Taking the reins4 in my hand, while the music gave a general salute5, I cracked my whip, away they went, and in three hours I found myself just between the Isle6 of Wight and the main land of England. Here I remained four days, until I had received part of my accompaniment, which I was ordered to take under my convoy2. 'Twas a squadron of men-of-war that had been a long time prepared for the Baltic, but which were now destined7 for the Mediterranean8. By the assistance of large hooks and eyes, exactly such as are worn in our hats, but of a greater size, some hundredweight each, the men-of-war hooked themselves on to the wheels of the vehicle: and, in fact, nothing could be more simple or convenient, because they could be hooked or unhooked in an instant with the utmost facility. In short, having given a general discharge of their artillery9, and three cheers, I cracked my whip, away we went, helter skelter, and in six jiffies I found myself and all my retinue10 safe and in good spirits just at the rock of Gibraltar. Here I unhooked my squadron, and having taken an affectionate leave of the officers, I suffered them to proceed in their ordinary manner to the place of their destination. The whole garrison11 were highly delighted with the novelty of my vehicle; and at the pressing solicitations of the governor and officers I went ashore12, and took a view of that barren old rock, about which more powder has been fired away than would purchase twice as much fertile ground in any part of the world! Mounting my chariot, I took the reins, and again made forward, in mad career, down the Mediterranean to the isle of Candia. Here I received despatches from the Sublime13 Porte, entreating14 me to assist in the war against Russia, with a reward of the whole island of Candia for my alliance. At first I hesitated, thinking that the island of Candia would be a most valuable acquisition to the sovereign who at that time employed me, and that the most delicious wines, sugar, &c., in abundance would flourish on the island; yet, when I considered the trade of the East India Company, which would most probably suffer by the intercourse15 with Persia through the Mediterranean, I at once rejected the proposal, and had afterwards the thanks of the Honourable16 the House of Commons for my propriety17 and political discernment.
Having been properly refreshed at Candia, I again proceeded, and in a short time arrived in the land of Egypt. The land of this country, at least that part of it near the sea, is very low, so that I came upon it ere I was aware, and the Pillar of Pompey got entangled18 in the various wheels of the machine, and damaged the whole considerably19. Still I drove on through thick and thin, till, passing over that great obelisk20, the Needle of Cleopatra, the work got entangled again, and jolted21 at a miserable22 rate over the mud and swampy23 ground of all that country; yet my poor bulls trotted24 on with astonishing labour across the Isthmus
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