EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 121 
to that charader, was prepared for every office. Thus pro- 
vided, we commenced our voyage, and on the eighth day 
reached Affiut. 
If we except fome few inconveniences from the motley com- 
pany that fills the boats, it is not eafy to conceive a more plea- 
furable mode of travelling than that by the Nile when it over- 
flows. The great body of water, perfectly calm and unruf- 
fled, the banks on each fide covered with the rich product of 
the hufbandman's labour, form a fcene in every fenfe allur- 
ing. The paffengers are proteded by a fimple awning of 
branches from the immediate adlion of the fun, and the great 
heat of the tropical latitude is affuaged by a gentle breeze, which 
generally continues during four or five meridian hours. The 
mariners chaunt refponfive to the motion of their oars ; and 
the velTel offers an apt emblem of fmiling fortune in her mofl 
profperous career. 
I landed near Affiut, and went to an okal in that city to 
lodge. Here I fuffered no kind of inconvenience. — A fmall 
room, dry and perfedly quiet, not infefted with vermin, an- 
fwered the purpofe of fecurity to property ; and in this climate, 
at fuch a feafon, no fhelter is required except from the fun's 
rays. Affiut is, at this time, by far the moft confiderable city in 
the higher Egypt. This charader formerly belonged to Girgi, 
which is in effed ilill a place of note, but lefs fo than Affiut. 
The fituation is in all refpeds favourable, and the manner in 
which the water is conduded round the town is worthy of re- 
mark. A canal, dug probably from an early period, parallel to 
R the 
