Chapter VIII: Letter II (1)

_To Dr._ John Lawson, _sometime President of the College of
Phisicians_, London.

SIR,

As your Knowledge in the _Coptic_ or antient _Egyptian_ Language, in the _Arabic_ and _Oriental_ Tongues, as likewise your extraordinary Skill both in _Phisic_ and _Philology_, best testifie you to be the fittest Judge of an Art of such Antiquity as _Embalming_; so your favourable Approbation of my Notions herein, has encourag’d me to endeavour finding out the true Progress and exact Method of practising that Art. In order hereunto I first think it not amiss to give a short Geographical Description of the Kingdom of _Egypt_, as also to take notice of the Salubrity of its _Air_ and _Water_, [Sidenote: What to be consider’d as relating to _Embalming_.] Fertility of its _Soil_, and Sagacity of its _Inhabitants_, together with several necessary Remarks on their _Religion_, _Customs_, _Arts_, _Diseases_ and _Phisic_, nay, whatever else may tend to the right Understanding of this Noble but lost Art.

Tho’ _Embalming_ be the chiefly intended Scope of this Letter, yet considering the _Egyptians_ have been always allow’d the first Inventors of Arts and Sciences, and that this particular manner of _Embalming_ was at first us’d by them only, it may be requisite to consider every particular circumstance of Time and Place, the several Drugs, Plants, Minerals and other Advantages which accru’d to them beyond other Nations, and likewise to inquire into the Reasons which induc’d them to study this Art, as also by what means and after what manner they came to find it out.

This indeed may seem to some a Digression from our Subject, yet the Consequence of it will not prove a little advantageous to the Reader, besides, like the Interlude of a Tragedy, may somewhat divert the Melancholiness of our _Discourse about the Dead_. But before I proceed to particulars, I shall speak somewhat of _Egypt_ in general, [Sidenote: _Egypt_, how scituate and bounded.] which the antient Geographers plac’d partly in _Africa_ and partly in _Asia_, making the River _Nile_ the Boundary between those two great parts of the World; but _Egypt_, according to the most common receiv’d Opinion, is at present held to be all scituate in _Africa_, and bounded on the _East_ by _Idumæa_, and the _Arabian Gulph_ or _Red Sea_, on the _West_ by the Desarts of _Barca_, _Lybia_ and _Numidia_, on the _North_ by the _Egyptian Sea_, being part of the _Mediterranean_, and on the _South_ by _Nubia_, the last City of _Egypt_, that way being _Assuan_. [Sidenote: Its Denomination.] This Country, says _Heylin_ in his Cosmography, _p._ 841. has had several Names given it by prophane Authors, as, _First_, _Aeria_, from the Serenity of its Air, which is seldom Cloudy. _Secondly_, _Potamia_, from the propinquity of the Sea, which washes two sides of it. _Thirdly_, _Ogygia_, from _Ogyges_, a suppos’d King thereof. _Fourthly_, _Melampodus_, from the black colour of its Soil. _Fifthly_, _Osiria_, from the God _Osiris_, here in high esteem. _Sixthly_, and lastly, it was call’d _Ægyptus_, which in the end prevail’d over all the rest, either from _Ægyptus_ Brother of _Danaus_, once King hereof (in the Stories of this Nation better known by the Name of _Rameses_) or else from _Ægyptus_, the old Name of the River _Nile_, whose annual overflowings bringing Soil and Rubbish from the higher Countries, gave occasion to some to believe it rais’d into firm Land, and gain’d out of the Sea, who therefore call’d it _Nili Donum_, the Gift of _Nile_; yet some there are who would have it call’d _Ægyptus_, from _Aiguphtus_, deriv’d from _Aicoptus_, which signifies the Land or Country of _Coptus_, that being suppos’d to have been antiently its chief City, built by _Coptus_, whose Genealogy and Descent is thus describ’d by Father _Vansleb_ in his Relation of _Egypt_, p. 3. Cham, says he, _one of the three Sons of_ Noah, _had four Male Children_, Cus, Misraim, Fut _and_ Canaan; Cus _was Father of the_ Abyssins, Misraim _of the_ Copties _and_ Nubians, Fut _of the_ Africans, _and_ Canaan _of the_ Syrians _and their Neighbours_. Misraim _after the Deluge, as_ Macrizi _an Arabian Historian says, pitch’d upon_ Egypt, _made there his Abode, and left that and the Country, as far as the farthest Part of_ Africa, _to his Posterity: He had likewise four Sons_, Ischemun, Atrib, Sà _and_ Coptus, _among whom he equally divided the Land of_ Egypt. Coptus _had all that Tract of Land from_ Assuan _or_ Isvan _to the City of_ Coptus; Ischemun _all the Country from that City to_ Menuf _or_ Memphis, Atrib _had the heart and middle of_ Egypt; _now call’d_ Delta; _and_ Sà _all the Continent, from the Province of_ Beheire _as far as_ Barbary: _They all built Cities in their several Dominions, calling them after their own Names. After the decease of their Father, the four Brothers were at variance about the Soveraignty, neither of them caring to endure a Partner; at length they resolv’d to end their Controversy by Battel, which was to give the chief Command to the Victor._ [Sidenote: Govern’d by _Coptus_.] Coptus _the youngest overcame the rest, and was consequently acknowledg’d chief Lord by all. He chose the City of_ Menuf _or_ Memphis, _where his Father liv’d, for his Residence: From this first King all the Race of the_ Egyptians _have been since call’d_ Copties: _From him likewise the_ Greeks _gave the Name of_ Αἰγύπτος _to the Land of_ Egypt, _by changing_ K. _into_ G. _which was allowable not only in that Language, but also in the_ Arabian. _The_ Moors _and_ Copties, _natural Inhabitants of_ Egypt, _now call it_ Massr, _from_ Misraim, _eldest Son of_ Cham, _and Gran-Child of_ Noah, _who first laid the Foundation of that Kingdom after the Deluge: From this_ Misraim _the_ Turks _have also nam’d_ Egypt Missir, _which is very near the Hebrew_ Misraim; _and the_ Jews _to this Day call it_ Eretz Misraim, _the Country of_ Misraim. This may suffice as to its Denominations and Etimology.

