DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0150
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 117
they could, and no provision made for their subsistence.
The consequence of such oppression may be easily con-
ceived.
The Kamseen winds, which had been prevalent in nxy
voyage up the Nile, had been succeeded, as usual, by the
north winds in my descent, often with such violence as to
prevent the possibility of continuing my course, and pro-
duced the sickness felt at sea to some of my boat's crew.
At Thebes, about the 20th of June, the same time men-
tioned by Denon, I observed the beginning of the inundation,
with the same preceding symptoms, a stillness of water, and
its change to a muddy white colour. By the time I arrived
at Boolac it was much increased ; its daily rise was an-
nounced by the public criers*; and on the 12th of August
1 was witness to the ceremon}' of cutting the dyke of the
canal conveying the waters of the Nile to Cairo. I formed
one of a party, consisting of Colonel Misset's secretary and
his wife, and Mr. Buckingham, whose name I have before
mentioned. We hired a cangia, and left Boolac before day-
light, amongst crowds of boats. Each boat had a light; and
* Benjamin of Tudela mentions in his time, that the Nilometer was mea-
sured every day during the inundation by a man, who then cried to the inhabit-
ants of Misraim and Tsohan, " Thank God ! for the river has risen to such and
such a height." These words are still used. He travelled in the 12th century.
they could, and no provision made for their subsistence.
The consequence of such oppression may be easily con-
ceived.
The Kamseen winds, which had been prevalent in nxy
voyage up the Nile, had been succeeded, as usual, by the
north winds in my descent, often with such violence as to
prevent the possibility of continuing my course, and pro-
duced the sickness felt at sea to some of my boat's crew.
At Thebes, about the 20th of June, the same time men-
tioned by Denon, I observed the beginning of the inundation,
with the same preceding symptoms, a stillness of water, and
its change to a muddy white colour. By the time I arrived
at Boolac it was much increased ; its daily rise was an-
nounced by the public criers*; and on the 12th of August
1 was witness to the ceremon}' of cutting the dyke of the
canal conveying the waters of the Nile to Cairo. I formed
one of a party, consisting of Colonel Misset's secretary and
his wife, and Mr. Buckingham, whose name I have before
mentioned. We hired a cangia, and left Boolac before day-
light, amongst crowds of boats. Each boat had a light; and
* Benjamin of Tudela mentions in his time, that the Nilometer was mea-
sured every day during the inundation by a man, who then cried to the inhabit-
ants of Misraim and Tsohan, " Thank God ! for the river has risen to such and
such a height." These words are still used. He travelled in the 12th century.