THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, 73 



for here, and the nonie of that name, all to the eaftward 

 of it. 



The wind ftill- freshening, we palTed by feveral villages 

 on each fide, all furrounded with palm-trees, verdant and 

 pleafant, but conveying an idea of famenefs and want of 

 variety, fuch as every traveller muft have felt who has fail- 

 ed in the placid, muddy, green-banked rivers in Holland. 



The Nile, however, is here fully a mile broad, the water 

 deep, and the current Strong. The wind feemed to be exaf- 

 perated by the refinance of the Stream, and blew frefh and 

 Headily, as indeed it generally -does where the current is 

 violent. 



We pafled Nizelet Embarak, which means the BleiTed 

 Landing-place. Mr Norden * calls it Giefiret Barrakaed, 

 which he fays is the watering-place of the crofs. Was this even 

 the proper name here given it, it fhould be tranflated the 

 BlefTed Mand; but, without understanding the language, it 

 is in vain to keep a register of names. u 



The boatmen, living either in the Delta, Cairo, or one of 

 the great towns in Upper Egypt, and coming constantly load- 

 ed with merchandife, or Strangers from thefe great places, 

 make fwift pafTages by the villages, either down the river 

 with a rapid current, or up with a Strong, fair, and Steady 

 wind : And, when the feafcn of the Nile's inundation is over, 

 and the wind turns fouthward, they repair all to the Delta, 

 Vol. I. K the 



* Norden's travels, vol. II. p. 19, 



