Page 24 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

I.] t6r TO SUEZ. 7

by history ? Eastward, beyond the 1Elanatic
Gulf, is the country of the Nabathei and
Sideri; to the north is Esian geber and
Elana, and Hor, and Petra, and Mount Seir
and Szoar, even to the shores of the sea of

Sodom; and in the small desert peninsula of
Sinai, which I was now about to traverse,
how many are the spots where fancy loves to
linger! Have we not the dwelling-place of
the Maranitae,Dizahab, and Phaenicon, Raphi-
dim and Horeb, and Pharan, with the black
mountains looking towards Idumea? The sea
also, in those parts, is crowded with islands,
each of which has its ancient legend. On one
little rock, the name of Zeus confers a degree
of glory. Close at hand is the island of the
Phocae, or seals; where, if we might transfer

a poetical tradition, we may suppose Mene-
laus to have lain in wait for Proteus. At no
great distance, is the island of Saspereus,
which served as a beacon to the merchant
ships making towards Arsinoe, in the Hie-
ropolitan Gulf; and yonder, on the western
shore, is Myos Hormus, or the Harbour of the
Mouse, celebrated in the Periplus, and the
History of Roman Commerce. Along that

d