PREFACE.

HEN a military man hazards a publication, he should, if possible, avert the severity of criticism from his work; and the author hopes, that an appeal to the consideration and good nature of the learned will in this instance procure him their indulgence, since he does not presume to rank himself in their numbers, nor can the writings of a soldier affect the credit of literature.

As none of the Universities provide an official historiographer, which is much to be lamented, the details of a campaign can only be communicated to the public by persons attached

to an army.

Certainly the charge of vanity may be preferred against me, for appointing myself to a post of so much difficulty and danger; but my excuse rests on the apathy shewn by others, whose talents capacitated them more fully for the duty. Perhaps I may also be accused of having exceeded the limits of a military treatise, by entering into descriptions of places and similar digressions: yet I submit to the candour of every man, whether the omission would not have excited greater displeasure. Such a country as Egypt is too interesting to be passed over without observation, and the accounts hitherto published have not satiated curiosity. My plea then is a wish to afford as much amusement as possible, where it was necessary some notice should be taken; and I adopted the style of history, imagining that a narrative

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narrative would be more entertaining than a journal, since the events of each day do not excite an equal interest.*

With respect to my cursory examination into the diseases which afflicted the army, the medical department will, I feel confident, excuse such an interference, when the motive is considered which induced me to give an outline of maladies, distinguishing Egypt to the world as an almost uninhabitable country. The physical profession is much too liberal to feel irritated, where the object is public service, and they will rather encourage any attempt which may tend to promote the end desired.

As an apology for all inaccuracies of composition, it must be mentioned, that I did not submit my work to the correction of professed scholars, having heard formerly that Lord Lyttelton had sixty pages of errata returned to him, and therefore being afraid that my whole writings would be blotted out.

A younger brother, and Mr. Roworth my printer, whose talents and information have indeed rendered me very considerable assistance, are the only persons who have seen the manuscript, or made any alterations in the proofs.

Under the apprehensions of having the offspring of my brain, which Montaigne says is as dear as the child of one's bosom, perish prematurely, I preferred ushering the cherished object into the world, uncultivated as it may be, depending on a kind reception for the virtues it represents for imitation, rather than

* In the margin of the proof sheet I insert this note, having heard only of Lieutenant Walsh's final intention to publish a Journal of the Campaign in Egypt, since my work went to press. Mr. Walsh's notes I never saw; but have been shewn partially the drawings; and therefore venture to say, that public expectation cannot form too high an opinion of the ingenious plans and elegant designs which Mr. Walsh himself executed, and which he proposes to insert,

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on any inherent qualities, which the fondness of many parents might imagine to exist, and presume on.

As to the contents, I solemnly declare to the British nation, that I have endeavoured to relate a faithful narrative of a campaign, which, combined with the naval victories, and their own magnanimity, have elevated the glory of our country to the proudest altitude. Nor should England pride herself alone on the military services of the Egyptian army; throughout the war her troops have fought with equal gallantry: but she may also boast that the moral conduct of that army has exalted her fame on a foundation more durable than victory, erecting her monuments of honour upon the gratitude and admiration of mankind.

It was impossible to travel through a country (unattended by any escort,* as was frequently the case, experiencing the kindest attentions of friendship from every individual of a people hos tile by religion, prejudice, and former ill usage to Europeans) without reflecting with considerable gratification on the causes which produced these acts of hospitality in favour of Englishmen. There was a vanity justly indulged in reflecting, that a Frenchman could never venture to pass through the same districts, even when the French army ruled with uncontested do minion, unless guarded by a force sufficient to command his security.

In the Deserts of Lybia, and throughout Egypt, a British

*No intreaties could induce a Mameluke or a Turk to exceed a walk in travelling, therefore officers who carried dispatches, preferred going alone, as by great exertion they could then force their horses about seven miles an hour; but in crossing the Delta I had a very fine horse, given me by the Vizier, die, after a journey of twenty miles, although he had been three hours passing that distance. The Egyptian horses, however, are capable of great fatigue, and with a walk of about five miles an hour, would on a long journey beat perhaps any horses in the world; beyond that pace they are absolutely good for nothing.

uniform was equally respected with the turban of Mahometanism, and the word of an Englishman esteemed sacred as the Koran.

To the Egyptian Army I must plead my zeal to render justice to their merits, as an apology for naming myself their historian; and I hope that they will kindly judge of any errors which may appear, remembering what difficulties oppose them. selves to the collection of complete information; and I trust that the Navy will treat any inaccuracy relating to themselves with the same consideration.

Although no great naval actions immediately connected with the expedition were to be recorded,* still the navy is intitled to the highest applause, and one universal sentiment of estimation pervaded the army, at the zeal, perseverance, and vigilance, which, without exception, they displayed; for theirs, as General Hutchinson states, was not the labour of a day, or of a week, but for months together.

Those naval officers who served with the troops on shore had more opportunity to render themselves conspicuous; and they well maintained the reputation of their service.

But throughout I have anxiously endeavoured to avoid indiscriminate praise; as in the first place there would be a considerable degree of presumption in me to assume the too fascinating power of distributing the laurel crowns; and secondly, an aversion to those frequent honourable mentions which originated in a perusal of the Gazettes, published during the Irish Rebellion, has not since been removed. Yet where Fortune presented marked opportunities to the gallantry of individuals and corps, it became my duty to particularize the dis

* Captain Barlow's capture of L'Africaine, although a ship destined for Egypt, and Lord Cochrane's gallant action, as they did not happen on the coast of Egypt, were not within the confines of my history.

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tinguishing traits; and if I have omitted to mention any whose services entitled them to be noticed, I beg them to accept this assurance, that the omission proceeded from ignorance of the circumstances, or failure of memory, and that the earliest opportunity shall be courted to acknowledge and rectify every error.*

To the army collectively, I have ventured to submit my work, as one recording events, which in themselves must animate with pride and emulation. If any instruction should be derived from the remarks, my own gratification would of course be considerable.

To those who may imagine that my representations of General Buonaparte's conduct in the several instances referred to are imprudent, and improper at this moment to be brought forwards, I must premise, that if they are concerned only for the character of that general, I am happy to afford them an occasion to be better acquainted with this celebrated man, who, by his great fortune and uninterrupted career of victory (with one exception of Acre, that glorious monument of British conduct), has dazzled the understandings of the mass of mankind, and prevented the results of those enquiries having proper influence, which those, with whom the opinions of the day do not pass current, have instituted on his pretensions to the admiration of posterity.

To those whose motives of disapprobation proceed from a regard for tranquillity, exciting the wish that a general amnesty of oblivion might be extended to the past, first I will say, that

It is with pleasure I have it in my power to do justice to that most gallant officer General Doyle, for in page 182 I have said, that "General Doyle, who although very ill at Rosetta when notice of this movement was sent to him, mounted his horse, &c." instead of which I should have stated, that "General Doyle, although very ill at Rosetta, upon a mere rumour of the intended movement, mounted his horse, &c."

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