CHAP. the testimony of the Abyssinian Dean strictly II. confirmed all that Bruce had written upon the

subject. He told us, that horses and cows were its principal victims; that there were not many of those insects in his native province; but that he had heard of armies being destroyed in consequence of this terrible scourge. We questioned him concerning the plant which is said to render persons invulnerable to serpents or scorpions, merely by chewing its leaves. He replied, that he knew the plant well, but had forgotten its name; that it resembled hemp, and that he had often made use of it to prove its virtues; but he added, that it must be chewed at the time of touching the serpent or the scorpion.

.

Previous to the introduction of any inquiry concerning the source of the Nile, we shewed to him Bruce's map of the Lake Tzana, and of the surrounding country. At this he was highly gratified. He knew all the places mentioned in the territories of Belessen, Begemder, Gojam, and Agows; and, attempting to shew us the situation of GONDAR, actually pointed out the spot marked by Bruce for the locality of that

The

11.

The Nile (which before its junction with the CHAP. Lake Tzana he called Aleaoui) he described as having but one source', in a marshy spot, upon the top of a mountain, about five or six miles from the lake, and upon its south-eastern side. He had not been there himself, but had often visited that side of the lake. There are many villages in the neighbourhood of the place. inhabitants are all Christians; but they entertain no veneration for the spot, neither are any honours whatsoever paid to the source of the river. There are, indeed, many springs which are medicinal, and said to be the gift of certain saints; but he had never heard that the fountain of the Nile was one of these.

(1) Bruce's account of the origin of this river will perhaps be found, after all, more correct than any we can obtain, even from the Abys sinians themselves, who do not reside near enough to the spot to have made personal observation. Mr. Salt mentions the little reliance he could place in the various accounts given to him upon this subject. "When I found," says he, "that I must give up all hopes of penetrating beyond the Tacazza, I took every occasion to make inquiries, of such persons as were likely to give me any intelligence, respecting the Nile. Their accounts generally agreed with each other; but it appeared to me that they spoke from what they had heard, and not from personal knowledge. Its situation near the village of Geesh; the marshiness of the plain; the elevation of the spot whence it flows above the surrounding country; its circuit from Gojam; were points familiar to them all: but they differed considerably, as to the number of the fountains from which it springs; some speaking of three, others of four, and one person of five." Lord Valentia's Trav. vol. III. .p. 160.

CHAP.
II.

Here we terminated our investigation, as far as it related to Bruce's account of Abyssinia; and the result of it left a conviction upon our minds, not only of the general fidelity of that author, but that no other book of travels, published so long after the events took place which he has related, and exposed to a similar trial, would have met with equal testimony of its truth and accuracy1.

(1) In the interesting memoir of Mr. Salt's journey in Abyssinia, as published by Lord Valentia, its author has assailed the veracity of Bruce, in a manner which may be lamented by those who hold Mr. Salt's Narrative in the highest estimation: and for this reason; that, with an evident disposition to dispute the correctness of Bruce's representation, no writer has contributed more effectually to the establishment of Bruce's credit. Mr. Salt speaks in the most positive terms of the accuracy with which Bruce has detailed his historical information. (See Lord Valentia's Travels, vol. III. pp. 163. 209. §c. &c. Lond. 1809.) He also mentions the astonishment of the natives at his own knowledge of their history: (Ibid. p. 227.) and, above all, that he was considered by them as a superior being, when he exhibited Bruce's drawings of Gondar. (Ibid.) In many other instances he bears ample testimony to Bruce's accuracy. (See vol. II. p. 460. 480. &c.; vol. III. pp. 163. 211. 217. See also the instances adduced in the Edinb. Encyclop. vol. V. Part I. pp. 9, 10.) When to all this is added the evidence afforded by the celebrated Browne (See Preface to his Travels,) in support of the few facts which are questioned by Mr. Salt, and the opinion given of his work by the Commander-in-chief of the British army sent from India by the Red Sea, as before alluded to, we may surely consider the writings of this illustrious traveller to be placed beyond the reach of cavil: and we ought to agree with that profound scholar, (See Vincent's Periplus of the Erythr. Sea, p. 93.) who, maintaining that Bruce's work "bears throughout internal marks of veracity," considered it to be a duty "NOT TO TREAT WITH INGRATITUDE THOSE WHO EXPLORE THE DESERT FOR OUR INFORMATION."

Arabic Language, as spoken in Egypt-Dress of the Women in Cairo-State of Society. Houses-Gardens-Ceremony of Ululation in honour of the Dead-Exaggerated Descriptions of the Country-Supposed Sacrifice of a Virgin to the Nile-Book Market-Antient Medals in circulation--Custom of the Arabs in passing a Bridge-Appearance of Women in the StreetsEnormities practised by the Turks - Extortions Discovery of a curious Manuscript. Citadel Pointed Arches-Interesting Inscription-Mosaic Painting-Present State of the Art-Joseph's Well-Origin of the CitadelView from the Ramparts.

N

ANY Englishman hearing a party of Egyptian CHAP. Arabs in conversation, and being ignorant of III. their language, would suppose they were quar

Arabic

in Egypt.

CHAP. relling. The Arabic, as spoken by Arabs, is more III. guttural even than the Welsh; but the dialect Language, of Egypt appeared to us to be particularly harsh. as spoken. It is always spoken with a vehemence of gesticulation, and loudness of tone, which is quite a contrast to the stately sedate manner of speaking among the Turks: we were constantly impressed with a notion that the Arabs, in conversation, were quarrelling. More than once we ordered the interpreter to interfere, and to pacify them; when it appeared that we were mistaken, and that nothing was farther from their feelings, at the time, than anger. The effect is not so unpleasing to the ear, when Arab women converse; although the gesticulation be nearly the same. Signor Rosetti', whose hospitality to strangers has been celebrated by every traveller in Egypt during nearly half a century, introduced us to a Venetian family, of the name of Pini, in which there were many beautiful young women, and with

(1) Mr. Bruce mentions him (Trav. vol. I. p. 30. Edinb. 1790.) under the name of " Carlo Rosetti, a Venetian merchant, a young man of capacity and intrigue." Bruce was in Cairo in the beginning of July, 1768. Signor Rosetti told us he well remembered Bruce, and entertained no doubt as to the truth of the narrative which he published concerning his travels.

(2) "There is also at Cairo a Venetian Consul, and a house of that nation called Pini, all excellent people." Bruce's Trav. vol. I. p. 26.