THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 603 



TwiSLiJx^f.-'ww- 



CHAP. XIII. 



•Attempts of the Ancients to difcover the Source of the Nile — No Difcovery 

 made in latter Times — No Evidence of the Jefuits having arrived 

 there — Kirchers Account fabulous — D'fcovery completely made by the 

 Author. 



«AR in antiquity as hiftory or tradition can lead us, far- 

 ther flill beyond the reach of either, (if we believe it 

 was the firft fubject of hieroglyphics) begins the inquiry 

 into the origin, caufe of increafe, and courfe, of this fa- 

 mous river. It is one of the few phenomena in natural 

 hiilory that ancient philofophers employed themfelves in 

 inveltigating, and people of all ranks feemed to have join- 

 ed in the refearch with a degree of perfeverance very un- 

 common ; but ftill this difcovery, though often attempted 

 under the moft favourable circumftances, has as conftantly 

 mifcarried ; it has baffled the endeavours of all ages, and 



4 G 2 at 



