38 EGYPT. 
CHAP, were constrained to take up our abode ; there 
being no alternative; until we could complete 
our preparations for a voyage up the Nile to 
Grand Cairo. Indeed, we had reason to be 
thankful for such acconunodations ; considering 
the disordered state of affairs at this time in 
Rosetta. We hired a djerm in the evening of 
our arrival; and made application the next day, 
August Qth, to the Commissary of the army, for 
his permission to purchase provisions, in the 
market. This we had great difficulty in obtain- 
ing. The Commissary seemed to consider, and 
perhaps with reason, at this critical juncture, 
every application which did not relate to the 
business of the army, as an unwarrantable in- 
trusion. Some degree of rudeness, however, in 
the manner of his refusal, struck us the more 
forcibly; as v/e bad experienced the greatest 
civilities from his worthy predecessor, who had 
recently fallen a victim to the effects of the cli- 
mate. Having urgent letters of recommenda- 
tion from the Commanders-in-chief, both of the 
army and of the navy, we made our situation 
known to Mr. Wills, purser of Captain Russefs 
ship the Ceresy then acting as Commissary for the 
fleet, who interested himself warmly in our 
behalf. To his kindness we were indebted for 
being able to prosecute our intended voyage 
