370 
hollowed out in the rock: they are of a form almost 
square, about eleven feet long on each of their sides: 
they are dug in the manner of lakes, so that the sea 
water can enter by three apertures, situated some height 
above the bottom of the pits, which strengthens the 
idea that they were originally baths. Baths adjoining 
the abode of the dead! Oh! library of Alexandria, 
why art thou wanting? Nothing, absolutely nothing, 
concerning these distant periods, is handed down for 
our instruction. What an irreparable loss! But I 
respect the decision of the calif of the greatest of pro- 
phets.* 
In following the sea shore to the west, to the distance 
of two leagues, we arrived at the abode of the Maho- 
metan priest, named Sidi el Ajami, situated upon the 
spot where the French army disembarked. 
I have said that New AlexandHfe is circumscribed, 
and almost surrounded by the Mediterranean sea to 
the north, and the lake Mareotis to the south. 
This lake, which in the most ancient times was filled 
by water from the Nile, the canopic branch, or arm, 
having been cut towards the middle period, as well as 
the canal which came from the upper part, and not ha- 
ving any communication with the sea, or any other ri- 
ver, evaporated by degrees, and was transformed into a 
fertile plain, covered with habitations. It was the same 
with the kike Mahadie, which had a high bank, or era- 
paiement, on the eastern side, extending to the bottom 
of the bay of Aboukir, to fortify it against the encroach- 
ments of the sea. 
* It is well known that the celebrated library of Alexandria 
was burnt by order of the caiif Omar. — Note of the editor. 
