The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1859-05-26
EXTRACTS FROM A JOURNAL.
COMPILED BY GUsrAvUs.


This river is not only remarkable for. its catas
racts, but also for its annual beneficial overflow
This annual inundation has been for centuries
the source Of Egypt's fertility, although the
cause Of such overflow has not been a.
certained. think il is no doubt that which
produces the same effect on all the rivers in the
northern part of the hot zone. The rainy sea
son. in oil countries that are situated between
the first and twentieth degree Of latitude,
commences generally in April, and lasts, with
long intervals, until October or November All
rivera at this time begin to rise. and soon over
howS their banks. From November to April is
commonly clear. hot weather in which the riv-
ers fall, and, in some instanccs entirely dry up
In the hot countries Of southern latitude, the
same changeis observed In the season, only pice
cersu the latter have dry season, when the
former have at the same time their rainy season.
In, Esypt,wheneyer tlse rainy season sets In, it's
effects are observed in the river Nile ceasing to
fall. 1t tnow remains stationary for some time
md its waters become foul. Il now rises by
degrees, generally in April and con.
tinues to rise through the whole of May and, till
the middle Of June. On the 10Th of June every
body becomes attentive, regarding the height Of
the .waner, the daily report Of which is publicly
announced. A sheik has to inspect the column
on which the height of the water is measured.
(Makkeis or liakkias.) He daily goes there by
himself for the purpose Of marking the height Of
tas Nile. A public crier then brings the news
to Kahira. (Cairo,) frst to the palace o. the
Pascha, under the windows Of which he ar
nounces IL; nay, he has even the privilege TO en-
ter the divan and make It known there after
which 1t Is published in the principal streets Of
the city. From this time the rise Of the river Is
the object OF daily conversation. and all are re.
joieea at qnick rise. as in such case the future
promises prospect Of fertility, and consequently
abundance; but when, on the contrary, the riv-
er should unfortunately rise very little, or not at
ali, OF sven fall, all are lamenting and sorrowful
During scns days it frequently only rises few
inches, at other times again two or three drs.
Egyptian yards) On such occasions IL is that
specuiations In corn are at the highest, through
which the people have to suffer to an incredible
sxssst, aad which Abe gnverament only can put
stop to, by falsely announcing rise In the Nile
This pablic announcement continues until the
river has reached tho height Of twenty -four dra.
Whenever IL has risen 20 the height Of sixteen
~" fsssce Soscfh'itehs u-positS ~ OOcumcnt set
ting forth the particulars, Ia the archives, and
oil tenants have to pay the third part Of their
rents in advance. whereas the river not rcaeh-
ing this height, they have nothing whatever TO
pay, Joy and giadness now reign ihroughout
the Whole country congratulations are ex-
cbanged--banqucts are held, and for some time
festivities and pleasures Of all kinds archie order
OF the day, The height to which the river rises,
and the time the water remains stationary upon
the inundated land. Is variable. Tweaty.two to
twenty three dra yield the richest crops; eigh-
teen dra, only moderate; sixteen drs, bad, and
twenty four also bad, because the water has ro-
mained standing too long upon the Helds.5 In
Upper Egypt the Nile rises the highest. on ac-
couas Of the proximity Of ti,s mountains and
the situation Of the land, whereas 10 Lower
Egypt y has . vast plain on which to extend.
and which, ovevhowed, presents miniature ap-
pearanso Of the ocean. AZ the mouth Of the
Nile ti@ Hster rises so littlc that ditchcs and en-,
mails are insufficient 10 the SOIL and water wheels
and engines arc used to make IL productive. To