Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-05-14
MEMORANDA OF A TOUR IN
TIE FAST.


Alerandria-Castle Of the Pharos-IViM
Dogs Clcopatra's Needlcss-OJclisks.
-7Heu oJect-Pompcy's PHlor-Hs
History, Dimensions, S'c.-First Iiem
of the Lybian Desert
Modern Alexandria does not occupy the
site of the ancient city. 1t is situated on the
narrow tongue Of land forming part of the
causeway, which connected the Island of
Pharos with the main land. The ancient
city lay along the shore. This strip of land
pro ects some distance out upon the sea, near
ly al right angles with the main land, and
makes double harbor. The eastern har-
Dor, notwithstanding its bad anchorage, was,
until within few years, the only one Frank
vessels we're permitted to cntcr.-Thc west
ern was reserved exclusively for the vessels
Of the Faithful. This invidious distinction
is removed, and the Crescent and the Cross
now wave in peaceful rivalry over the same
waters. The extremity of this piece ofland
branches out into two arms, extending over
oo''' ooiS' pun oiC - puill d lOltiiItu-
ton, and upon the other stands lighthouse.
This building is erected upon, or near the
site of the ancient Pharos and the cause
way which connects it with the strip of land
on which the city stands, is the original
construction raised by the ancicnts to Join
Pharos to the main land.
The light house, built upon this island by
Ptolcmy Softer, was one of the most magui-
fccnt works of antiquity. 1t was of white
marble, and SO lofty, as to be visible hun
dred miles at sea. 1t is succeeded by a for
trcss, surmounted by tower, terminating
in lanthorn. The fortress was, until re-
Gently, jealousy closed against the curiosity
Of Franks. We crossed the long causeway
which leads to it, without any previous per-
mission. Passing the drawbridgc, we arriy-
ed at the gate. 1t was open, and we enter
cd without meeting a soldier. After consi-
derab!c knocking and hallooing, we aroused
dog and Nubian slave, who seemed to
constitute all the garrison. The Nuban
gave us to undcrtand that he was keeper of
the light; and, pointing to the vacant bar
racks with triumphant chucklc, minated
that he was commandant of the fortress also.
The castle is large, quadrangular building,
with more solid walls than usually belong to
IA Turkish fortress. 1t is cncircled BY a
water battery, which is so low, that the Guns
cannot be used in very rough weather. On
the spacious square within the fort, were
large piles of cannon balls, and numerous
pieces of artillery and mortars, for the firing
Of bombs. A tower, shaped like mnarct
rises from the castle, and serves by night a,
lighthouse, and by day as landmark to
the mariner stcrng for the fiat shores o.
Egypt.-The castle entirely covers the islet
so that we could not discern any traces of the
ancient Pharos, unless the broken column,
and blocks of stone lying along the causcwa
be fragments of that stupendous edilice
Rewardrg the Nubian for his services as CT
ccrone, we retractcd our way back over til,
causeway, which is bordered on both side
by a high wall, and washed by the sea.
Crossing the sand hills, on our way t.
Cleopara's Needles, we found ourselves il
the midst of troop of savage dogs, Gghtinl
for the carcase of camel. Our sudden APP
partition interrupted. their civil broils, anc
they directed their attacks against US, whom
they seemed to regard as common enemy
We were assailed at once by score Of these
half amished brutes. They seemed to b.
more eager to taste our flesh, than to drive
us from their prey. One fellow, who was
cross between jcckal and wolf, gave u
a good deal of trouble, heading the attack
and pushing his onset so far, as to divest one
of us of a part of his neither garments. We
kept our ground for few minutes, defend
ing ourselves in the best manner possible
until our foes, increasing in numbers and ic-
rocity, obliged us to retreat. We withdrew
slowly, with faces turned upon the enemy
until we had crossed over into neighboring