EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 179 
On the 1 8th left Tur, and on the 22d, at 3 1 hours A.M. 
reached the monaftery of Sinai. Shot a red-legged partridge. 
The convent is large, with a good garden, to which there is a 
fubterraneous paflage. Within the walls is a fmall mofque for 
the convenience of the Arabs. The mountain now called Sinai 
is high and abrupt. On the North fide of it fome fnow was 
vifible. The whole is a very remarkable rock of red granite, 
interfperfed with fpots, to which foil has been brought by human 
toil, or wafhed down by rain, and in which grow almond trees, 
(now in bloom,) figs, and vines. Numerous rills of excellent 
water gufh from various apertures in the precipice, and wander 
among the little gardens. Sinai has two fummits fomewhat re- 
fembling ParnalTus, another fcene of infpiration ; and the one 
termed St. Catherine, being, it is believed, the higheft, may be 
the Sinai of Mofes. 
The weather being very clear, I obferved, from Mount Sinai, 
the Eaftern gulph of the Red Sea, which appears very fmall, 
and more round and fhort than is laid down in the lateft maps. 
Returned to Suez and Kahira, meeting with nothing me- 
morable on the route. 