[Sidenote: Its _Extent_.]

_Nubiensis Geographia_ makes it to extend in length from _Assuan_ to the _Mediterranean_, 25 Days Journey, which is about 655 English Miles, and in breadth 8 Days Journey or 200 Miles; but _Sandys_ and _Vansleb_ agree ’tis from _North_ to _South_ only 560 Miles, the latter alledging it scarce possible to declare its length precisely, by reason they are not wont in that Country to measure by Miles or Leagues, but by Camels Journeys only. As to its breadth, _Leo Africanus_ says, _p._ 296, it is from _East_ to _West_ 50 Miles, being narrow towards the _South_, but broader to the _North_ towards the _Mediterranean_. _Sandys_ likewise, _p._ 72. says, That by reason of its being so contracted among barren Mountains, it is in many Places hardly 4, in few above 8 Miles broad, till not far above _Cairo_ it begins by degrees to enlarge it self, and so continues even to the Sea, being between _Rosetta_ and _Damiata_, which stand on the _West_ and _East_-Confines of that which is overflow’d by the natural Course of the River, 140 Miles, and from _Rosetta_ to _Alexandria_ 30.

[Sidenote: Antient and modern _Division_.]

Concerning the Division of this Country, the Ancients have taken occasion to divide it first into high and low, and then into high, middle and low; the higher they call’d _Thebais_, from a Place call’d _Thebes_, at present _Saida_; the middle they nam’d _Septanomos_, from the seven _Nomi_, Provostships or Governments it contain’d, at present _Bechira_ or _Demesor_; the lower and more particular _Egypt_ they call’d _Delta_, from its likeness to the Figure of the _Greek_ Letter Δ. _Egypt_, according to _Sandys_, p. 85. is now divided into three Parts or Provinces; that which lies _South_ of _Cairo_ is call’d _Sahid_, that between _Cairo_, _Rosetta_ and _Alexandria_, _Errif_, that between _Cairo_, _Damiata_ and _Tenese_, _Maremnia_, _Bechiria_: The _Pharaohs_ and _Egyptian_ Nobility resided in _Saida_, the _Ptolomies_ in _Errif_, and the _Romans_ and _Greeks_ along the Sea-Coasts.

[Sidenote: The River _Nile_.]

I must now proceed to speak of the River _Nile_, which crossing great part of _Æthiopia_, and then entring _Egypt_, runs the whole length of that Kingdom, and after dividing and spreading it self into many Branches, ends in the _Mediterranean Sea_. This River was thought by the Ancients not to have its equal, and is still reputed one of the most considerable of the World, having somewhat wonderful and peculiar to it self, whether one considers its _Source_ or _Effects_. To this River _Egypt_ ows its Fertility, and its Inhabitants the greatest of Felicities, their Health and Fortunes, yet neither could their rich Princes or wise Priests ever discover its _Source_ or _Origin_. ’Tis this has baffl’d the greatest Philosophers, and withstood the Attempts of all their Kings, _Roman_ Emperors, Sultans and other Potentates, who, notwithstanding they endeavour’d it with vast Expenses, always prov’d unsuccessful: Thus _Sesostris_, _Ptolemy_ and _Cyrus_ sought for it in vain; _Alexander_ the Great consulted the Oracle of _Jupiter Ammon_ in order to find it out, and _Cambyses_, as _Strabo_ witnesses, spent a whole Year to the same purpose, yet both were disappointed: _Julius Cæsar_ also, if we may believe _Lucan_, said, He would have given over his pursuit of the Civil War, could he but have been sure to find out this Secret, yet has its Spring-Head remain’d undiscover’d till of late Years, when it was happily pitch’d upon by the _Portugueses_, which makes me of the Opinion of _Le Bruyn_, That no Persons are more capable of making these Searches and Discoveries than the _Roman Missionaries_; for on one hand they make it their Duty and perpetual Employment to go about everywhere gaining Proselites, and subjecting them to the See of _Rome_, and on the other, under pretence of Devotion, and by virtue of their poor and simple Habit, may easily penetrate the most remote Countries, inaccessible to other Travellers by reason of the Dangers that are to be met with. Now ’tis certain almost all those Missionaries, especially the _Jesuites_, are most capable of making these Searches, by reason of their insinuating and cunning Ways, so that making it their Business, as they commonly do, they must be most likely to succeed therein; ’tis therefore to their Care and Pains we are indebted for two considerable Discoveries, of the Source and Rise of this River; the first made by _Peter Pais_, and the second by Father _Telles_ a Jesuit, which last being the shorter Account, yet no less Correct, I shall here insert it as he has given it us in his History of _Æthiopia_, printed at _Lisbon_.

[Sidenote: The Rise and Course of the River _Nile_.]

_In the Kingdom of_ Gojam, _about_ 12 _Degrees from the Equinoctial towards the_ West, _and in the Province of_ Sacahala, _inhabited by the_ Agaus, _in a Field of no great extent, incompass’d by many high Mountains, is a small Lake, over which one may cast a Stone, full of Bushes and low Trees, whereof the Roots are so thick and intangl’d, that in Summer one may pass over them dry shod. In the middle of this Lake are two great and deep Fountains very near each other, whence issues out a clear Water that runs under these Bushes and Shrubs, in two several Channels. Towards the_ East, _and about the distance of a Musket-Shot, they turn to the_ North. _About half a Mile from thence there appears a great deal of Water, and a considerable River, into which run many other Streams. About 15 Miles farther it receives another larger Water call’d_ Gema, _which looses then its Name. A little farther, turning towards the_ East, _it receives two other considerable Streams call’d_ Kelti _and_ Branti: _Near this Place is the first fall of the River; not much farther running towards the_ East, _it enters the Lake of the_ Abyssins, _nam’d_ Bahr Dembea, _or the Sea of_ Dembea. _When it has pass’d through this Lake, without mingling with its Waters, it receives many other great Rivers, and chiefly the River_ Tekeze _near_ Egypt. _So soon as_ Nile _is out of the Lake_ Dembea, _it turns to the_ South-East, _leaving on the left the Kingdoms of_ Beg-amidr, Amhara _and_ Voleca; _afterwards running towards the_ South, _it has on the_ South-East _the Kingdom of_ Sauva, _and then turning again to_ East-North-East, _has on the_ South, Ganz, Gafata _and_ Bizamo, _passing through the Countries of_ Gonga _and_ Gafre; _a little farther it passes by_ Fascalo, _then enters the Country of_ Funch _or_ Nubia, _whence it runs into_ Egypt, _as Father_ Telles _affirms_. But how it is there distributed and divided, I shall shew by and by, after I have mention’d two of its Principal _Cataracts_ or _Cascades_ of a surprizing Nature.

