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ly devised fables.' With all this evidence, would you dispute the truth of these things would you assure us, as some in our day have done, that there is not the shadow of truth in them--What should we think of the understandings of such persons, did we not know that they must pretend all this to justify their indiffer ence that when a man has fallen out with his conscience, he must separate from it for the sake of his own peace?-and that this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness ' rather than light because their deeds ' are evil.'

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"How pleasing is truth! how satisfactory is it to find something to which the mind may adhere with pleasure, after being the dupe of ignorance and error, and like a wave ⚫ of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.'-But though that which is important must always be true, that which is true is not always important. It is otherwise here-as the gospel is a faithful saying,' it is worthy of all acceptation.' Even the angels desire to look into these things;' we no where read of their being naturalists, or astronomers; they pass by moon and stars, and press around the cross. And you, my brethren, are much more concerned than angels; I may take up the language of Moses to the Israelites-Set your witness 'unto all the words which I testify among you this day--for it is not a vain thing; because it is your life.' To you the gospel is not a history of wonders only, the journey of a God from a throne down to a cross, and from a cross back to a throne-it is the interesting narrative of your salvation. Take every other kind of wisdom-how humbling its claims! they are confined to this world. Knowledge, it shall vanish away;' the greater part of it is valuable only for a few years; the knowledge of various languages, and a hundred other things will be useless in a future œconomy. The inquiry is, who has the words of eternal life" who can 'lead us in the way everlasting?' What is a message, which concerns only your property, and the health of your body?the soul is the standard of the man; his supreme happiness must relate principally to the chief part of his nature, and the chief period of his duration. Now the

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gospel fixes its residence in the soul; illuminates all, sanctifies all, harmonizes all; and strikes its blessed influences through eternal ages.

"Contemplate the gospel in connection with youth and with ageobserve its efficacy in the various conditions of prosperity and adver. sity-view its agency in the numerous relations of life, in rulers and in subjects, in parents and in children, and so of the rest.-Drop christianity in a family; spread it through a nation; diffuse it over the world-let all be influenced by its spirit, and governed by its dictates; and I would ask, appealing to infidels themselves, would not a scene be produced, the most lovely, glorious, and beneficial > And would not the language of prophecy be realized? The wilderness and the solitary place shall be made glad for them: and the desert shall ' rejoice and blossom as the rose. It 'shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our 'God.' Thus whether we consider the gospel with regard to man in his individual, or social existence; as an inhabitant of time, or an heir of eter nity-it is a universal benefactor-it is of the highest importance-and as it demands, so it deserves all his attention If any man have ears to hear, let him hear'." p. 153-165.

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Of honied words, that turn to gall and woe;
Confed'racies of profit or of vice,
Where friendship's only firm as faithless ice,
When potent av'rice casts a golden ray,
Dissolves its brittle mass, and floats away;
Fix'd in the breast, where pride or int'rest,
thrives,

And love a secondary passion lives;
Where children cherish'd by affection's ray,
Long in the dust the partial sire to lay;
Tho' daily fondness beams the constant
smile,

And only wisely keeps its own awhile.
Here obligation e'en beneath the wing
That hatches it to life will fix a sting;

Here worth is trampled down by mounted pride;

And modesty by av'rice push'd aside;
Such slow discernment guides the stupid

crowd,

That impudence for talent is allow'd.

In life's true masquerade fools are so blind, That half a thin disguise will cheat man kind;

Here ostentation weak expedients tries,
To lead from happiness our wand'ring eyes.
Thou wouldst do good! but be thou pure as

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society for exploring the interior of Africa, which was established in 1788. It gives an account of the travellers who have engaged under the direction of the society, and states the advantages gained, and those which are searches which have been made. likely to be derived from the re

The preface gives an account of Mr. Horneman, his offering himself to, and being accepted by the society, concluding with a letter from him previous to his departure from Cairo, containing the necessary arrangements for his intended journey; from which we learn he was under the necessity of travelling as a Mahommedan merchant, the very supposition of his being a Christian would have exposed him to the danger of death.

