Before leaving the hospital, I feel bound in gratitude to acknowledge the care and attention that was paid to the sick and wounded: all things considered, every thing was done for them that could be done, and much expense was incurred for medicines, attendance, and accommodation, and every exertion made to procure suitable provisions. When I think upon it to this day, I feel grateful for the care that was taken of the helpless, and those who were rendered unfit to serve their country any longer: by this means many were preserved to their families and their friends, who otherwise would never have returned. On the 29th September, I embarked in a Germ on the Nile, which dropped down the river, and lay near the entrance, to be ready to pass the bar early in the morning, that being the most favourable time; for the wind rises at sun rise, and blows from the sea up the river during the day, with a steady, and sometimes strong breeze, and dies away in the evening. Vessels going up the Nile carry a press of sail, and go at a great rate during the day, and stop at night: vessels going down the river lower their sails and yards, lay their broadside to the stream, and drift along with it. On the morning of the 30th, the wind and surf were so high, that it was unsafe to attempt passing the bar; so that we returned to Rosetta and lay it the quay three days, waiting for moderate weather. The Nile was still considerably above its banks: the extensive fields of rice, and corn, particularly on the east side, excited my admiration. The seed had been sown previously to the inundation, and had taken root and grown up with the rise of the water; which made it to have a compact and level surface, resembling that of a bowling-green, for many miles. This crop would be ripe, by the time the inundation would fall within the banks of the river; and another crop of wheat or barley, and one of clover or vegetables, would be produced before the return of the inundation next year.--Water is raised by buffaloes and oxen from the river, into the canals;[18] the beds of which are above the level of the country. It is let out into the fields during the growth of the other two crops; and when the last one is reaped, this labour is suspended. Then the heat of the sun soon dries the ground, and rends it into numerous and deep fissures; some of them are from ten to twenty feet deep. The army experienced considerable difficulty from this cause, on its march back from Cairo; particularly at night, when both men and horses were in danger of having their legs broke by falling into them.