AND LOWER EGYPT. 13 



nihilate shall be restored to their ancient lustre, 

 while others shall re-appear which now lie buried 

 in the sand. The image of splendour shall every 

 where resume the place of the hideous picture of 

 destruction. Science is about to advance with the 

 pace of a giant. Canals, that copious source of 

 prosperity, are going to be cut or repaired. The 

 commerce of the world will naturally fall back into 

 its ancient channel ; and what the Pharaohs, in 

 the plenitude of their power, were afraid to under- 

 take, the junction of the two seas, Frenchmen, 

 conducted by a new Alexander, whom victory and 

 the sciences are emulous to crown, shall present to 

 the astonishment and admiration of future ages. 

 The mind is lost and confounded in contemplating 

 that immensity of glory with which the French na- 

 tion is encircling itself. Proud of belonging to it, 

 I feel an additional satisfaction in being able to 

 consecrate to my country the fruit of my labours*. 



* As our Author had suppressed the history of his travels for 

 twice nine years, he would perhaps have acted prudently in 

 suppressing his prediction concerning the approaching state of 

 Egypt, till events had given him a firmer foundation whet eon 

 to rest them. The Gallic expedition to that country is assur- 

 edly of very uncertain issue. The vain-glory of a Frenchman 

 is truly ridiculous, and the idea of the French nation giving 

 liberty, happiness and the means of illumination to the coun- 

 tries which they overrun as a pestilence, is an insult to the 

 common sense of mankind. It merits the silent smile of indig- 

 nation and contempt. — H. H. 



