DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0040
VOYAGE TO CAIRO.
15
continues, with scarcely any exceptions, on both the
banks. The lake Marcotis extends along the distance
to the southward ; and on the opposite side a view is
now and then obtained of the glorious Bay of Aboukir,
beyond the intervening desert plains, interspersed with
large ponds, the banks and surface of which are covered
by incrustations of white salt.
November ^th.—We arrived about six at Atfee ;
and, procuring the first boat we could find, which was,
as usual, very dirty, and infested with vermin and rats,
we set out about ten. The wind was favourable, but
so strong, that I could not prevail upon the Janisary to
keep the water even with bare poles ; and we accord-
ingly put into Fouah, a large Arab town, with a cotton
Gate is one undulating surface of ruined foundations, heaps of broken
materials, pottery, &c. Several large columns of excellent work-
manship had been dug up in forming the Frank Burial-grounds, where
excavations, it would therefore appear, might be attempted with great
success ; at all events, many valuable materials, and possibly, also,
interesting inscriptions, might be discovered. A lofty tumulus on the
sea-shore, not far from the modern Lazaretto, is supposed to have been
the tomb of Alexander the Great. The sarcophagus, at present in the
British Museum, was said to have been originally found there; and also
some remarkable alabaster columns, taken by Junot to Paris. The
place had afterwards contained a Columbarium; and since that has
been distinguished by the tomb of a Mahometan Sheik, — memorials
which, although tliey may have confounded the original foundation, yet
tend, in a certain degree, to establish the reputed sanctity of the spot.
The shore, broken in upon by the waves, continually discloses, parti-
cularly near this place, fragments of columns, foundations, &e. of great
extent. It is itself a commanding situation upon " the far-soundiig
shore," and may have formerly been, from its relative position, a fit
station for the monument of the mighty hero.
15
continues, with scarcely any exceptions, on both the
banks. The lake Marcotis extends along the distance
to the southward ; and on the opposite side a view is
now and then obtained of the glorious Bay of Aboukir,
beyond the intervening desert plains, interspersed with
large ponds, the banks and surface of which are covered
by incrustations of white salt.
November ^th.—We arrived about six at Atfee ;
and, procuring the first boat we could find, which was,
as usual, very dirty, and infested with vermin and rats,
we set out about ten. The wind was favourable, but
so strong, that I could not prevail upon the Janisary to
keep the water even with bare poles ; and we accord-
ingly put into Fouah, a large Arab town, with a cotton
Gate is one undulating surface of ruined foundations, heaps of broken
materials, pottery, &c. Several large columns of excellent work-
manship had been dug up in forming the Frank Burial-grounds, where
excavations, it would therefore appear, might be attempted with great
success ; at all events, many valuable materials, and possibly, also,
interesting inscriptions, might be discovered. A lofty tumulus on the
sea-shore, not far from the modern Lazaretto, is supposed to have been
the tomb of Alexander the Great. The sarcophagus, at present in the
British Museum, was said to have been originally found there; and also
some remarkable alabaster columns, taken by Junot to Paris. The
place had afterwards contained a Columbarium; and since that has
been distinguished by the tomb of a Mahometan Sheik, — memorials
which, although tliey may have confounded the original foundation, yet
tend, in a certain degree, to establish the reputed sanctity of the spot.
The shore, broken in upon by the waves, continually discloses, parti-
cularly near this place, fragments of columns, foundations, &e. of great
extent. It is itself a commanding situation upon " the far-soundiig
shore," and may have formerly been, from its relative position, a fit
station for the monument of the mighty hero.