[Sidenote: Its _Cataracts_.]

One of these is at _Ilack_, in _Numidia_, and the other above _Siene_ in _Egypt_, being 12 Days Journey from each other. _Ptolomy_ calls the most Southern, the _Great Cataract_, and the other, which he places about _Siene_, now _Assuan_, the _Lesser_. This falls about 50 foot, but the other three times as high, which last rouling off the Rocks into a vast Abyss, the Waters, says _Sandys_, p. 73. make such a roaring Noise, that a Colony, planted there by the _Persians_, were made almost Deaf with it, and glad to abandon their Habitations, tho’ otherwise plentifully provided with all Necessaries of Life. The adjoyning People nevertheless are of that incredible boldness, that daring to commit themselves in little Boats (capable of holding only two, whereof the one Steers and the other Rows) unto the raging Current, and impetuous Eddies, have been seen to pass the Streights of the Rocks by little Channels, and at length to rush down with the Stream, to the amazement of all Beholders, who giving them up for lost, beheld them a while after as if shot out of an Engin, far from the place of their Fall, rowing safely in the asswaged Waters; but _Danet_ will not allow the Noise made by the Cataracts, renders the neighbouring Inhabitants Deaf, tho’ the same may be heard 3 Days Journey off, and the Waters which rush down appear like Smoak, being forc’d with so great a violence, that they form a kind of Arch, and leave so great a space between, that a Man may pass it without being wet: There are also Seats cut under the Rocks, where Travellers may rest themselves.

The other _Cascade_, as _Sandys_, p. 73. tells us, is a little above the place where once stood the City _Elephantis_: There two pointed Rocks nam’d _Crophi_ and _Mophi_, or the Veins of _Nilus_, lift up their eminent Heads, making the lesser Cataract by falling down with a furious Cascade into the upper _Egypt_; then running from _South_ to _North_ very leisurely, it divides its self into two navigable Branches. That towards the _East_ runs into the Midland Sea near _Damiata_, heretofore _Pelusium_, while the other inclining to the _West_, and formerly call’d _Canopus_, falls into the self same Sea a little below _Rosetta_, making, of the richest Portion of the Land of _Egypt_, a triangular Island, call’d _Delta_, in that being thus inclos’d between these two Branches and the Sea, it bears the form of that Letter. Two other Branches there are which run between these, but poor in Water, besides divers Channels cut by the Labour of Man, for better Conveyance during the Time of Inundation.

[Sidenote: Its _Ostiaries_ or _Mouths_.]

_Herodotus_ and _Strabo_ reckon up seven Mouths of the _Nile_, but _Egypt_ has been so much chang’d since their Time, that there is hardly any appearance or remembrance of the seven Cities they mention. _Ptolemy_, in his Geography, expresly gives the names of nine; but surely most of them must have been stop’d up by the Sands, since at present there are but three or four at most, as is affirm’d by _William_ Arch-Bishop of _Tyre_, in his IX. Book, _De Bell. Sac._ cap. 33. and by _Le Bruyn_ in his Voyage to the _Levant_, p. 161. who went on purpose to make such Discoveries. But this is however remarkable, that the fresh Waters of the _Nile_, keeping themselves united in a Body, and falling into the salt Water or Sea, change the Colour of the _Mediterranean_ farther than any part thereof can be seen from the Shore. [Sidenote: Its _Inundation_.] Yet amongst all the Misteries of Nature, none is more wonderful than the Overflowing of this River, nor any Thing more Beneficial; since to this alone the Inhabitants owe not only their Riches but their Health, the most malignant Diseases immediately ceasing at the Approach of it, and Famine and Dearth are as quickly expell’d. It brings a Mirth and Joy to those People, and of a meer Desart it was before, for such is _Egypt_ unwater’d by the _Nile_, makes that Country the most fruitful of any in the habitable World.

Now the Earth, which had been so long scorch’d by the violent heat of the Sun, is plentifully refresh’d with abundant Waters, and the very Cattel seem to rejoyce at the approaching verdant Season: Boats are row’d where not long before Men trod, and the Waters fill up the dusty Channels and long empty’d Cisterns, covering in many Places the whole superficies of the Land, making it appear as a troubl’d Lake. Nor is this an unpleasant sight to the Natives, who think the less they see of their Country, the more their Comfort will be. During this Inundation they keep their Beasts and Cattel on the tops of such little Hills, as either the Providence of Nature, or Industry of Man has prepar’d, where they abide, waiting patiently for the decrease of the Waters. On these Hills also stand most of their Towns and Villages, appearing, in the time of the Flood; like so many Islands, the People in the mean Time holding Commerce and continual Traffick, by intercourse of Boats and Shallops, in which they transport their marketable Commodities from one Place to another.

[Sidenote: Time of its Increase.]

This Increase of Waters begins about the 16th or 17th of _June_, when the _Nile_ swells above its Banks for the space of 40 Days, and in as many more gathers its Waters again to their proper Bounds; so that its greatest height is about the end of _July_, and decrease about the beginning of _September_. If it begins sooner or later, the People give Judgment whether there will be more or less Water, and consequently are advertis’d to the end they may take Order for what they have to do. The Increase is known by certain Pillars in their Towns, and particularly in the Castle of _Roude_, which stands in a little Isle opposite to old _Cairo_, where the _Bassa_ resides, during the Solemnity of opening the _Khalis_ or Channel, which passes thro’ and fills the Cisterns of _Grand Cairo_. It is also known in the Fields by _Asps_, _Tortoises_, _Crawfish_, _Crocodiles_, &c. who remove their Eggs or Young from the Banks of the _Nile_, immediately before the Inundation, and lay them up where they may be preserv’d.