This letter also informs us, that upon "the arrival of the French on the coast of Egypt, himself and other Europeans were seized, and confined in the castle, rather as a place of refuge from the indignation and fanaticism of the populace, than as a prison, where they remained until the arrival of the French at Cairo."

He further writes, "Soon after their coming, I made acquaintance thollet and Monge; they liberated with two of their learned men, Berand presented me to the commander in chief, and he received me with every mark of attention and goodness. His regard for science and esteem of learned men are too well known to render it necessary for me to expatiate on these high qualities. He promised me protection, he offered me money, or whatever was requisite for my undertaking, and he directed the necessary passports to be prepared for me." p. xx, xxi. is also added, I have been in some doubt as to the means of sending this letter; but on my request, Generat Bonaparte has, with great goodness, himself condescended to take charge of its safe conveyance." p. xxv.

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To the journal is prefixed a plan of the route of Mr. Horneman from Egypt to Fezzan, with the coasts and Rennell, 1802. countries adjacent, compiled by Major

Chapter II. comprehends the voyage from Cairo to Augila, and contains seven sections, the first of which takes us to Ummesogeir.

On the first day our traveller joined the caravan, he felt some inconvenience, having travelled from break 3 N

of day till noon, and no indication appeared of halt or refreshment, when he observed the principal and richest merchants gnawing a dry biscuit and some onions as they went on, and was then, for the first time, informed that it was not customary to unload the camels for regular repast, or to stop during the day time, but in case of urgent necessity. This his first inconvenience was soon remedied by the hospitality of some Arabs, who were riding near him, and who invited him to partake of their pro

visions.

"Soon after sun-set, our sheik gave the signal for halting, and we pitched our tents."

Our traveller then proceeds to state the following incident, which we have extracted as one specimen of the character and manners of those with whom he associated.

"My dragoman, or interpreter, might, even in Europe, have passed for a good cook; and from remains of the provision which our hospitable friends at Cairo had supplied, was preparing an excellent supper, when an old Arab of Augila, observing his preparations, and that myself was unemployed addressed me nearly as follows: Thou art young, and yet dost not assist in preparing the meal ' of which thou art to partake; such, 'perhaps, may be a custom in the land of infidels, but is not so with us, and especially on a journey: thanks to God, we are not in this desert de'pendent on others, as are these poor 'pilgrims, but eat and drink what we ourselves provide, and as we please. Thou oughtest to learn every thing that the meanest Arab performs, that thou mayest be enabled to assist others in cases of necessity, otherwise thou wilt be less esteemed, as being of less value than a 'mere woman; and many will think they may justly deprive thee of every thing in thy possession, as being unworthy to possess any thing (adding sarcastically) perhaps thou art carrying a large sum of money, and payest those men 'well.' This remonstrance was not thrown away. I immediately assisted in every thing that was not beyond my force, and proportionally gained on the good opinion and esteem of my fellow travellers, and was no longer considered as a weak

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and useless idler in their troop." p. 2, 3.

We have in this section an account of the provision the Arab makes for his journey, and the nature of his food, which is thus described.

