446 LETTERS. 
deftroys all filhing tackle of this kind, which arc 
thrown out in the river. I found in one that I 
opened, two hooks which it had fwallowed, one 
flicking in his ftomach, and the other in a part of 
the thick membrane which covers his palate. 
How is it poflible, that Job could by the 
Leviathan mean the Whale, as feveral have 
explained his term, and as has lately done a 
French Author, who, in his language, wrote the 
works of the fix days ; when we refled on what 
Job and David have faid of the works of the Crea- 
tor ? How, I fay, could he fpeak of an animal, 
which never was feen in the place where he wrote, 
and at a time when he certainly could have no 
hiftory of Greenland and Spitzbergen ? Befides, 
the whole defcription of Job comes much nearer 
the crocodile than the whale, if we confider, that 
he wrote in a figurative oriental ftyle. 
I intend foon to depart from hence for Palae- 
fline, and there enjoy the fpring. I have been a 
fufficient time in Egypt, and thank God, have 
difpofed well of my time in this remarkable coun- 
try, which ought to be the dwelling of the Gods, 
if they could take a place amongft mortals ; but 
is condemned, 1 know not by what turn of for- 
tune, to harbour Egyptians. I beg you will fa- 
vour me with a few lines, which I could get in 
Conftantinople at our Envoys, Mr. Ceiling’s 
houfe, or in Smyrna, at Conful Rydelius’s. I have 
frequent informations from the latter, of the moll 
material affairs which happen in my native coun- 
try; but I cannot exped any thing from him but 
politics : the learned are of more confequence to 
me, and of thefe I exped news from your good- 
nefs. I Ihould be in particular pleafed to hear who 
fucceededDr. Wallerius, asProfelfor extraordinary 