[Sidenote: Its Effects.]

Now answerable to the Increase of this River is the Plenty or Scarcity of the succeeding Year. _Heylin_ in his Cosmography writes, If it flow not to the height of 15 Cubits, then the Earth will be deficient in her Abundance or Increase for want of Moisture; and if it surmount the superficies of the Earth, more than 17 Cubits, then, like a drunken Man, it cannot produce its natural Operation, having its Stomach cloy’d and surcharg’d as it were with too much Liquor; but if a moderate flowing happen, then can no Country boast of a like Fertility, the Flood bringing with it both Earth and Water into a sandy and thirsty Soil, which as well manures as moistens it with the Fat and pregnant Slime it leaves behind, and, as I said before, produces both Riches and Health; for the _Plague_, which here oftentimes miserably rages, upon the first Day of the Flood instantly ceases, insomuch, that whereas 500 had died at _Cairo_ the Day before, on the Day following there dies not one Man. But if it at any Time happens that the River does not thus overflow the Country, then is it commonly the fore-runner of a following Dearth. Thus, when this River flows but to 16 Degrees, they fear a Famine, but when it comes to 23, ’tis a sign of a good Year, whereas when ’tis too high the Inundation is dangerous. _Thevenot_ says, If it rises but to 16 Foot, a Famine unavoidably follows for want of Water; and if it swells to 24, there will be a Dearth, because the Seed-Time must be lost. There are besides many other rare Properties belonging to this River, which to relate would make my Digression too long, and my intent was only to mention such Things as chiefly tend to a Natural History, among which, those curious Observations made by Father _Vansleb_ are most to my purpose, which therefore I shall insert as follows:

[Sidenote: Remarkable _Observations_ on the _Nile_.]

_This is remarkable of_ Nile, _says my Author, That it begins to increase and decrease on a certain Day, and that when it first increases, it grows green and afterwards appears red: The Day on which it begins to increase is Yearly the_ 12th _of_ June, _according to the_ Copties _Account, or the_ 17th _according to Ours, when the Natives observe the Feast of St._ Michael _the Arch-Angel, on which Feast the Drops begin to fall: Now these Drops, according to the Opinion of the Inhabitants, are Tokens of the Mercies and Blessings of GOD. They believe GOD sends the Arch-Angel, St._ Michael, _on that Day to cause the River to be Fruitful; this is the common sentiment the People have, but the Learned say, these Drops are a kind of Dew, which falls towards the last quarter of the Night, near the Morning, and causes the River to be Fertile, Purifies the Air from all Infection of_ Camsin, _and gives Strength and Virtue to whatever it falls upon_.

[Sidenote: _Cause_ of its _Fertility_.]

_These Drops are doubtless the sole Cause of the Fertility of the_ Nile; _for as soon as the Dew is fallen, the Waters begin to corrupt and turn of a greenish Colour: This Colour increases more and more till the River appears as a Lake cover’d all over with Moss; this Colour is to be seen not only in its great Channel, but also in all the Bounds and Branches that come from it, the Cisterns only preserving their Water pure; some Years this green Colour continues about 20 Days, and sometimes longer, but never above 40. The_ Egyptians _call this Time_ il chadraviat, _for then they suffer much, the Water being corrupt and unwholesome, and because good Water is very scarce. These Drops or Dew purifie the Air, for so soon as ever they begin to fall, the_ Plague _ceases to be mortal, none die of it; the Air becomes wholesome, all Diseases are disarm’d, and if any Person happens to be sick of it, he shall be sure not to die. This Dew gives Life to every Thing, and when it falls on the Wheat, causes it to continue many Years without Corruption or Worms, nay makes it far more Nourishing than any Corn on which it has never come. For this Reason the Natives never house the_ Grand Signiors _Corn till this Dew be fallen, to the end it may keep the longer free from Worms_.

[Sidenote: Its _Increase_.]

_The Increase of this River proceeds from several Causes; the first and chiefest of which, is the Fermentation caused therein by this Dew, which falls precisely at the Time before-mention’d. The continual Rains of_ Æthiopia, _that come in_ July, August _and_ September, _which is the Winter Quarter of this Country, together with the great Torrents of Water that rush down from the Mountains, into the Rivers that flow into the_ Nile, _may be look’d on as another Cause of its Increase; for I cannot conceive the Fermentation can last 100 Days, and singly cause it to increase so much as it is wont. The third Cause are the Westerly Winds call’d_ Maestrals, _and by the_ Egyptians Maltem, _which begin about 12 Days before the Dew comes, and continue about four Months without Cessation; they blow directly into the_ Nile, _and hinder the fresh Water from coming out, so that it returns back, which causes the River to swell. So soon as the green Colour is gone, the River begins to turn red and very muddy; ’tis then no doubt the Fermentation is past, and the Waters of_ Æthiopia _are arriv’d in_ Egypt, _which are of that Colour, by reason of the red Earth the furious Torrents from the Mountains carry along with them; for ’tis not probable the Land of_ Egypt, _which is very black, should give that Tincture. In the Year_ 1673, _at the beginning of_ July, _the Water began to turn red, which continu’d to the end of_ December, _the Time the River ordinarily returns to its usual bigness. The_ Egyptians _have an Art to make this muddy Water as clear as Cristal; so soon as the Water-Bearers have fill’d their Vessels, they rub them in the inside with a Paste made of pounded Almonds, which in a short Time causes the Water to become very clear. In such Places where this Paste is not to be had, they use instead of it the Kernels of Apricocks, pounded after the same manner, and some say the Flower of little Beans will have the same Effect._

[Sidenote: _Operation_ of its _Waters_.]