"The Arab sets out on his journey with a provision of flour, kuskasa, onions, mutton suet, and oil or butter, and some of the richer class add to this store a proportion of biscuit and of dried flesh. As soon as the camels are halted, and the baggage unladen, the drivers and slaves dig a small hole in the sands wherein to make a fire, and then proceed in search of wood, and of three stones to be placed round the cavity, for the purpose of confining the embers and supporting the cauldron. The cauldron, (which is of copper) being set over, the time till the water begins to boil is employed, first in discussing, and then in preparing, what the mess of the day shall consist of. The ordinary meal is of hasside, a stiff farinaceous pap, served up in a copper dish, which in due economy of utensils and luggage is at other times used for serving water to the camels: when this pap or pudding is thus served on table, it is diluted with a soup poured on it, enriched or seasoned with the monachie dried and finely pulverized. At other times the dinner consists of flour kneaded into a strong dough, which being divided into small cakes and boiled, affords a species of hard dumplins called mijotta. A yet better repast is made of dried meat boiled together with mutton suet, onions sliced thin, crumbled biscuits, salt, and a good quantity of pepper. The meat is at dinner time taken out, and reserved for the master, and the broth alone is the mess of his followers. The slaughtering of a camel affords a feast to the camel drivers and slaves. The friends of the owner of the beast have a preference in the purchase; and after dividing the carcase every slave comes in for a share: no part of the animal, capable of being gnawed by human tooth, is suffered to be lost; the very bones pass through various hands and mouths before they are thrown away. They make sandals of the skin, and they weare the hair into twine.

"It is not on every occasion that time can be allowed, or materials

found, for dressing victuals: in the anticipation of such an exigency, the traveller provides a food called simitée: it consists of barley boiled until it swells, then dried in the sun, and then further dried over the fire; and lastly, being ground into a powder; it is mixed with salt, pepper, and carraway-seed, and put into a leather bag: when it is to be used, it is kneaded into a dough, with just was ter enough to give it consistency, and it is served up with butter or oil. If further diluted with water, then dates are added to the meal, and it is called roum. Such is the food of the traveller when there is a scarcity of fuel or of water, and none can be expended in boiling. I was often, for days together, without other food than this cold farinaceous pap, mixed with a few dates. Onions and red Spanish pepper are the general, and the only seasonings of each meal, with the addition of salt." $ 5, 6.

On the third day from their departure they entered the desert, and on the eleventh arrived at the small village of Ummesogier.

Section II. contains Observations on the Desert from the Valley of Natron to the Mountains of Ummesogier.

This section notices the petrified wood found in this vast tract of sands, and informs us that "sometimes are seen whole trunks of trees of twelve feet in circumference or more, sometimes only branches and twigs, scarcely of a quarter of an inch diameter; and sometimes merely pieces of bark of various kinds, and in particular of the oak, are to be found." "The interior of other bodies of timber was become a petrifaction, shewing no distinctions of grain or fibre, but bearing the appearance of mere stone, though the outward coat and form of the substance clearly denoted the tree." . 8.

"These petrifactions are sometimes scattered in single pieces, but are oftener found in irregular layers, or strata, covering together a considerable space of ground." p. 9.

On the subject of water in this part of the Desert is the following observation. "To the north of the Desert runs a chain of steep and bare calcareous mountains, which were in constant view of our caravan, travelling at the distance of three to seven miles in like direction. At the foot of

these runs a flat tract of moorish swampy land, from one to six miles in breadth, abounding in springs, and to which we resorted every second or third day for a supply of water; but at the period of our journey, the springs throughout the whole valley were nearly dried up. The water which remained, and run or spread on the surface, was bitter; yet digging wells near to these rivulets or marshes we found water at the depth only of five or six feet, which was sweet and palatable." p. 10.

Section III. Ummesogier, and further Journey to Siwah.

In describing the inhabitants of this place the author says, "Its inhabitants, poor as they appeared, receiv ed us with hospitality; they came down, almost to a man, from their houses, and assisted us in watering our camels, or whatever service was required. Towards evening I walked up to the village by a path of very difficult access. Coming to a kind of market-place, in its centre I observ ed bargains making with such eagerness, noise and altercation, that one should suppose the dealings to be of the first moment; but I soon perceived the sellers to be only a few poor pilgrims of our caravan, and their articles of trade to be merely henna hoechel, rings of lead or glass, and such like ornaments for women; which, with a little shot and gunpowder, they were bartering for dates; the merchandise on either side was not altogether worth a crown." p. 11.

