CHAP VII.
Arrives at Syene — Goes to see the Cataract— Remarkable Tombs — The Situation of Syene — The Aga proposes a visit to Deir and Ibrim — The Author returns to Kenné,
WE sailed on the 20th, with the wind favouring us, till about an hour before sun-rise, and about nine o'clock came to an anchor on the south end of the palm groves, and north end of the town of Syene, nearly opposite to an island in which there is a small handsome Egyptian temple, pretty entire. It is the temple of *[1] Cnuphis, where formerly was the Nilometer.
Adjoining to the palm trees was a very good comfortable house, belonging to Hussein Schourbatchie, the man that used to be sent from that place to Cairo, to receive the pay of the janissaries in garrison at Syene, upon whom too I had credit for a very small sum.
The reasons of a credit in such a place are three: First, in case of sickness, or purchase of any antiquities: Secondly, that you give the people an idea (a very useful one) that you carry no money about with you: Thirdly, that your
- ↑ * Strabo, lib. xvii. p. 944.
