362 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



last were singularly wild ; it was impossible to <*et 

 near them. 



The next day I went about half a league to (he 

 south of Rossetta, to see a tower which has been 

 called that of Canopus, from the mistaken supposi- 

 tion, that the city of Rossetta occupied the place 

 of ancient Canopus. This tower has been built 

 in modern times, on a little hill of sand, which, 

 at this part, forms the western shore of the Nile. 

 It is square ; it has been half demolished, and 

 what remains announces an approaching ruin. 

 In the under part, the inhabitants of this canton 

 shewed an opening into a subterranean cave, 

 which, according to them, led to Alexandria. 



On the top of the tower, the view extends itself 

 all around; it has no other bounds but those which 

 nature has set. Immense plains develope them- 

 selves to the sight ; but how diversified are the pic- 

 lures which it is permitted to wander over ! how 

 majestic are they ! and on what other spot could 

 we behold an assemblage similar to this ! In these 

 scenes so variegated, the most magnificent as well 

 as the most terrible decorations of nature pass 

 successively before the eyes. To the east, coolness 

 and fertility display their treasures over the beau- 

 tiful carpet of the Delta ; to the north, the .sea, 

 source of wealth and of misfortune, rolls its waves, 



the 



