EGYPT. 341 
rejected, but his information respecting that chap. 
lake was disregarded: it was even asserted, v -v " "' 
that there was not water sufficient in the lake 
for the free passage of boats of burden, fit for 
the conveyance of artillery or troops; although 
Sir Sidney Smith had himself been there, in his 
ship's cutter, and had sounded every part of 
it. One of his private letters, about this time, 
to his brother- in Constantinople, reflects so 
much credit upon his patriotism and national 
character, that it deserves a place in the history 
of the Expedition. Having stated the peculia- 
rities of his situation, and the obstacles he had 
to encounter in his earnest endeavours to serve 
his country, he added, " It is true, I once held 
the helm ivhere I must now tvork a labouring oar; 
hut I shall not pull less stoutly on that account." 
The fleet, with our army, arrived in Marmorice causes of 
Harbour, upon the coast of Caria, on the inkmUng 
twenty-eighth day of December, 1800. Having "^" '''""P'- 
waited there near two months, during which 
time a small reinforcement arrived from England, 
(2) John Spcnsc}- Smith, Esq. his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinarj' and 
IMinibtcr Plenipotentiary, previous to the arrival of the Enrl of Elgin, at 
the Ottoman Porte. 
VOL. III. V 
