quainted. On the 20th we saw ourselves completely surrounded by the combined armies, and all communication from without cut off. On the following days the enemy drove in some of our advanced posts, and began to raise batteries. They had formed a bridge of boats in the villages of Chaubrat, and a body of troops was coming down from Upper Egypt. On the 22d a suspension of arms was agreed upon. On the 23d a conference took place between three French officers, and an equal number of those of the combined armies. On the 24th we proposed the terms of our retreat. On the 27th they were accepted, and ratified on the 28th. Our lines of circumvallation could not be defended against an assault, on account of their immense extent, and the weakness of several points. We had scarcely 150 rounds for each gun; the inhabitants of Cairo in our rear, who, no longer getting provision from the country, would certainly, in case of attack, have concerted their measures with the besiegers, Our lines being carried, the troops could not have retreated to the castle without much difficulty; every thing must have been left behind. Our resistance, the quantity of our provision considered, might have lasted between twenty and twenty-five days; but then there remained no pe of being admitted to negotiate, we must forcibly surrender at discretion, and comply with the enemy's orders. What capitulation could we have expected from two Turkish armies, masters of Egypt and Cairo ? Would the English have been able to keep them within bounds? However, we should have taken this course, if any means of communication with France, or any hopes of assistance had been left us. You must have been acquainted, for eight months past, with General Abercromby's expedition; you have done whatever lay in your power for the brave soldiers of Egypt, whom you regard as your children. You sent Gantheaume with 5000 men; if he could have arrived in time, our situation would have been quite different. He could not join us, and all your exertions have been of no avail. For these four months we have defended every inch of ground. Our situation is not unknown to you, and you have undoubtedly done every thing to better it, but nothing arrived. What could we expect? I shall bestow no encomiums either on the generals, chiefs, officers, or soldiers. These warriors, covered with wounds, put to the rout, under your orders, five Austrian armies in Italy, and conquered Egypt. They have been struggling these three years with the

want

want of all necessaries, with the plague, and the united exertions of Europe and Asia. You know every one of them; they have constantly shewed themselves worthy of their former commander. You will find annexed the plan of the military district of Cairo. Look at it, and let your attention be directed to the situation of the troops, and the stock of our ammunition and cash. Read also the statements of the Chief Engineer and Commandant of Artillery.

Greek Inscription discovered on Pompey's Pillar.

ΤΟ . . . . . ΩΤΑΤΟΝ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ

ΤΟΝ ΠΟΛΙΟΥΧΟΝ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΙΑΣ
ΔΙΟΚ . Η . ΙΑΝΟΝ ΤΟΝ . . . . ΤΟΝ

ΠΟ .
. . . . . ΕΠΑΡΧΟΣ ΑΙΓΥΠΤΟΥ

The Characters which could not be traced, have been supplied by the Rev. Mr. Hayter.

ΤΟΝ ΤΙΜΙΩΤΑΤΟΝ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ

ΤΟΝ ΠΟΛΙΟΥΧΟΝ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΙΑΣ

ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝΟΝ ΤΟΝ CEBACTOΝ
ΠΟΝΤΙΟΣ ΕΠΑΡΧΟΣ ΑΙΓΥΠΤΟΥ
“ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΕΙ”

TRANSLATION.

TO DIOCLETIANUS AUGUSTUS

MOST ADORABLE EMPEROR,

THE TUTELAR DEITY OF ALEXANDRIA,
PONTIUS, PREFECT OF EGYPT,
CONSECRATES THIS.

Inscrip

Inscription engraved on the Pedestal of one of Cleopatra's Needles, by Order of Major General the Earl of CAVAN.

IN THE YEAR OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA,

1798,

THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE

LANDED ON THE SHORES OF EGYPT AN ARMY OF 40,000 MEN,
COMMANDED BY THEIR MOST ABLE AND SUCCESSFUL GENERAL
BUONAPARTE.

THE CONDUCT OF THE GENERAL, AND THE VALOUR OF THE TROOPS,
EFFECTED THE ENTIRE SUBJECTION OF THAT COUNTRY;
BUT UNDER DIVINE PROVIDENCE IT WAS RESERVED FOR THE
BRITISH NATION

TO ANNIHILATE THEIR AMBITIOUS DESIGNS:

THEIR FLEET WAS ATTACKED, DEFEATED, AND DESTROYED
IN ABOUKIR BAY,

BY A BRITISH FLEET OF EQUAL FORCE,
COMMANDED BY ADMIRAL LORD NELSON;
THEIR INTENDED CONQUEST OF SYRIA
WAS COUNTERACTED AT ACRE

BY A MOST GALLANT RESISTANCE
UNDER COMMODORE SIR SYDNEY SMITH;

AND EGYPT WAS RESCUED FROM THEIR DOMINION
BY A BRITISH ARMY, INFERIOR IN NUMBERS, BUT
COMMANDED BY GENERAL SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY,
WHO LANDED AT ABOUKIR ON THE 8TH OF MARCH 1801,
DEFEATED THE FRENCH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,

PARTICULARLY IN A MOST DECISIVE ACTION NEAR ALEXANDRIA,
ON THE 21ST OF THAT MONTH,

WHEN THEY WERE DRIVEN FROM THE FIELD,

AND FORCED TO SHELTER THEMSELVES

IN THEIR GARRISONS OF CAIRO AND ALEXANDRIA,
WHICH PLACES SUBSEQUENTLY SURRENDERED
BY CAPITULATION.

TO RECORD TO FUTURE AGES THESE EVENTS;
AND TO COMMEMORATE THE LOSS SUSTAINED

BY THE DEATH OF

SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY,

WHO WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED

ON THAT MEMORABLE DAY,

IS THE DESIGN OF THIS INSCRIPTION,

WHICH WAS DEPOSITED HERE IN THE YEAR OF CHRIST 1802, BY THE BRITISH ARMY ON THEIR EVACUATING THIS COUNTRY, AND RESTORING IT TO THE TURKISH EMPIRE.

FINIS.