52 VOYAGE UP THE NILE, 
CHAP, this Canopic festival, brandy was administered 
L .\ . to the women in large glasses, which, says the 
same writer, they drank like lemonade. If, 
therefore, in the scene that followed, something 
ensued which was deemed revolting, even to 
the feelings of French soldiers, it should be con- 
sidered rather as characteristical of the Parisian 
rabblement who were present, than of the na- 
tural habits of the people of the country. As 
we approached Motubis, our course altered from 
south-east to south-west. According to ^wz^^r's 
map, the course is south-east towards this place 
from Rosetta. We arrived at two o'clock p. m. 
and observed here some troops of English 
cavalry; but continued our voyage without 
landing. Opposite to the town of Motubis, but 
Bebe. farther towards the south, stands Dcbe. The 
generality of these towns upon the banks of the 
Nile are small, but there is a pleasing variety 
in their appearance ; for they have no resem- 
blance to each other, although all of them be 
shaded by groves of date and sycamore. We 
Sindion ^ passed Sindion and Derru/, two towns opposite 
to each other, on different sides of the river. 
At Sindion we had the pleasing sight of a party 
Svairy. ^^ TurMsh cavalry upon their march ; and were 
awhile amused by considering the gratification 
their appearance would afford, if we could have 
