contrary, to respect it.  In the state to which it was reduced, that sovereignty was not to be dreaded, and he could treat with the Porte, either for the cession of Egypt, by granting certain advantages elsewhere, or for a partition of authority, in which there would be nothing detrimental; for the French, in leaving the pasha at Cairo, and transferring to themselves the power of the Mamluks, would not occasion much regret.  As for the inhabitants, in order to make sure of their attachment, it would be requisite to win over the Arab population.  By respecting the sheikhs, by flattering their old pride, by increasing their power, by encouraging their secret desire for the re-establishment of their ancient glories, Bonaparte reckoned upon ruling the land, and attaching it entirely to him.  By afterwards sparing persons and property, among a people accustomed to consider conquest as conferring a right to murder, pillage, and devastate, he would create a sentiment that would be most advantageous to the French army.  If, furthermore, the French were to respect women and the Prophet, the conquest of hearts would be as firmly secured as that of the soil.

Napoleon conducted himself agreeably to these conclusions, which were equally just and profound.  He immediately made his plans for establishing the French authority at Alexandria, and for quitting the Delta and gaining possession of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.  It was the month of July; the Nile was about to inundate the country.  He was anxious to reach Cairo before the inundation, and to employ the time during which it should last in establishing himself there.  He ordered everything at Alexandria to be left in the same state as formerly; that the religious exercises should be continued; and that justice should be administered as before by the cadis.  His intention was merely to possess himself of the rights of the Mamluks, and to appoint a commissioner to levy the accustomed imposts.  He caused a divan, or municipal council, composed of the sheikhs and principal persons of Alexandria, to be formed, in order to consult them on all the measures which the French authority would have to take.  He left three thousand men in garrison in Alexandria, and gave the command of it to Kleber, whose wound was liable to keep him in a state of inactivity for a month or two.  He directed a young Frenchman of extraordinary merit, and who gave promise of becoming a great engineer, to put Alexandria in a state of defence, and to construct there all the necessary works.  This was Colonel Cretin, who, in a short time, and at a small expense, executed superb works at Alexandria.  Bonaparte then ordered the fleet to be put in a place of security.  It was a question whether the large ships could enter the port of Alexandria.  A commission of naval officers was appointed to sound the harbour and make a report.  Meanwhile, the fleet was anchored in the road of Abukir, and Bonaparte ordered Brueys to see to it that this question should be speedily decided, and to proceed to Corfu if it should be ascertained that the ships could not enter the harbour of Alexandria.