684 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
_ falfe meafures in the Nilometer by the fovereign is abfos 
lutely impracticable. Suppofing the height of the Nilo- 
meter, when at 8 cubits, fhewed that there was juft corm 
enough to maintain the inhabitants, and that the tenant 
knew, by the quantity of land meafured, that he had bare- 
ly what was to pay his rent and fupport his family; this 
he muft know before he fowed, becaufe he meafured im- 
mediately after the inundation ; and this he muft know 
likewife by the corm he borrows for feed from:fis landlord; 
who, as I have faid, furnifhes his-tenant both with feed and 
labouring utenfils. If, then, he finds he can:barely main- 
tain himfelf, and not pay his rent, upon the- proclamation. 
at the Nilometer, he deferts his farm, and‘ neither plows: 
nor fows *, but flies to Paleftine to the Arabs, or into the 
cities, and brings famine along with him: The next year 
there is a plague; and {weeps all thofe poor wretches,.in a 
_ bad ftate of health by living upon bad food, into their 
- graves, fo that the introduction, of a fuppofed falfe meafure, 
dire@tly advanced’ by Dr Shaw, and; often alluded to. by. 
ethers,.but always: without poflibility of foundation, is one: 
of the many errors he-has fallen into,. 
He knew nothing but of the: Delta, never was in: Upper;. 
and.no confiderable time even in Lower Egypt, but when: 
the Nile had overflowed it, and I f{uppofe never converfed with: 
a fellah, or Egyptian peafant, in his life. All his wonders are. 
in. 
* This was apparently the reafon why Jofeph, who had bought not only the lands, but 
the people of Egypt likewife, transferred them from farms, not convenient for them, to.0- 
thers where they could thrive. - The fame they do fpontaneoufly at this day, now they are 
Sree, + Dr Shaw, chap. ii, fect. 3. p. 3838 
