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CHAP. XVI. 



Egypt not the Gift of the -Nile — Ancient Opinion refuted — Modern 

 Opinion contrary to Proof and Experience. 



IT is here we mall difcufs a queftion often agitated, 

 whether Egypt owed its exiftence to the Nile, and whe- 

 ther it was formerly an arm of the fea, but in procefs of 

 time, being filled up. by the quantity of mud which the 

 Nile depofited in its inundation, it at length became firm 

 land, above the furface of the waters ? I believe this is 

 the general opinion, as well of the books, as of the greatefl 

 part of travellers of the prefent age; it therefore merits ex- 

 amination, whether it is founded in fact and obfervation, or 

 whether it is to be ranked among the old and ill fup- 

 ported traditions fancifully now again brought into fa- 

 shion. 



Egypt is a valley bounded on the right and left by very 



rugged mountains ; it muft, therefore, occur toany one that 



! the 



