THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. $S 



to the Shekh by fame of his friends, from fome of the vil- 

 lages up the river. 



The learned Dr Pococke, as far as I know, is the firft 

 European traveller that ventured to go out of the Beaten 

 path, and look for Memphis, at Metrahenny andMohannan. 



Dr Shaw, who in judgment, learning, and candour, is 

 equal to Dr Pococke, or any of thofe that have travelled into 

 Egypt, contends warmly for placing it at Geeza. 



Mr Niebuhr, the Danifh traveller, agrees with Dr Pococke, 

 I believe neither Shaw nor Niebuhr were ever at Metra- 

 henny, which Dr Pococke and myfelf vifited - x though alL 

 of us have beert often enough at Geeza, and I muft con- 

 fefs, Urongly as Dr Shaw has. urged his arguments, I can- 

 not confider any- o£ the reafons for placing. Memphis ats* 

 Geeza as convincing, and very few of them that do not go- 

 to prove jufl the contrary in favour of Metrahenny,. 



Bfeore I enter into the argument, I mull premife, that 

 Ptolemy, if he is good for any thing, if he merits the hun- 

 dredth part of the pains that have been taken with him by 

 his commentators, rauft furely be. received as a competent, 

 authority in this cafe. 



The inquiry is intQ the pofition of the old capital of E- 

 gypt, not fourfcore miles from the place where he was 

 writing, and immediately in dependence upon it. And 

 therefore, in dubious cafes, I mall have no doubt to refer to 

 bimas deferving the greateft credit, 



Dr. 



