“This conduct on the part of the French,” says one of their own historians, “conquerors so generous in Egypt, no motive to vengeance could justify, but it became no less calamitous to them than it was to their victims. The plague, that terrible scourge of the East, began its ravages among the French soldiery the very day after the taking of Jaffa.” The frightful cry, “It is the plague!” spread itself amongst the soldiers, and struck terror into the hearts of the most courageous. On his return to Jaffa, on the 24th of May, Buonaparte repaired to the hospital, where there were many of the soldiers, some of them wounded, some afflicted with ophthalmia, uttering most pitiable cries. The painter has attempted to convey an idea of this scene, and represents Buonaparte as touching a patient under the blight of the plague. [Illustration: THE PLAGUE OF JAFFA.] “YOU ARE THE GREATEST OF MEN.” Buonaparte reached Alexandria on the evening of the 24th of July, 1799, where he found his army already posted in the neighborhood of Aboukir, and prepared to attack the Turks on the morrow. Surveying their entrenched camp from the heights above with Murat, he said, “Go how it may, the battle of tomorrow will decide the fate of the world.” “Of this army, at least,” answered Murat; “but the Turks have no cavalry, and, if ever infantry were charged by horse, they shall be so by mine.” On the 25th the attack was commenced by the French, and resisted for some time by the Turks with success. Murat, at length, was able to charge their main body in flank, when the troops became panic-stricken, and the battle was changed into a massacre; and numerous Turks, to escape the swords of the French, precipitated themselves into the sea, where they were nearly all drowned. This eventful day crowned the labors of Buonaparte in Egypt with glory and honor; and after the victory, Kleber, in a transport of admiration, pressed Napoleon in his arms, saying, “General! you are the greatest of men!” [Illustration: “YOU ARE THE GREATEST OF MEN”.] NAPOLEON INSCRIBING HIS NAME AT MOUNT SINAI. Napoleon, having crossed the Red Sea, at the ford, was met on the opposite shore, by a deputation of Cenobites from Mount Sinai. These monks threw themselves at his feet, imploring his protection; and after having invoked the blessings of heaven on his head, they presented for his signature the ancient register of their privileges. Napoleon smiled at their request; he took the pen, and no doubt flattered by an homage so extraordinary, signed his name already immortal beside those of Ali, of Saladin, and of Ibrahim. [Illustration: NAPOLEON INSCRIBING HIS NAME ON MOUNT SINAI.] NAPOLEON AT MALMAISON.