_The Waters of this River have several Operations, for_, First, _They bring a Loosness on new Comers, in case the Parties drink them at their first arrival, and it continues about eight Days_. Secondly, _They cause an Itching in the Skin, which troubles those that drink them when the River increases: This Itch is very small, appearing first about the Arms, then on the Stomach, and afterwards spreading all over the Body, which causes grievous Pain. This Itch comes not only on such as have drunk of the River, but such as drink out of the Cisterns fill’d with River-Water; it lasts about six Weeks._ Thirdly, _About the Months of_ June, July, August _and_ September _it turns into Sweat, but is not so in any other Time of the Year_. Fourthly, _When this Water covers the Earth, it fattens the Land with the Slime it leaves behind. Monsieur_ Thevenot _is mistaken in his Travels into the_ Levant, _where he says, This Slime makes the Ground so fat, that if Sand were not mingl’d with it, it would Rot and Choak whatever is put into it; and that in_ Egypt _they take as much Pains to carry Sand upon their Land, as we do to lay Dung. This is not generally so, for they never use Sand but for Melons, Cucumbers, and such like Fruits, which grow best in sandy Grounds; they never use it for other Fruits and Grains._ Thus far _Vansleb_.

[Sidenote: Their _Virtues_ and _Goodness_.]

_Sandys_, speaking in Commendation of these Waters, says, They procure liberal Urine, curing Pains in the Kidnies, and are a most sovereign Remedy against the _Hypocondriacus Affectus_, or Wind-Melancholy. They are not unpleasantly cold, but of all others the most sweet and wholsome, by reason of their being well concocted by the Sun, which at all Times is, in some part or other, directly over them, and by the length of their Course, running from _South_ to _North_, besides _Ambages_ above 41 Degrees, so that from this River there ascend no Vapours, the Humour being rarifi’d by so long a Progress, which tho’ exhal’d, assumes no visible Body, but undistinguishably mixes with the pure Air, agreeing with the same in tenuity. _Thevenot_ speaks much to the same purpose in his Travels to the _Levant_, fol. 245. where he says, This Water is so wholsome, it never does any harm, tho’ drank to never so great a degree, by reason it comes a great way over Land, to wit, from _Æthiopia_, so that in so long a Course, thro’ so hot a Country, the Sun has Time to correct and purifie it from all Crudities, and indeed it is sweated out as fast as one drinks it.

[Sidenote: Used instead of _Drink_.]

They have no other Water to drink in _Egypt_, therefore most of their Cities, Towns and Villages stand on the Borders of this River; there are also many Canals and deep Ponds which have been caus’d to be cut at convenient Distances, by the Care and Magnificence of their Kings, for the Refreshment and Use of the People, who indeed need no other Drink. The Waters of this River are of such excellent Taste and Virtue, that when _Pescennius Niger_ heard his Souldiers murmur for want of Wine, he thus reply’d, _What! crave ye Wine and yet have_ Nile _to drink of?_ The first Kings of _Egypt_ made such account of them, that they almost drank nothing else; and when _Ptolomy Philadelphus_ marry’d his Daughter _Berenice_ to _Antiochus Theos_, King of _Assyria_, he gave orders that from Time to Time the Waters of _Nile_ should be carry’d her, that she might drink no other Liquor. And indeed all Authors agree these Waters are sweet, healthful and nourishing, and that they keep a long Time without corrupting, for being left to settle but a small Season, they become clean, clear, and so sweet and pleasant, that they excel all others for smoothness and flavour. _Gabriel Sionata_ in his Tract _De Moribus Orientalium_, p. 27. observes, That the Waters of _Nile_, being only kept in Pans three Days, and during that Time expos’d to the heat of the Sun, turn to a pure white Salt; so that the Land of _Egypt_ has an inexhaustible supply of that which is so needful for the Life of Man, and that at small Expence. Moreover, whatever is here valuable proceeds from the Munificence of this River, whose Annual overflow is the only Cause of that wonderful Fertility of the Soil of this Country, which is so great that it is rather to be admir’d than describ’d.

[Sidenote: Fertility of _Egypt_.]

In Times past it was reputed the Granary of the whole World, insomuch, that it was not thought possible for the _Roman_ Empire to subsist without its affluence. Also, after _Selimus_ Emperor of the _Turks_ had conquer’d this Country, he was heard to say, That now he had taken a Farm would plentifully feed his _Jemoglans_. Monsieur _Thevenot_ says, _Egypt_ may well be stil’d an Earthly Paradise; for so great is its increase, that in many Places they reap two considerable Crops a Year; Hay they mow four Times, and as for Pease, Beans, and other Garden-Ware, those grow spontaneously all the Year round. All kinds of Fruit are exceeding plentiful, Grapes only excepted, which it may be Nature keeps back as thinking the Natives of _Egypt_ can want no Wine, since they have so good Water. In a Word, _Lucan_ thus characterizes this Country:

_Terra suis contenta Bonis, non indiga Mercis
Aut_ Jovis, _in Solo tanta est fiducia_ Nilo.

A Land that needs nor Trade nor Rain, a Soil
Pleas’d in it self as confident in _Nile_.

[Sidenote: The _Red Sea_.]

Next we shall speak of the _Red Sea_, as having been so very Famous, both for the miraculous Passage of the _Israelites_ as upon dry Land, and the drowning of _Pharaoh Cenchres_, and all his Followers, as likewise for that thro’ it the Spices of _India_ and _Arabia_ were first brought to _Alexandria_, and thence dispers’d by the _Venetians_ throughout all _Europe_, _Africa_ and _America_, as _Heylin_, p. 852. testifies. The _Turks_ call this Sea the _Gulf_ of _Mecca_, and the Ancients nam’d it the _Arabian Gulf_ or _Red Sea_, the reason of which last, see in Sir _Thomas Brown_’s _Vulgar Errors_, p. 261 and 262. who also tells us several Princes have attempted to cut thro’ the _Isthmus_, or narrow Tract of Land, that parts the _Arabian_ and _Mediterranean Seas_, but whose intent was not immediately to unite those Waters, but to make a Navigable Channel betwixt the former and the _Nile_, the Marks whereof remain to this Day. This was first attempted by _Sesostris_ King of _Egypt_, and afterwards by _Darius_ King of _Persia_, but, for fear of drowning the Country, at length relinquish’d by them both; yet the same Thing was long after re-attempted, and in some measure effected by _Ptolomy Philadelphus_. Now the _Grand Signior_, who is Lord of all this Country, conveys his Gallies into the _Red Sea_ by the _Nile_; for bringing them down to _Grand Cairo_, they are there taken to pieces, carry’d upon Camels Backs, and afterwards put together again at _Sues_, his Port and Naval Station for that Sea, whereby he in effect puts the Design of _Cleopatra_ in execution, who after the Battle at _Actium_, in a different manner, would have convey’d her Gallies into the _Red Sea_. Here, as the same Author affirms, Coral grows in great abundance.

