 

 then natives of Egypt ; it seemed equally impos- 

 sible to him that human beings could dig such ca- 

 vities ; but he subjoins to his opinion this pious 

 mollification, that the devils were forced to become 

 such good workmen by means of exorcisms*. On 

 the other hand, the Christian legend beholds in 

 that immense number of £!;rottoes in the moun- 

 tains of Thebais only the solitary retreats of holy 

 hermits, whose indolence was but poorly disguised 

 under the mask of contemplation ; a fine-sounding 

 word, but totally devoid of meaning, when it is 

 applied to the life led by beings of this sort. 



The mosque of the village in the neighbour- 

 hood of Antinoe, and whose aspect and population 

 form so striking a contrast with the superb build- 

 ings and the urbanity of the ancient city built by 

 Adrian, contains the tomb and the relics of a saint 

 who has given to this place his name of Sheick 

 Ahade. But, what is truly diverting, while the 



* Nouvclle Relation d'Egypte, page 384. 



Mahometans 



