Born 1754.--Died 1825.
Born at Burgundy--Becomes a king’s page--Secretary to the
Neapolitan Embassy--His character and physiognomy--Studies the
art of design--Adopts the principles of the revolution--Embarks
with Napoleon for Egypt--Arrives at Alexandria--Impressions on
entering a new city--Rosetta--Pursued by the Arabs--Desaix--Visits
the Pyramids--Population of Cairo--Revolt against the
French--Danger of Denon--Massacre of four _savans_--Dissects the
mummy of Ibis--Serpent-charmers--Departs for Upper Egypt--Murad
Bey--Battle with the Mamelukes--Horrible anecdote--Anecdote of a
youthful robber--A shower of rain--Ruins of Oxyrinchus--Gloomy
opinions--Ruins of Hermopolis--Dangerous mode of travelling--Ruins
of Denderah--Anger of General Desaix--Anecdote of a French
officer--Comes in sight of the ruins of Thebes--The whole army
halt and clap their hands--Statues of Ossymandyas--Island
of Phile--Khamsyn wind--Journey to Cosseir--Returns to the
Nile--Sails for France--Is made superintendent of museums by
Napoleon--Directs the casting of the triumphal column in the Place
Vendôme--Dies 345