LABOURS OF FOURIER IN EGYPT. © 395 
tion of the site of the ancient Memphis, and of the whole 
extent of burying-places ; a descriptive account of the 
revolutions and manners of Egypt, from the time of its 
conquest by Selim. 
I find also in the Egyptian Decade, that, on the first 
complementary day of the year VI., Fourier communi- 
cated to the Institute the description of a machine de- 
signed to promote irrigation, and which was to be driven 
by the power of wind. 
This work, so far removed from the ordinary current 
of the ideas of our colleague, has not been printed. It 
would very naturally find a place in a work of which the 
Expedition to Egypt might again furnish the subject, not- 
withstanding the many beautiful publications which it 
has already called into existence. It would be a de- 
scription of the manufactories of steel, of arms, of pow- 
der, of cloth, of machines, and of instruments of every 
kind which our army had to prepare for the occasion. 
If, during our infancy, the expedients which Robinson 
Crusoe practised in order to escape from the romantic 
dangers which he had incessantly to encounter, excite 
our interest in a lively degree, how, in mature age, could 
we regard with indifference a handful of Frenchmen 
thrown upon the inhospitable shores of Africa, without 
any possible communication with the mother country, 
obliged to contend at once with the elements and with 
formidable armies, destitute of food, of clothing, of arms, 
and of ammunition, and yet supplying every want by the 
force of genius ! 
The long route which I have yet to traverse, will 
hardly allow me to add a few words relative to the 
administrative services of the illustrious geometer. Ap- 
pointed French Commissioner at the Divan of Cairo, he 