[Sidenote: The _Lake_ of _Mœris_.]

As concerning the Lakes of _Egypt_, that of King _Mœris_ is not only the most admirable, but likewise the largest of all, denominated after his own Name, as is testify’d by _Herodotus_, _Diodorus Siculus_ and _Pliny_; a Work the most useful and wonderful, says _Greaves_ in his _Pyramidographia_, p. 11. if rightly consider’d, that ever was attempted by Man. In the midst of this Lake that King erected two _Pyramids_, one in Memory of himself, and the other of his Wife, each being 600 Feet in height. The Description of both these and of this Lake we have in _Herodotus_; the latter we find also in _Strabo_, but no where so fully as in _Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 1. therefore I shall relate his Words: _Ten Schænes_ (600 Furlongs, tho’ _Strabo_ and _Artemidorus_ before him observe a difference of _Schænes_ in _Egypt_) _above the City_ Memphis, Mœris _dug a Lake of admirable Use, the Greatness of which is incredible, the Circumference of it being said to be 3600 Furlongs, and the Depth in many Places 50 Fathom (200 Cubits or 300 Feet.) Now who that shall seriously consider the vastness of this Work, can forbear asking how many Myriads of Men were employ’d on it, and in how many Years they accomplish’d it? The common Benefit of this Undertaking to those that inhabit_ Egypt, _as also the Wisdom of its Royal Contriver, no Man can sufficiently admire; for since the increase of_ Nile _is not always the same, and that the Country is ever made more Fertile by its moderate Rise, this King contriv’d a Lake to receive the superfluity of the Water, that neither the greatness of the Inundation unseasonably drowning the Country, might occasion Marshes or Lakes, nor the Rivers flowing less than required, corrupt the Fruits for want of Water. This Prince therefore caus’d a Ditch to be cut from the River_ Nile _to this Lake, 80 Furlongs long and 300 Feet broad, by which, sometimes receiving in, and sometimes letting out the Water, he exhibited a seasonable quantity thereof to the Husbandmen, the mouth of this Ditch being sometimes open’d and sometimes shut, yet both not without much Art and great Expence, for he that would either open the_ Sluces _or shut them, was under a necessity of expending at least 50 Talents. This Lake, thus benefiting the_ Egyptians, _has continu’d even to our Times, and from its Author is at this Day call’d_, The Lake of _Mœris. He left a dry place in the midst, on which he built a_ Sepulcher _and two_ Pyramids, _each a Furlong high; one of these he made for himself, and the other for his Wife, placing on each a Marble Statue sitting on a Throne, imagining that by these Works he should transmit to Posterity an indelible Remembrance of his Worth. The Revenue arising from the Fish of this Lake he gave to his Wife for her Unguents and other Ornaments, which is said to have been not less worth to her than a Talent a Day; for according to common report there are 22 sorts of Fish in it, which are taken in such huge quantities, that those who are perpetually employ’d in salting them, of which there is a very large number, can hardly dispatch the Work._ Thus far _Diodorus Siculus_, whose Description of this Lake, as it is much fuller than that of _Herodotus_, so _Herodotus_, Lib. 2. has this memorable Observation which _Diodorus_ omitted. _He says this Lake was made by Hand, as is apparent, because almost in the midst of it there stand two_ Pyramids, _50 Fathoms above Water and as many under: On each of these there is a_ Colossus _of Stone, sitting on a Throne; so that by this means, these_ Pyramids _must in all be 100 Fathoms high_. _Strabo_ likewise, _Lib._ 17. says, _This Lake is wonderful, being like a Sea both for largeness and Colour_.

[Sidenote: The _Dead Sea_ or _Lake Asphaltites_.]

But now I am speaking of Seas and Lakes I will mention one more, which tho’ not in _Egypt_ but in _Palestine_, is not yet above 2 _Italian_ Miles off _Damiata_, as _Le Bruyn_, p. 138. assures us. This Lake is very beneficial as well to the _Holy Land_, in that it plentifully furnishes that Country with Salt, as to _Egypt_, by reason of its large store of Bituminous Matter, of great use in _Embalming_: By some it is call’d _Mare Mortuum_, and by others the _Lake Asphaltites_. The Name of this Sea is suppos’d to have been given it from its largeness and saltness, being 70 Miles long and 16 broad, and so extream salt, that its Water burns like Fire when tasted, and boils up weighty Bodies, insomuch that whatever living Creature is thrown into it, sinks not easily. It is call’d the _Dead Sea_, perhaps from its heavy Waters hardly to be mov’d by the Winds, or else because it has no visible efflux into the Ocean, nor is at all increas’d by the River _Jordan_, and many other Waters that flow into it, or _Thirdly_, In that no living Creature can breath in it, but is on the contrary suffocated by its Bituminous Steams, the great abundance whereof also occasions it to be call’d _Lacus Asphaltites_. Now of this _Asphaltum_ or _Bitumen_ there are several Camel-Loads taken out of it Dayly, as _Thevenot_ assures us, which raise a very great Revenue. _Diodorus Siculus_ moreover tells us, there rise such large pieces of _Bitumen_ out of the midst this Lake, as are 2 or 300 Feet square; the greater sort the Inhabitants term Bulls, and the lesser Calves, which, swimming on the surface of the Water, appear at a distance like so many Islands. The Time of the Lakes throwing up this _Bitumen_, which is Yearly, may be perceiv’d above 20 Days before it comes; for everywhere round, for many Furlongs, a Steam arises with great stench, which changes the natural Colour of all Gold, Silver or Brass near it, till it be again exhal’d; and inasmuch as all adjoyning Parts are thus corrupted with the heat and stench of this Lake, the Inhabitants are commonly infected with Diseases, and their Lives thereby shortn’d. This was once a fruitful Valley, compar’d for delightfulness with Paradise, and call’d _Pentapolis_ from its five Cities; but which being destroy’d by Fire from Heaven, it was thereupon converted into this filthy Lake and barren Desolation which surrounds it, a fearful Monument of Divine Wrath, for the Wickedness of _Sodom_ and _Gomorrha_, two of these five Cities, from the former of which it is also call’d the _Lake_ of _Sodom_. But I make mention of this Lake chiefly for the sake of its _Asphaltum_, so much us’d in the _Embalmings_ of the _Egyptians_, and not that its stench can any ways incommode or prove unhealthful to _Egypt_; for that Country has neither Seas Lakes nor Rivers less prejudicial or more beneficial than the _Nile_, a River sufficient of it self to water the Country, fertilize its Soil, and thereby render its Inhabitants both chearful and healthy.

