Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/14

ii. see with his own eyes. The notes which are here written out were all taken on the spot, often in the most difficult circumstances — in the tent at the close of day, when wearied with a long march; or at noon, resting under a cliff, in "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land"; on the shore of the sea, or on the tops of mountains. Sometimes, as he passed over a point of view which commanded a wide sweep of the horizon, he could only rein in his camel, and sketch the scene from the saddle. Pictures thus taken, if they have no other merit, may have that of a literal fidelity, and imperfect as they are, may perhaps impart a little of the glow of enthusiasm which the scenes themselves enkindled in him who attempts to describe them, and thus lead some to follow in his steps; while to others he would hope that these lighter sketches may serve as an introduction to those great works, which are not only of absorbing interest, but rich in learning and instruction.

Once only in the following pages is the simple narrative — the detail of incidents of tent-life, of the camp and the march, or the description of scenes on the mountain and the desert — interrupted to introduce a defence of the Hebrew Law. This may be thought quite unnecessary. But it has become such a fashion of the day to question, not only the inspiration of Moses, but his wisdom as a Lawgiver, and even his humanity, that one who was loyal to that great name could hardly refrain from some reflections which naturally arose under the cliffs of Sinai.