AND LOWER EGYPT. 97 



sort, which would be sufficient to render its port 

 unfrequented, could the love of gain be discou- 

 raged by dangers. 



Ships of war, which require a depth of water, 

 are under the necessity of mooring as soon as they 

 have doubled the Diamond and the two shallows, 

 that is, just in the mouth of the harbour. The 

 frigate Atalanta passed above a month in this situ- 

 ation, violently strained by a continual rolling ; a 

 most uncomfortable position, which, however, I 

 preferred sharing with my friends to a settlement 

 on shore, though I had it in my power, as ir was 

 my destination to remain in Egypt. This abomi- 

 nable harbour is still more rocky to the ea-.t It is 

 unapproachable to any thing deserving the name 

 of a ship, and landing is impracticable. We en- 

 deavoured, to no purpose, to get on shore in a 

 small boat, with a design to take a view of the 

 obelisks which are on that side. It was well we 

 did not perish by the violent and repeated strokes 

 which the boat suffered on the stones from the 

 agitation of the water. 



The harbour, detestable as it is, nevertheless sel- 

 dom fails to be crowded with ships. The perpe- 

 tual movement in it indicates the restlessness of 

 commerce. Here the riches of Asia and Africa are 

 loaded for the ports ot Europe, and here arc un- 



vol. i. h loaded 



