286 FROM GRAND CAIRO TO ROSETTA. 
'^ vt^' ^^^"^^'^ day-light, to take a hasty breakfast, and 
^. -v- ~* set out for the Ruins. As soon as the dawn 
appeared, we landed upon the eastern side of 
the river, a little to the south of Rachmanie ; 
near to the place where a canal, passing across 
the Delta, joins the Damietta with the Rosetla 
branch of the Nile. About half a mile from 
the shore we came to the village of Se 7 Hajar, 
and found the Arab peasants already at their 
work. They were employed in sifting soil to 
lay upon their corn land, among evident remains 
of antient buildings. The present village of 
Sel Hajar seems to be situate in the suburban 
district of the antient city ; for as we proceeded 
hence, in an eastern direction, we soon discerned 
its vestiges. Irregular heaps, containing ruined 
foundations which had defied the labours of the 
peasants, appeared between the village and 
some more considerable remains farther to- 
wards the north-east. The earth was covered 
with fragments of antient terra cotta, which the 
labourers had cast out of their sieves. At the 
distance of about three furlongs, we came to an 
immense quadrangular inclosure, nearly a mile 
wide, formed by high walls or rather mounds of 
earth, facing the four points of the compass, and 
placed at right angles to each other, so as to 
surround a spacious area. In the centre of this 
