DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4794#0085
81
/ •
9
9
It was also made a matter of doubt whe-
ther the commandant was able to invest this
camp and maintain the blockade after the ex-
tension of his line, three miles. In the re-
solution of this question, it has been ob-
served, “ the French combine so much na-
tional vanity with their opinions, that from
them it is difficult to obtain any honest
judgement?’ They, however, ridicule any
idea either of investment or attack of that
camp ; while General Regnier, who takes
every opportunity to ridicule the English,
never accuses them for their neglect so to
o
do. However opinions may clash, it is not
less certain, that the important possession of
Rahmanieh was acquired with a facility be-
yond the most sanguine expectation ; and,
consequently, the armies of General Menou
and Beliiard were separated by such a vast
tract of the desert, that any more operations
in concert were impossible. The command
of the Nile was also secured to the British,
*
and a communication opened with the whole
of the interior of Egypt. All, however, was
not completed; the French had*retired, not
considerably weakened, and were still in pos-
session of the capital, and the principal for-
tress in the country.
But, to the British general, at this junc-
ture, only two alternatives presented them-
selves ; viz. to proceed to Cairo, or to return'
to Alexandria. Of the difficulties attending
either, none but military men can be the
competent judges ; and, against’much op-
/ •
9
9
It was also made a matter of doubt whe-
ther the commandant was able to invest this
camp and maintain the blockade after the ex-
tension of his line, three miles. In the re-
solution of this question, it has been ob-
served, “ the French combine so much na-
tional vanity with their opinions, that from
them it is difficult to obtain any honest
judgement?’ They, however, ridicule any
idea either of investment or attack of that
camp ; while General Regnier, who takes
every opportunity to ridicule the English,
never accuses them for their neglect so to
o
do. However opinions may clash, it is not
less certain, that the important possession of
Rahmanieh was acquired with a facility be-
yond the most sanguine expectation ; and,
consequently, the armies of General Menou
and Beliiard were separated by such a vast
tract of the desert, that any more operations
in concert were impossible. The command
of the Nile was also secured to the British,
*
and a communication opened with the whole
of the interior of Egypt. All, however, was
not completed; the French had*retired, not
considerably weakened, and were still in pos-
session of the capital, and the principal for-
tress in the country.
But, to the British general, at this junc-
ture, only two alternatives presented them-
selves ; viz. to proceed to Cairo, or to return'
to Alexandria. Of the difficulties attending
either, none but military men can be the
competent judges ; and, against’much op-