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life, darts a ray of light through the thickest gloom, and encouraged by it, they began their operations. On the second attempt, when passing before a small aperture, Belzoni fancied he heard something like the roaring of the sea at a distance.. In consequence they entered this opening, and as they advanced the noise increased, till they could distinctly hear a number of voices all at one time.

BERNARD.-What joy this must have given them! as much joy as it as it gave Owen to hear papa's voice in the wood, when he was lost whilst we were gathering nuts last summer-perhaps more; for I am sure I would rather be lost in a nice green wood than in an Egyptian mummy cave! Go on, dear

mamma.

MRS. A.-At last they walked out, and to their no small surprise the first person who presented himself was the interpreter. How he came to be there seemed astonishing. He told them, that in proceeding with the Arab along the passage below, they came to a pit which they did not see, and that the Arab fell into it, and in falling put out both candles. It was then that he cried out, "Mon Dieu! je suis perdu,” as he thought he also should have fallen into the pit; but, on raising his head, he saw at a great distance a glimpse of daylight, towards which he advanced, and thus arrived

at a small aperture. He then scraped away some loose sand and stones, to widen the place where he came out, and went to give the alarm to the Arabs, who were at the other entrance. Being all concerned for the man who fell to the bottom of the pit, it was their noise Belzoni had heard in the cave. The place by which the interpreter had escaped was instantly widened, and in the confusion the Arabs did not regard letting Belzoni see that they were acquainted with that entrance, and that it had lately been shut up. He was not long in detecting their scheme. They had intended to show him the sarcophagus without letting him see the way by which it might be taken out, and then to stipulate a price for the secret; as it was in reality but one hundred yards from the great

entrance.

EMILY.-So with this view they had taken him that round-about way! Well, they paid dear for their intended deception! But the man in the pit, mamma,-what became of him?

MRS. A.-He was taken out of the well, but so much hurt as to be lame ever after. Thus the Arabs defeated their own purpose, and proved that self-interest indeed is blind. When men stoop to the meanness of equivocation or deceit, especially in hopes of promoting their own good, they are

artful but not wise; for as we can only judge of the circumstances of the present moment, and cannot foresee consequences, it is very likely, as it proved with the Arabs, that our cunning will bring us into still greater difficulties. It is also certain to deprive us of confidence in the protecting care of Providence, which, as I have often told you, is the greatest support and comfort in every trouble. BERNARD. I am glad Belzoni escaped, mamma ! I would never have trusted myself with those deceitful Arabs again!

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MRS. A.-Well, Bernard, do you regret Laura's having taken a sketch in Egypt instead of having drawn the spokes of the wheels of your little cart?

BERNARD.-Oh, no, mamma-never mind the spokes! I like your account very much. But where is Caphany all this time, with his palm-leaf ropes ?

MRS. A.-Two guards were attending him by night and by day. Belzoni at length sent to Cairo for a boat; but as he knew it could not arrive for some time, he formed an enclosure of earth all round the bust, and spent the mean time in visiting various antiquities.

EMILY.-Then his courage was not daunted by that alarm, mamma! Many people would not

have ventured into mummy caves, at all events, again. How could he preserve his mind from fear?

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MRS. A.-By not indulging it.

OWEN.-Right, right! I like Belzoni, because he possessed real courage-did he not, mamma ?— real fortitude! although he was a little terrified when alone with the Arab in that dismal place, yet he did not let that fear prevent his undertaking other projects. When I am a man, mother, I mean to be a traveller, and to possess as much per

severance as our Belzoni!

MRS. A.-Experience will teach you, my love, that it is not a very easy thing for one unaccustomed to an arduous life, to pass on a sudden from the midst of comfort and indulgence to one that is so irregular.

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Belzoni determined to go up the Nile into Nubia, and to leave the bust where it was during his absence. He sent James to Cairo, and discharged the carpenter, so that a small party only remained, and they set off for Esne.

EMILY.-Here is Esne, only a few miles from Thebes, I suppose: not a very great way, mamma.

MRS. A.-There they landed just in time to see Khalil Bey, with whom they had become acquainted some time before in Soubra.

BERNARD.-Who was Khalil Bey? we have not heard his name before.

MRS. A.-He was appointed to the government of the Upper Provinces from Esne to Assouan. BERNARD. He received Belzoni very politely, I suppose?

MRS. A.-Yes: he was just returned from an excursion into the country, and was much pleased to see him. Our traveller found him with his pipe and coffee, seated on a sofa made of earth, and covered with a fine carpet and satin cushions, surrounded by a great number of his chiefs, Cacheff's and Santons. Khalil Bey was an Albanian, but his mode of life was similar to that of the Egyptians in general.

BERNARD.-Will you tell us what that is,

mamma?

MRS. A.-The Egyptian rises with the sun to enjoy the morning air: his favourite pipe and beverage are brought him, and he reclines at ease. on his sofa. Slaves, with their arms crossed, remain silent at the far end of the chamber, with their eyes fixed on him, seeking to anticipate his smallest wants. His children, standing in his presence, unless he permits them to be seated, preserve every appearance of tenderness and respect he gravely caresses them, gives them his blessing,

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