220 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



Bible speaks, and which travellers call Magdolum. 

 While our encampment is being prepared we visit 

 the ruins of the fort. History tells us that this fort 

 was burnt, and we can trace the effects of fire upon 

 the stones, while in the distance to the right we see 

 the shores of Pelusium, where Pompey met his death, 

 and to the left Damietta, where St. Louis landed." 



" January 9, 1855. 



"We make for Pelusium, close to which are the 

 ruins of the modern castle of Tineh, which like Pelu- 

 sium itself signifies mud, and at this season the mud 

 itself is covered with water owing to the inunda- 

 tion of the Nile, so we can only contemplate from a 

 distance the ruins of what was one of the most im- 

 portant cities in ancient Egypt. So terminates our 

 first explory, the result of which goes to assure us 

 that our undertaking is practicable, and I hope that 

 the reports of the two engineers who accompany me 

 will prove this to be so. 



" We pass the night at the oasis of Bir-el-Bourj." 



" January 10, 1855. 



" The cold is so intense that we walk some distance 

 by the side of our dromedaries, which soon take us on 

 in advance of Mougel when we once mount them, as 

 the keen air has quickened them very much, while 

 Mougel presents a very ludicrous appearance as he 

 comes on behind with his donkey-driver belabouring 



