PREFACE. 
xxiii 
ceeded to Kahira. His intention was, it is faid, to 
have penetrated into AbyfTinia by way of Mafluah. 
While at Kahira he applied repeatedly to the Coptic 
Patriarch for a letter from him to the head of the 
Abyflin church ; with which the latter, under 
various pretences, conftantly refufed to furnifh him. 
He continued at Kahira feveral months, and after- 
wards found his way to Moccha, Repeated attempts 
were made by him to execute his projected voyage 
to the oppofite territory, but all without fuccefs. 
The perfons from whom I received this information, 
and who, as would feem, derived it from his own 
authority, affured me that he had encountered al- 
moft infurmountable obftacles, and been obliged to 
fubmit even to perfonal indignities. They allowed 
too that this gentleman was far from being unqua- 
lified for the enterprize, in judgment, experience, 
or phyfical force. The fame perfons acquainted me 
that he had afterwards advanced to the Mogul pe- 
ninfula, and had accompanied the Britifh troops, 
during two campaigns, againft the ufurper of My- 
fore, in various parts of the peninfula. He even 
returned to Alexandria after the treaty of Seringa- 
c 2 patam, 