[Sidenote: Climate of _Egypt_.]

Another Thing to be consider’d, as very useful in the _Natural History_ of _Embalming_, is the Climate of _Egypt_, whether hot or cold, dry or moist, or compriz’d under other general Heads, such as those of the _Heavens_, _Air_, _Water_, _Earth_, _Winds_, _Seasons_, &c. which Qualities, as they are in great measure occasion’d by the _Nile_, so are they also best explain’d by setting forth those of that River, with their Effects; for _Egypt_ by reason of its Southerly Situation is very hot, and during the whole Summer almost insupportable, which being farther increas’d by the reflexion of the Sun on its sandy Soil, renders the Air so exceedingly warm that one can hardly breath in it, which is indeed one of the greatest Inconveniencies _Egypt_ lies under. This heat unavoidably dries up all the Rivers for near six Months together, so that the People must of necessity die with Famine, did not the _Nile_ overflow and fill up their empty Channels, thereby relieving them, thirsty as their Soil. Now the Property of this River is the more remarkable, in that it differs from those of all others, which are only full in Winter; whereas, on the contrary, this overflows in Summer, when there is most occasion for it, as if purposely design’d by Providence to save a famish’d and scorch’d Country. Moreover this is worth taking notice of, that the Soil of _Egypt_ being naturally Sandy and Steril, and withal very dry and scorch’d, is by means of the overflowing of _Nile_ sufficiently water’d, and by the fat Mud it leaves behind made very Fertile and fit for Tillage.

[Sidenote: The _Air_ very hot.]

The Air also of this Country, especially about _Cairo_, and farther towards the _South_, because so near the Line, is extream hot, for there, says _Ogilby_ in his Description of _Egypt_, p. 115. the Sun casts its Beams perpendicularly from _Cancer_, during which Time of violent Heat the People are wont to dwell in Caverns; nay in _Cairo_, in the midst of every House, there are Wells with Water in them, which not only cool the Mansions but refresh their Inhabitants: They have likewise contriv’d large Pipes or Funnels in the midst of their Houses, which standing right up into the Air, with broad Mouths like Bells, and lying open to the _North_, receive the cool Air, which is thereby sent down into the lowermost Rooms. For shade also in the Streets, every Dwelling has a broad Penthouse; and for further refreshment the Inhabitants use Bathing, having curious Bagnio’s of fresh and clear Water from the River _Nile_, without any mixture either of Herbs or medicinal Ingredients.

[Sidenote: Cool’d by the _Nile_ and Annual _Winds_.]

The Heat of this Country is moreover somewhat moderated by the overflowing of _Nile_, and the continual blowing of cool Northerly Winds, otherwise it would be so vehement, neither Man nor Beast could be able to breath in it. In Winter the Air is _hot_ and _dry_, tho’ sometimes a little _cool_, yet generally extream hot, and more prejudicial to the Head than any other part of the Body. _Sandys_ says, p. 76. It is as hot with them in the depth of _Winter_, as with us in the midst of _July_. The Air a Nights is cool, which after Sun-rising becomes a little warm, at Noon very hot, but at Night returns to be cold again, so that its inequality breeds many Diseases; nevertheless, in as much as it is exceeding Serene, being constantly free both from Rain, Clouds, Mists, Fogs, Hail, Snow, _&c._ which rarely happen, it is accounted very healthful; and in this Sense we must take _Herodotus_ Lib. 2. where he says, _The_ Egyptians _are the Healthiest People of the World, by reason of the immutability of their Air_. But that it Rains, Hails and Snows sometimes in that Country, tho’ many of the Ancients deny it, is plainly confirm’d by several modern Writers, wherefore Sir _Thomas Brown_ places that assertion among his Vulgar Errors, and _p._ 260 thus confutes it. _’Tis confirm’d_, says he, _by many, and believ’d by most, that it never Rains in_ Egypt, _the River_ Nile _plentifully supplying that Defect, and bountifully requiting it by its Inundation; yet this must be understood in a qualify’d Sense, that is, that it Rains there but seldom in Summer, and very rarely in Winter_. [Sidenote: Rain in _Egypt_.] But that great Showers do sometimes fall on this Region, besides the Assertion of many Writers, is confirm’d by the Honourable and Occular Testimony of Sir _William Paston_, Bar^{t.} who affirms, That not many Years since it rain’d in _Grand Cairo_ for divers Days together. The same is likewise attested as to other parts of _Egypt_ by _Prosper Alpinus_, who liv’d long in that Country, and has left us an accurate Treatise of the Medicinal Practice there: _Cairi, raro decidunt Pluviæ, Alexandriæ, Pelusiiq; & in omnibus Locis Mari adjacentibus, pluit largissime & sæpe_. That is, _It Rains seldom at_ Cairo, _but at_ Alexandria, Damiata, _and other Places near the Sea, very often and plentifully_. The same likewise is to be inferr’d from this Author concerning Snow, _Rarissime Nix, Grando_, &c. _It seldom either Snows or Hails, wherefore we cannot deny Snow or Hail never to fall because they happen but seldom._ The rarity of them however may be the occasion of that Saying of _Horace_, Lib, 3. Ode 26.

_Memphim carentem Scythonia Nive._

Scorch’d _Memphis_ knows no _Scythian_ Snows.

