The art of imposing on mankind has at all times been an important part of the art of governing; and it was not that portion of the science of government which Bonaparte was the least acquainted with.  He neglected no opportunity of showing off to the Egyptians the superiority of France in arts and sciences; but it happened, oftener than once, that the simple instinct of the Egyptians thwarted his endeavours in this way.  Some days after the visit of the pretended fortune-teller he wished, if I may so express myself, to oppose conjurer to conjurer.  For this purpose he invited the principal sheiks to be present at some chemical experiments performed by M. Berthollet.  The General expected to be much amused at their astonishment; but the miracles of the transformation of liquids, electrical commotions and galvanism, did not elicit from them any symptom of surprise.  They witnessed the operations of our able chemist with the most imperturbable indifference.  When they were ended, the sheik El Bekri desired the interpreter to tell M. Berthollet that it was all very fine; “but,” said he, “ask him whether he can make me be in Morocco and here at one and the same moment?” M. Berthollet replied in the negative, with a shrug of his shoulders.  “Oh! then,” said the sheik, “he is not half a sorcerer.”

Our music produced no greater effect upon them.  They listened with insensibility to all the airs that were played to them, with the exception of “Marlbrook.”  When that was played they became animated, and were all in motion, as if ready to dance.

An order which had been issued on our arrival in Cairo for watching the criers of the mosques had for some weeks been neglected.  At certain hours of the night these cries address prayers to the Prophet.  As it was merely a repetition of the same ceremony over and over again, in a short time no notice was taken of it.  The Turks, perceiving this negligence, substituted for their prayers and hymns cries of revolt, and by this sort of verbal telegraph, insurrectionary excitement was transmitted to the northern and southern extremities of Egypt.  By this means, and by the aid of secret emissaries, who eluded our feeble police, and circulated real or forged firmans of the Sultan disavowing the concord between France and the Porte, and provoking war, the plan of a revolution was organised throughout the country.

The signal for the execution of this plan was given from the minarets on the night of the 20th of October, and on the morning of the 21st it was announced at headquarters that the city of Cairo was in open insurrection.  The General-in-Chief was not, as has been stated, in the isle of Raeuddah:  he did not hear the firing of the alarm-guns.  He rose when the news arrived; it was then five o’clock.  He was informed that all the shops were closed, and that the French were attacked.  A moment after he heard of the death of General Dupuis, commandant of the garrison, who was killed by a lance in the street.  Bonaparte immediately mounted his horse, and, accompanied by only thirty guides, visited all the threatened points, restored confidence, and, with great presence of mind adopted measures of defence.