496 APPENDIX. 
ceal that they saw with grief the stay of the English in the country. 
I told them, that their stay could not be much longer, and that the 
general peace left no doubt of their approaching departure. On 
the 17 th I visited the Cheik El-Messiry. The same day I also 
visited the Cheik Ibrahim Mufti. On the 1 8th I visited theCoupure 
du Khalidj, which has formed the lake Mareotis. The current of 
the waters of the lake Madie is still very strong, and if the Porte 
does not make haste to re- establish this important canal, the over- 
flows which take place on the little tongue of land that separates 
the two lakes, will render the opening so considerable, that it will 
be impossible to travel. I do not think that the Swedish engineer 
sent by the Porte to direct these labours, has the necessary talents. 
The formation of the lake Mareotis appears to have contributed to 
the salubrity of the air. The city has no other water than what it 
draws from the wells of Marabouf. This little fort I found guarded 
by an English and Turkish garrison, in order to protect the inhabi- 
tants who came to draw water. I employed the day of the J 9th 
in perambulating the town, and receiving different individuals who 
came to visit me. On the ^Oth, I set out for Cairo, escorted by 
two Turkish officers, and six French soldiers, whom I had taken on 
board the frigate, but contrary winds obliged me to return to the 
port. The next day I was at Aboukir, where I passed the night. 
I profited by this opportunity to visit the fort, which is in a very 
ruined state. On the 22d I arrived at Rosetta, after having visited 
the fort Julien ; I saw the same day Osman, Aga and Duvanny of 
the town, as well as all the Christians who reside there. The 2,3d 
I was at Faone, where I visited the Commandant of the place, the 
Cadi, and the Cheiks ; I received from the latter, and from all 
