JOINS A GOVERNMENT EXPEDITION. 115

dunce their effect, must be seen at a distance. His
conversation was equally agreeable and interesting,
and he blended with it an unaffected galety and
a good-humoured manner which put every one at
his ease. ‘T'o these social qualities he joined a
finely formed person. Like Plato, he was of the
tallest stature and most robust make. His broad
shoulders announced his strength; his forehead
was high and majestic; and he distinguished him-
self by the grace of his demeanour and the dignity
of his gestures.”

At the end of these happy six months, Sonnini
icarned that the Government was sending an
expedition to Africa under Baron de Tott, and
applied for permission to accompany it, which was
accorded,

Dis French biographer has observed, with jus-
tice, that Sonnini has “ painted himself in his
writings.” The reader shall have a glimpse of him
during his voyage to Alexandria, in which he re-
lates a pleasing incident with the poetry of feel-
ing:—“ The day after our departure from Malta
two small birds, one a little grey fauvette, the
other a little bergeronnette, came and settled upon
the rigging ; but being unable to support the
fatigue of so long a flight, they suffered themselves
to be taken by hand. As their diminutive bodies

would have afforded but a scanty dish, I had no
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