CHAP. XI.

Tetradrachm of Tyre.

destruction of the temple of Serapis ',) having in a former publication been explicit, it is not now necessary to expatiate. That the soul's immortality was alluded to, is a fact capable of the strictest demonstration'. The Consul from Berytus also presented to me a magnificent silver tetradrachm of Tyre, with the inscription "OF TYRE HOLY AND·

INVIOLATE

Return to the Fleet.

Loss of the
Iphigenia.

ΤΥΡΟΥΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΤΑΣΥΛΟΥ

and also this monogram, marking the year when it was struck; namely, 183 of the Seleucidan æra :

FP

We left Cyprus on the sixteenth of May, steering for the coast of Egypt, and first made land off Damiata. Thence passing round a head-land, called Cape Brule, we saw again the whole coast of the Delta, as far as the Rosetta branch of the Nile. We arrived in Aboukir Bay upon the morning of the twentieth. An alarm had been given at day-break, as we drew near to the fleet, of smoke issuing from a frigate on fire. It proved to be the Iphigenia, Captain Stackpole, which ship we had so lately seen at Cyprus. She broke from her

(1) Socrates Scholasticus, lib. v. c. 17.

(2) See "Greek Marbles," p. 78.

(3) Ibid. A most satisfactory proof, not only of the Phoenician origin of this medal, but of its relationship to Citium, is afforded by the Citiean Inscriptions published by Pococke, (Description of the East, vol. II. p. 213.) wherein more than one instance occurs of the introduction of the identical symbol, seen upon its obverse side.

her mooring as we were sailing towards her, and, passing
through all the fleet, discharged her guns as they grew hot,
but without doing any mischief. Exactly at nine o'clock,
the very
instant we let go our anchor, she blew up, and
presented a tremendous column of smoke and flame, being
then close in with the shore. We beheld the explosion from
our cabin windows. After it took place, not a vestige of
the ship remained. We breakfasted with Captain Russel,
and took leave of the crew: my brother's barge then
coming alongside, conveyed us to the Braakel.

We had been only two days in the fleet, when, being on board the Dictator, Captain Hardy, to attend a Courtmartial held in consequence of the loss of the Iphigenia, Captain Culverhouse, of the Romulus frigate, said he was ordered to Acre for a supply of bullocks; and asked if we were willing to accompany him. To this proposal we readily assented; happy in the favourable opportunity it offered of enabling us to visit the Holy Land, as well as to become acquainted with a very extraordinary man, Djezzar Pacha, tyrant of Acre, the Herod of his time, whose disregard for the Ottoman Government, and cruel mode of exercising government among his people, rendered him the terror of all the surrounding nations. The old story of Blue Beard seemed altogether realized in the history of this hoary potentate. Sir Sidney Smith entrusted some presents for him to my care; and Captain Culverhouse' expressed a wish that I

would

(4) Neither of these excellent officers, Captain Russel, and Captain Culverhouse, are now living. Captain Russel died of the fever he caught in Cyprus; and Captain Culverhouse

fell

CHAP. XI.

CHAP. XI.

would act as his interpreter with Djezzar's Dragoman, who could only translate the Arabic spoken in the country into the Italian language. We therefore made all things ready for another embarkation. So the Letter in the Lope p. 464.

fell a victim to his endeavours to save a beloved wife, who was upset with him in a boat off the Cape of Good Hope. He narrowly escaped a similar fate in early life, being by accident on shore when the Royal George sunk at Spithead, to which ship he then belonged, as a midshipman.

Departure from Egypt-Course of the Romulus Frigate, in her Voyage to
St. John d'Acre-Djezzar Pacha-Importance of the Port of Acre-
Druses-Interview with Djezzar-its Consequences-Climate of Acre
-Shores of the Mediterranean-Present State of the City-its former
Condition-Remains of Antient Buildings-Medals of ACRE and of
SIDON-Attack upon the Long-boat of the Romulus-Appeal to the
Pacha-his Conduct upon that occasion-Further Interview with
Djezzar-Commerce of Acre.

On Wednesday morning, June 24th, the Romulus having
made the signal for sailing, we left the Braakel, and were
received by Captain Culverhouse upon his quarter-deck, at
eleven o'clock. At half past eleven the ship's crew weighed
anchor. At twelve, the Island of Aboukir, or Nelson's Island,

CHAP. XII.

Departure from Egypt.

bore

CHAP. XII.

bore west, distant five miles'. Our observation of latitude at that time was 31° 26', the ship's course being north-east, Frigate, in her and the wind north-west and by north. An officer, Mr. Paul,

Course of the Romulus

Voyage to

Syria.

came on board from the Foudroyant, as second lieutenant of
the Romulus. At three, P. M. the point of Rosetta bore
south-west and by south, distant five leagues. At six, Cape
Brule bore south of us, distant five leagues; the Romulus
steering east and half north. This day we sailed, upon the
average, about seven miles an hour. At noon,
At noon, Fahrenheit's
thermometer indicated 78°.

Thursday, June the 25th. It had been calm all night. About eight A. M. a light breeze sprung up from the E. S. E. and we were compelled to steer s. s. w. south, and s. S. E. until twelve o'clock. Then found our latitude to be 31° 48′. Nothing more occurred worth notice this day.

Friday, June the 26th. At ten this morning a strange sail appeared, bearing s. E. and by south; the Romulus then steering east, and half south. At eleven, bore up, and made sail towards her. Ship's latitude at noon 31° 48′. At half past one fired a gun, and brought-to the strange vessel. At two o'clock boarded her. She proved to be a Turkish brig from Gaza, bound to Damiata, with ammunition, &c. for the Turkish army. At half past two dismissed her, and bore up again.

Saturday, June the 27th. At five this morning discerned the haze over the coast of Syria, and at seven A. M. made

the

(1) For the sake of greater precision, the Author has detailed the observations as taken from the ship's log-book. The navigation of this part of the Mediterranean being little known, these may, perhaps, not be without utility.