Chapter I: Front Matter

FRUITS OF ENTERPRIZE
EXHIBITED IN THE
ADVENTURES OF BELZONI
IN
EGYPT AND NUBIA

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF
HIS DISCOVERIES IN THE PYRAMIDS,
AMONG THE RUINS OF CITIES, AND IN THE ANCIENT TOMBS.

“LABOR OMNIA VINCIT.”

A NEW EDITION, REVISED, WITH ADDITIONS.

NEW YORK:
CHARLES S. FRANCIS, 252 BROADWAY

BOSTON:
JOSEPH H. FRANCIS, 128 WASHINGTON STREET.

1843.

NOTICE.

Placed in an amphitheatre of boundless extent, and surrounded by an immense variety of objects, young persons are naturally inquisitive, and delighted with every new accession of knowledge; and as truth is no longer deemed incompatible with amusement, the most pleasing mode of conveying the former appears to be to blend it with the latter.

Influenced by this belief, the compiler of this little volume was induced to place it in the “Library of Instructive Amusement;” she is happy in having an opportunity of acknowledging her thanks to the enterprising traveller, who politely gave her his permission to do so.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Bernard’s picture.--Situation of Egypt.--Belzoni introduced.--Motives
for his going into Egypt.--Poor success of his hydraulic machine.--His
thoughts turned towards the Antiquities of the country.--Difficulty in
removing Young Memnon from Thebes to Cairo.--Belzoni’s visit to a Mummy
cave.--Deceit of the Arabs. 13

CHAPTER II.

Egyptian Customs.--Belzoni goes up the Nile to Nubia.--Visits the
Island of Elephantis.--Arrives at Ybsambul.--Attempts to open its
magnificent Temple.--Obliged for want of time and money to give
up the project.--Visits the little island of Mainarty.--Danger
on the Cataract.--Returns to Thebes.--Removal of Young Memnon to
Cairo.--Belzoni resides for a short time at Rosetta. 45

CHAPTER III.

Bernard’s perseverance.--Belzoni’s second Voyage.--Rapid Journey
from Minieh to Thebes.--Superb Temple at Carnac.--Works carried
on both at Gournou and Carnac.--Mummy Caves.--Belzoni’s object
in entering them.--Manufactures of the ancient Egyptians.--Their
Idols.--Curious Habitations at Gournou.--He revisits Ybsambul.--Opens
the Temple.--Returns highly gratified to Thebes. 70

CHAPTER IV.

Emily amused with a description of Greenland.--Belzoni makes the valley
of Beban el Malook the scene of his researches.--He enters and explores
the tomb of Psammuthis.--Receives a visit from Hamed Aga.--Returns
to Cairo.--Visits the Pyramids.--Time and purpose of their erection
uncertain.--Enters one which for more than one thousand years had
appeared a solid mass of stones. 101

CHAPTER V.

Belzoni’s journey to the Red Sea.--Motives for going there.--Inundation
of the Nile.--The Caravan crosses the Desert.--Account of Ababde, an
independent tribe, residing among the rocks on the coast of the Red
Sea.--Journey in search for the ancient city of Berenice. 126

CHAPTER VI.

Search for the ancient city of Berenice.--The boats of the Ababde
fishermen described.--Discovers the remains of the Berenice mentioned
by a former traveller.--Returns towards Esne.--Meets with two shepherd
girls tending their sheep on the mountains.--Sufferings of travellers
in crossing the Deserts.--The caravan reaches the banks of the
Nile.--Belzoni returns to Gournou. 140

CHAPTER VII.

Dr. Franklin’s kite.--Some sailors ascend Pompey’s Pillar by means of
a paper kite.--Removal of the obelisk from the Island of Philoe.--It
falls into the Nile.--Ingenious method of raising it.--It is launched
down the cataract.--Arrives in safety in Rosetta.--Belzoni goes to
Beban el Malook.--Completes his drawings and models of the Tomb.--Bids
final adieu to Thebes.--Traverses the Western Desert in search of the
Temple of Jupiter Ammon.--Procures a donkey at Benisoeuf.--Reaches the
Lake Mœris.--Rose-trees in profusion. 156

CHAPTER VIII.

Crosses Lake Mœris and visits the temple of Haron among the rocks near
the lake.--Disturbs a hyena.--Account of the famous Labyrinth.--Visit
to the Elloah.--An interview with Khalil Bey.--Account of
the Bedouins.--Belzoni crosses the Desert attended by Scheik
Grumar.--Brought to a halt by a sentinel with a musket.--Arrival at
Zaboo.--Interview with the Scheik and Kadee of El Cassar.--Belzoni
goes to their village.--Discovers the seat of the temple.--Meets
with an unfortunate accident on his return to Zaboo.--Reaches
Benisoeuf.--Arrives at Cairo.--Embarks for Europe.--Returns to
England. 172