But Fear Does Not Necessarily Damp The Spirits; On The Contrary, It Will Often Operate As An Excitement, Giving Rise To Unusual Animation, And Thus It Affected Me.

If I had not been surrounded at this time by new faces, new scenes, and new sounds, the effect produced upon my mind by one unceasing cause of alarm might have been very different.

As it was, the eagerness with which I pursued my rambles among the wonders of Egypt was sharpened and increased by the sting of the fear of death. Thus my account of the matter plainly conveys an impression that I remained at Cairo without losing my cheerfulness and buoyancy of spirits. And this is the truth, but it is also true, as I have freely confessed, that my sense of danger during the whole period was lively and continuous.

{31} Anglice for "je le sais." These answers of mine, as given above, are not meant as specimens of mere French, but of that fine, terse, nervous, Continental English with which I and my compatriots make our way through Europe. This language, by-the-bye, is one possessing great force and energy, and is not without its literature, a literature of the very highest order. Where will you find more sturdy specimens of downright, honest, and noble English than in the Duke of Wellington's "French" despatches?

{32} The import of the word "compromised," when used in reference to contagion, is explained on page 18.

{33} It is said, that when a Mussulman finds himself attacked by the plague he goes and takes a bath.

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