THE MODERN HISTORY AND CONDITION OF EGYPT, ITS CLIMATE, DISEASES, AND CAPABILITIES; EXHIBITED IN A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF TRAVELS IN THAT COUNTRY: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF MOHAMMED ALI PASCHA, FROM 1801 To 1843; INTERSPERSED WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY, THE FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY, AND THE PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION IN THE EAST. BY WILLIAM HOLT YATES, M.D. MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS IN LONDON, GRADUATE OF THE "L'univers est un gros livre dont celui qui n'a jamais voyagé, ressemble IN TWO VOLUMES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. VOL. I. LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. LELANDS. UNIM PREFACE. It is not a little extraordinary, that although so many works have appeared on Egypt, we have no history of the country since 1807, when General Fraser's unfortunate expedition was undertaken, after the expulsion of the French by Nelson, Abercrombie, Smith, and Hutchinson. No countries have excited greater interest in the public mind than Egypt and Syria; and none are likely to engage a larger share of attention in time to come. During more than forty years, a struggle between the two leading Powers of Europe has been maintained for political ascendancy in the East, and many have been the schemes for preserving the balance of power in the Mediterranean, and the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. The appearance of the French in Egypt was a signal for the advancement of bold and enterprizing characters; and it became the stepping-stone to the fortunes of Mohammed Ali, through whose prowess, extraordinary shrewdness, and desperate measures, innovation upon Mussulmaun prejudices, and the consequent breaking down of the most formidable barrier to the advancement of Christianity and civilization, in fulfilment of the mysterious and wonderful designs of Providence, has (unconsciously on his part) been effected. I have given a sketch of the life of this extraordinary man, and traced 7 4 5 7 7 |