Section IV. announces the arrival at Siwah, and describes the place, which the author says is a small independent state, and acknowledges the grand sultan paramount, but pays him no tribute. "It is built upon, and round a mass of rock, in which, according to tradition, the antient people had only caves for their habitation. Indeed the style of building is such, that the actual houses might be taken for caves; they are raised so close to each other that many of the streets, even at noon, are dark, and so intricate that a stranger cannot find his way into or out of the town, small as it is, without a guide. Many of the houses, built on the declivity of the rock, and especially those terminating the de scent towards the plain, are of more than ordinary height, and their walls

particularly thick and strong, so as to form a circumvallation of defence to the town within.

"The people of our caravan compared Siwah to a bee-hive, and the comparison is suitable, whether regarding the general appearance of the eminence thus covered with buildings, the swarm of its people crowded together, or the confused noise, or hum and buz from its narrow passages and streets, and which reach the ear to a considerable distance." p. 14.

"This district is a very fruitful valley, and well watered, and, assisted by no great industry of the natives, it produces corn, oil, and vegetables for the use of man and beast: its chief produce is dates, which from their great quantity and excellent flavour, render the place proverbial for fertility among the surrounding Arabs of the Desert. Each inhabitant possesses one or more gardens, making his relative wealth, and these it is his whole business to water and cultivate. The dates produced are preserved in public magazines, of which the key is kept by the sheik: to these storehouses the dates are brought in baskets closely rammed down, and a register of each deposit is kept.

"North-west of Siwah there is a stratum of salt extending a full mile, and near it salt is found on the surface, lying in clods or small lumps. On this spot rise numerous springs, and frequently a spring of water perfectly sweet is found within a few paces from one which is salt." p. 15,

16.

The nature and administration of their government is thus described. "According to their antient constitution and laws of the state, the government should be vested in twelve sheiks, two of whom were to administer its powers in rotation; but a few years past twenty other wealthy citizens forced themselves into a share of authority, assumed the title of sheik, and enlarging the circle of aristocracy, increased the pretensions and disputes for power. On each matter of public concern they now hold general councils. I attended several of these general meetings, held close to the town wall, where the chiefs were squatted in state; and I observed that a strong voice, violent action, great gesticulation, abetted

by party support and interest, gained the most applause, and carried the greatest influence; perhaps such result is not uncommon in most popular meetings. Whenever these councils cannot agree ultimately on any point, then the leaders and people fly to arms, and the strongest party carries the question. Justice is administered according to antient usage, and general notions of equity. Fines, to be paid in dates, constitute the punishments: for instance, the man who strikes another pays from ten to fifty kaftas or baskets of dates; these baskets, by which every thing in this place is estimated and appraised, are about three feet high, and four in circumference." p. 16.

The dress of the people is described; their character, which represents them to be very great thieves, is given, and a specimen of their language concludes the section.

Section V. Antiquities of Siwah.

As our traveller and his interpreter were suspected of being Christians, it was necessary for him to proceed with caution. He had observed, in approaching the spot destined for their encampment, some ruins of an extensive building, which he visited several times, but on account of the suspicion they entertained of him, he was prevented from making that accurate inspection he desired; for on one of his visits some of the Siwahans said to him, "Thou undoubtedly art yet a Christian in thy heart, else why come so often to visit these works of infidels." This building he supposes to be the famous Temple of Jujiter Ammon. From the cursory view he took, he gives a description of the ruins, and contends, that although these should not be the ruins of the building he supposes, that Siwah had been a residence of the antient Ammonites. He says, "I draw my conclusions from the relative situation of the country; from the quality of the soil; from its fertility; from the information of its inhabitants, that no other such fruitful tract is to be found any where near; and, in addition to the certainty at least that some great and magnificent building once here stood, I derive a further conclusion from the numerous catacombs to be found in the vicinity." p. 25.

Our traveller visited the catacombs, which he briefly describes as of dif ferent extent, and each wrought with

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