EGYPT. 363 
English camp off Alexandria ; on which occasion chap. 
we first landed in Egypt. We entered the ' — y—^ 
Lake of AhouUr by the Block-House, remaining 
a short time to examine the landing-place of 
our troops. The waters of this extensive lake 
broke in from the sea in the year 1784. It 
is everywhere shallow ; and so full of fishes, 
that they leap into boats passing over the 
lake ; a circumstance which greatly surprised 
us. The opening of the sluices for the inunda- 
tion of the old bed of Lake Mareotis had then, 
drained it so low, that boats could barely pass. 
We were often stranded, and every one of us 
obliged to get into the water, for the purpose of 
heaving our bark over the mud, upon which 
she rested. We landed just below the English 
camp, and beheld the extraordinary spectacle of 
a desert rendered lively by the presence of a 
British army ; admiring the singular concurrence 
of circumstances which had occasioned an 
exhibition of English soldiers and sailors, loung- 
ing about, and seemingly at home, upon the 
sands of Egypt. The shore w^as covered with 
palm-trees in full bloom, making, at this season 
of the year, a splendid appearance. Arabs and 
Moors were seen mounted on dromedaries and 
camels ; while the officers of our army appeared 
cantering upon asses, to and from the little 
shops established by Greeks in tents near the 