To all this may be added the Testimony of the Learn’d Mr. _Greaves_, whose Words, as you may find them, _p._ 74, 75. of his accurate Description of the _Pyramids_, I will here insert, by reason they not only prove these Rains, but likewise impart some curious Observations on the Air of _Egypt_ and _Nile_. _I cannot_, says he, _sufficiently wonder at the Ancients who generally deny’d the fall of Rains in_ Egypt. _Plato_ in his _Timæus_ speaking of this Country, where he had liv’d many Years, writes thus, Κατὰ δὲ τὴν δὲ τὴν χώραν οὔτε τότε, οὔτε ἄλλοτε, ἄνωθεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀρούρας ὕδωρ ἐπιῤῥεῖ. _i. e._ But in that Country no Rain falls on the Ground at any Time. _Pomponius Mela_ in express Terms relates, _That_ Egypt _is_ Terra expers Imbrium, miré tamen fertilis; _whereas for two Months_, viz. December _and_ January, _I have not known it Rain so constantly, and with so great impetuosity at_ London, _as I found it to do at_ Alexandria, _the Winds continuing_ N. N. W. _which caus’d me to keep a Diary, as well of the Weather as of my Observations in Astronomy, and that not only there, but also at_ Grand Cairo. _My very noble and worthy Friend, Sir_ William Paston, _observ’d at the same Time that there fell much Rain; so likewise about the end of_ March _following, being at the_ Mummies _somewhat beyond the_ Pyramids _towards the_ South, _there fell a gentle shower of Rain for almost an whole Day together: But it may be the Ancients meant the upper part of_ Egypt, _beyond_ Thebes, _about_ Siene, _and near the_ Catadupæ _or_ Cataracts _of_ Nile _and not the lower Parts; for there indeed I have been told by the_ Egyptians _it seldom Rains, wherefore_ Seneca _Lib._ 4. Natur. Quæst. _may have written true, where he says_, [Sidenote: Snow in _Egypt_] In ea parte quæ in Æthiopiam vergit, _speaking of_ Egypt, aut nulli Imbres sunt aut rari. _But where he says_, Alexandriæ Nives non cadunt, _’tis false; for at my being there in_ January _it snow’d one whole Night. However, farther towards the_ South _than_ Egypt, _between the_ Tropicks, _and near the_ Line, _in the Country of_ Abyssinia _or_ Æthiopia, _there falls every Year, for many Weeks together, store of Rain, as the_ Abyssins _themselves have related at_ Grand Cairo, _which may likewise be confirm’d by_ Josephus Acosta, _Lib._ 1. De naturâ Orbis novi, _where he observes, that in_ Peru _and some other Places, lying in the same Paralel with_ Æthiopia, _they have abundance of Rain. [Sidenote: Cause of the Inundation of _Nile_.] This then is the true Cause of the Inundation of_ Nile _in the Summer-Time, it being then highest when other Rivers are lowest, and not those which are alledg’d by_ Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Plutarch, Aristides, Heliodorus _and others, who are all extreamly troubl’d to give a Reason for the Inundation of this River, imputing it either to the peculiar Nature of its Water, the obstruction of it by the_ Etesiæ, _or else to the melting of the Snows in_ Æthiopia, _which however I verily believe rarely fall in those hot Countries, where the Natives, by reason of the extream Heats, are all Black, and where, if we credit_ Seneca, Argentum replumbatur, _Silver is melted by the scorching Climate, or in a word, to some other such like Reasons of small weight. In_ Diodorus Siculus _I find_ Agatharcides Cnidius _giving almost the same Reason I have done, whose Assertion however those Times gave but little credit to, yet does_ Diodorus _seem to agree with it in these words_, Lib. 1. _Agatharcides Cnidius_ has come nearest the Truth, he affirming that every Year, in the Mountains about _Æthiopia_, there are continual Rains from the Summer Solstice to the Autumnal Equinox, which cause this Inundation of _Nile_. _The Time of this is so certain, that I have known the_ Egyptian _Astronomers put down many Years before in their_ Ephemerides, That such a Day of such a Month the _Nile_ will begin to rise. Thus far _Greaves_, to which I may add an Experiment of the Lord _Bacon_’s concerning the scarcity of Rain in _Egypt_. [Sidenote: An _Experiment_ concerning the scarcity of _Rain_ in _Egypt_.] _’Tis strange_, says he, _p._ 161. _of his_ Natural History, _the River_ Nile _overflowing as it does the Country of_ Egypt, _there should nevertheless be little or no Rain known in that Country. The Cause must lye either in the Nature of the_ Water, _the_ Air, _or of both. As for the_ Water, _it may_, First, _be ascrib’d to its long Course; for swift running Waters vapour less than those that are standing, as those that have been sometimes boyling on the Fire, do not cast so great a steam as they did at first: Now ’tis certain the Waters of_ Nile _are sweeter than others in taste, and excellent good against the_ Stone _and_ Hypocondriacal Melancholy, _which shews they are_ Lenifying. Secondly, _The Reason of this Inundation may be, that these Waters running thro’ a Country of a hot_ Climate _and flat, without shade either from Woods or Hills, the_ Sun _must thereby necessarily have greater power to concoct them. As for the_ Air, _whence I conceive this want of Showers chiefly comes, the Cause must be, that the_ Air _of it self is thin and thirsty, and therefore so soon as ever it gets any moisture from the_ Water, _it imbibes and disperses it throughout its whole Body, not suffering it to remain in a_ Vapour _whereby it might breed_ Rain. Now tho’ it is not to be deny’d that Rains fall sometimes in _Egypt_, yet this may however be averr’d, that they happen but seldom, therefore the Air must consequently be more settl’d than ours and freer from Vapours, Fogs, or the like, which renders it not only healthful, but very beneficial in preserving and _Embalming_ Bodies, they being by nothing so much damnify’d as by uncertain Weather, [Sidenote: Moist _Air_ prejudicial to _Embalming_.] of which we have too sad Experience in this our moist Climate. We are therefore forc’d to supply the want of this, either by a total exclusion of the Air by _Air-Pumps_, by immerging our dead Bodies into Spirituous or Balsamic Liquors, or else by driving away all Damps and Moistures by moderate Fires. This every one knows who has been us’d either to Confectionery, preserving natural Curiosities, or the like, to whom the giving, relaxing or molding Things, serves as a _Thermometer_ whereby to distinguish the several changes and varieties of the Weather.