Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822 edition. Excerpt: ... TRAVELS IN THE OASES OF THEBES AND EL DAKEL. CHAPTER I. Arrival at Alexandria--Journeys in Nubia, with M. Drovetli.--M. Cailliaud commissioned by the Pacha to explore the Country in search of Mines--He sets out for the Red Sea--Ancient Stations--Egyptian Temple in the Desart--Hieroglyphics engraved on the Rocks--The Arabs' Ababdeh--Route of Berenice--Mount' Zabarah, and the Emerald Mines. An ardent desire to form collections of mineralogy, a science to which I was early attached, induced me to quit Nantes, my native city. Before I reached five-and-twenty, I had visited Holland, Italy, Sicily, and a part of Turkey in Europe. Being informed of the rarities still in existence in Egypt, from the discoveries made and published by the Egyptian Institute: learning also, that this country, so privileged by nature, contained a multiplicity of mineral substances, made subservient, by the art of its ancient inhabitants, to the erection of works of the most magnificent description; I formed the project of visiting also the banks of the Nile: and for this purpose I left Constantinople, in the first month of 1815, and arrived at Alexandria on the twelfth of May in the same year. During my residence in this city, I was so fortunate as to become acquainted with M. Drovetti, Consul-General of France. The character of this worthy Chevalier is well known in Europe, by the signal services he has long rendered to voyagers, as also from his rich collections formed in Egypt, during the last twelve years, intending them for the French Museums. Not long after, he took me with him, in his journey to Nubia, as far as the second cataract of the Nile. On my return, I found myself, by his good offices, standing high in the estimation of the Viceroy, Mohammed Aly...
