AND LOWER EGYPT. 213 



waters of the Nile to cool. One day the monks 

 of Neguade were employing themselves in this 

 operation at the gate of the convent, ignorant 

 that there were any sick people in their vicinity. 

 Immediately a woman in tears was seen issuing 

 out of a contiguous house, running with all her 

 might, and carrying in her arms an infant seized 

 with the small-pox. When she had put the child 

 in a place of safety, she returned to the convent, 

 uttering loud shrieks, and endeavouring to stir 

 up the people against the Franks, who, she said, 

 had endeavoured to destroy her child. When 

 any one, accordingly, burns mastich in the open 

 air, he is careful to inform himself beforehand if 

 there are any sick people in the neighbourhood ; 

 for they believe that, whatever the nature of the 

 disorder may be, the smoke of that rosin causes 

 instantaneous death whenever it is respired. 



f 3 



