Nor were their objects merely those of curiosity.
They, under the General's direction, examined into the long-smothered traces of many an ancient device for improving the agriculture of the country.

Canals that had been shut up for centuries were re-opened: the waters of the Nile flowed once more where they had been guided by the skill of the Pharaohs or the Ptolemies.

Cultivation was extended; property secured; and it cannot be doubted that the signal improvements since introduced in Egypt, are attributable mainly to the wise example of the French administration.

At Cairo itself there occurred one stormy insurrection, provoked, as may be supposed, by some wantonness on the part of the garrison; but, after this was quelled by the same merciless vigour which Napoleon had displayed on similar occasions in Italy, the country appears to have remained in more quiet, and probably enjoyed, in spite of the presence of an invading army, more prosperity, than it had ever done during any period of the same length, since the Saracen government was overthrown by the Ottomans.
In such labours Napoleon passed the autumn of 1798.

"At this period," writes his secretary, "it was his custom to retire early to bed, and it was my business to read to him as long as he remained awake.