DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6359#0093
82 EGYPT AND ITS MONUMENTS.
may, indeed, be some few features not altogether new; and
some few of the Egyptian customs, in purifying the Avaters of
the stream for use, &c, may recall to the traveller from the
western part of our country, thoughts of home: but in general,
all is novelty, and none the less striking for being a novelty
founded on a rigid adherence to the usages of a remote
antiquity.
Almost every traveller pauses in his narrative to dwell on
the impressions produced by his first sight of and acquaint-
ance with the river of Egypt, even before he has had time to
see, much less study the interesting memorials on its banks.
A very spirited Avriter, who, without entering into philosophi-
cal disquisitions and learned investigations, is content to tell
us, in a very agreeable manner, Avhat he saw, thus describes
his sensations:
" I hastened on board ; the sun had sunk and given place
to a rosy twilight, and the moon peeped up above the rich
level of the Delta. And here I must notice, that what recon-
ciles the traveller to this land of plagues—of flies and beggars,
of dogs and dust and vermin, is not alone the monumental
wonders on the banks of the Nile, but the beauty of the cli-
mate, the lightness of the air, inspiring a genial luxury of sen-
sation, the glorious unfailing sunset, and serene twilight;
reflected in the noble river, and casting over the hoary remains
of antiquity a glow and gorgeousness of hue which heightens
their melancholy grandeur, and gilding over a mud village
until even its filth and misery are forgotten. I mounted the
roof of the little cabin as the broad latine sail swelled smoothly
under the pressure of the Etesian wind, which, at this season
of the inundation, by a wonderful provision of nature, blow*
steadily from the north, thus alone enabling vessels to stem
may, indeed, be some few features not altogether new; and
some few of the Egyptian customs, in purifying the Avaters of
the stream for use, &c, may recall to the traveller from the
western part of our country, thoughts of home: but in general,
all is novelty, and none the less striking for being a novelty
founded on a rigid adherence to the usages of a remote
antiquity.
Almost every traveller pauses in his narrative to dwell on
the impressions produced by his first sight of and acquaint-
ance with the river of Egypt, even before he has had time to
see, much less study the interesting memorials on its banks.
A very spirited Avriter, who, without entering into philosophi-
cal disquisitions and learned investigations, is content to tell
us, in a very agreeable manner, Avhat he saw, thus describes
his sensations:
" I hastened on board ; the sun had sunk and given place
to a rosy twilight, and the moon peeped up above the rich
level of the Delta. And here I must notice, that what recon-
ciles the traveller to this land of plagues—of flies and beggars,
of dogs and dust and vermin, is not alone the monumental
wonders on the banks of the Nile, but the beauty of the cli-
mate, the lightness of the air, inspiring a genial luxury of sen-
sation, the glorious unfailing sunset, and serene twilight;
reflected in the noble river, and casting over the hoary remains
of antiquity a glow and gorgeousness of hue which heightens
their melancholy grandeur, and gilding over a mud village
until even its filth and misery are forgotten. I mounted the
roof of the little cabin as the broad latine sail swelled smoothly
under the pressure of the Etesian wind, which, at this season
of the inundation, by a wonderful provision of nature, blow*
steadily from the north, thus alone enabling vessels to stem