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.
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