THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. S 2 5 



But the fuppofition that any heirs male of this family be- 

 came mufTulmen, is, beyond any fort of doubt, without foun- 

 dation or probability. 



Omar, after fubduing Egypt, deftroyed the valuable libra- 

 ry at Alexandria, but his fuccefTors thought very differently 

 from him in the article of profane learning. Greek books 

 of all kinds (efpecially thofe of Geometry, Aftroflomy, and 

 Medicine,) were fearched for every where and tranflated. 

 Sciences flourifhed and were encouraged. Trade at the 

 fame time kept pace, and increafed with knowledge. Geo- 

 graphy and aftronomy were every where diligently fludied 

 and folidly applied to make the voyages of men from place 

 to place fafe and expeditious. The Jews (conflant fervants 

 of the Arabs) imbibed a confiderable fhare of their tafte for 

 earning. 



They had, at this time, increafed very much in number, 

 By the violence of the Mahometan conquefb in Arabia and 

 Egypt, where their feci: did principally prevail, they became 

 very powerful in Abyffinia. Arianifm, and all the various 

 herefies that diftraeled the Greek church, were received 

 there in their turn from Egypt ; the bonds of Chriflianity 

 were diiTblved, and people in general were much more wil- 

 ling to favour a new religion, than to agree with, or coun- 

 tenance any particular one of their own, if it differed from 

 that which they adopted in the merefl trifle. This had def- 

 troyed their metropolis in Egypt, juft now delivered up to 

 the Saracens ; and the difpofition of the Abyflinians fcemed 

 fo very much to referable their brethren the Cophts, that 

 a revolution in favour of Judaifm was thought full as 

 feafible in the country, as it had been in Egypt in favour- 



J o£'' 



