Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt, Tr. by A. Aikin - Softcover

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. 1803 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. Arrival of the Fleet at Malta--Attack on the Town and Capitulation--The Fleet pursue their Voyage--Accident at Sea--Discover the Britijh Fleet near Candia--Make the Coajl of Egypt--Barren Appearance of the Land--Tower of the Arabs--View of Alexandria from Sea--The Army disembark and carry Fort Marabou. A T five in the afternoon we were off Cumino and Cuminotto, two iflots which lie between Gozo and Malta, and which, together with these islands, constitute the whole of the sovereignty of the Grand Master. There are several small fortresses tresses to protect these iflots from the Barbary pirates, and to prevent them from establishing themselves there when the Maltese gallies are no-longer at sea. One of our barks approached, but a landing was refused: she sent her small boat to sound the anchoring grounds. At fix o'clock we descried Malta, the aspect of which delighted me as much as when I first saw it. Two paltry barks came out to offer us tobacco. The evening clofed, and not a light was to be discovered in the city. Our frigate was off the entrance of the port, within less than a 'gun shot of fort St. Elmo. Orders were given to prepare for landing the troops. At nine o'clock a signal was made for the (hips to take their stations: there was little or no wind: the ships of the line made night signals relative to these movements,. and to thofe of the convoy. Rockets were let off, and and guns fired, in consequence of which all the lights were extinguished in the port. Our captain went on board the flag-ship, but on his return concealed from us the orders he had received. On the loth, at four in the morning, having been carried away by the strength of the currents, we were to leeward of the island, the eastern part of which was...