l^S TRAVELS IN UPPER 



linely, nor anjr other Europeans, except seven of 

 eight missionaries scattered up and down. Upon 

 my arrival at the convent of Neguade, in which 

 hospitality is so treacherous, some Cathohc Cophts 

 hastened to inform me that I might see a rare and 

 singular animal there. I hastened, in my turn, to 

 request them to show it me. They conducted me 

 to a corner of the yard, and I v^as surprised to find 

 nothing in it but a pig which the monks vvere- 

 rearing, and which the stupid Egyptians looked 

 upon as a very curious animal. 



These same Catholics, who concentrate the su- 

 perstitions of various religions, entertain a belief, 

 the effects of which must frequently prove fatal to 

 themselves. They are persuaded that the croco- 

 dile *, connoisseur enough to distinguish the Chris- 

 tian from a Mussulman, only attacks the latter, 

 but respects the worshipper of Christ. They are 

 so much prepossessed in favour of this opinion, that 

 they bathe without fear in the waters of the Nile, 

 where these huge and hideous lizards exist ; whilst 

 the Mahometans, whose credulity urges them to ac- 

 knowledge a predilection miraculously occasioned, 

 dare not expose themselves there. I remember to 

 have read something similar to this in the first vo- 



* Crocodile, or the crocodile properly so called, lizard-footed, 

 Nat. Hist, of oviparous Quadrupeds. — Lacerta crocodllus. Lin. 

 In Egypt, //wj^//, a name approaching to that of cbamses^ wh'ch 

 the crocodile formerly bore there. 



lume 



