AND LOWER EGYPT. 313 



With a little precaution, a person has the prospect 

 of living to a great age, and free from complaints 

 of every description, excepting the diseases of the 

 eyes, which are in a great measure unavoidable. 



In Lower Egypt the climate is not so severe. 

 Rains and waters diffused in the greatest abun- 

 dance, produce more freshness over the immense 

 and humid plains, than the barren mountains either 

 contract or dry up with a scorching reverberation. 

 The manners of the people, like the climate, are 

 less harsh, and the traveller is there exposed to far 

 less danger. 



"With what satisfaction did I find myself again in 

 this country, which appeared in my eyes a tranquil 

 abode, when compared with the Said, and in which 

 commerce had induced several Europeans to fix 

 their residence ! I did not however see again my 

 fellow-countrymen at Cairo ; I had too strong an 

 impression on my mind of the anxiety which I ex- 

 perienced in the narrow limits to which fear con- 

 fined them. Besides, theneiiihbourhood of Cairo 

 was in the greatest agitation ; the beys had en- 

 camped in the environs, and were preparing to 

 march their forces against the enemy who threaten- 

 ed an attack from Upper Egypt. I hastened over 

 the spots which were occupied by a horde of sol- 

 diers, under no discipline whatever, and favoured 



by 



