The mountains are of moderate elevation and perfectly bare; but still the eye rests with pleasure on the varied forms of the rocks.
[Illustration 8.

Isthmus of Suez.

ill8.jpg] After an hour's rest beside the well, we were still unable to procure water for our poor beasts, and hastened, therefore, to reach the town.

At nine in the morning we were already within its walls.
Of the town and its environs I can say nothing, excepting that they both present a very melancholy appearance, as there is nowhere a garden or a cluster of trees to be seen.
I paid my respects to the consul, and introduced myself to him as an Austrian subject.

He was kind enough to assign me a room in his own house, and would on no account permit me to take up my quarters in an inn.