The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Four Months in a Dahabeel ; or Narrative of a
TVinter's Cruise on the Nile. By M. L. M.

Carey. Booth.
We have before us a goodly volume of handsome
appearance, illustrated with some half-a-dozen
beautiful sketches, recording a four months' cruise
in a Dahabeeh (or river boat) upon the Nile. The
travelling party consisted of five Europeans—tha
fair author of the narrative, " Cousin Phil" and his
daughter Selina, to whom conjointly the work is
dedicated, and Thomas and Sarah, the man-servant
and lady's maid—objects of unmitigated astonish-
ment to the native dragoman, who, when he found
they were each to have a cabin on board the Daha-
beeh, regarded them as " very great personages
indeed." This dragoman, Mahommed el Adleek,
with El Abiad and Ali, two of his companions, are
depicted in the frontispiece, seated on the deck of
" the Cairo," as the Dahabeeh is named. Very pic-
turesque do they appear in their oriental costume,
as displayed in the coloured engraving. There is
also a picture of the crew of " the Cairo" at breaf-
fast on the bank, and views of Boulak, the port of
Cairo, the island of Philaa, and other scenes, very
charmingly drawn, we r resume, by the hands of
the authoress and Selina." The narrative is for
the most part in the form of a journal, and possesses
some of the advantages and also some of the dis-
advantages of that style of composition. It is
easily and pleasantly written, and we realise the
scenes and take part in the adventures detailed to
us; but, at the same time, a great deal of very
trivial and unnecessary matter is occasionally in-
troduced, and the style at times becomes too collo-
quial and undignified. With the exception of these
blemishes the journal proves very pleasant to reed,
and introduces into very unaccustomed scenes. There
is an amusing account of a visit paid by the ladies
to the house of Sheik Abool Gowad, at Girgeh.
Under the auspices of the invaluable Mohammed
they are introduced to the Sheik and his mother.
Selina wore dark gloves and gauntlets, and her
" black hands," compared with her " white face,"
caused a great deal of whispering and specu-
lation among the hosts, and she was finally
requested by Mohammed to pull off her gloves,
and to show that hands and face were suitably
alike. The gloves they had never seen before.
The visit to the Bazaar is very interesting, end the
account of the Eastern mode of embroidery is
given in detail, and will be attractive to lady
readers. The cover of the hook displays some
splendid specimens of the mosquito that
plague of the East, and very pitiful ara
the writer's complaints of the misfortune which
occasionally befalls the unwary, who, shutting close
the musquito curtains at night, sometimes shut in
the musquitoes, with very direful results. The
"Cruise in the Dahsheeh" will :on acquaintance
prove, we doubt not, as entertaining to its readers
as it has done to the fair journalist and her com-
panions.

Adventures and Researches Among the Andaman
Islanders. By Dr. Mouat. Hurst and Biackett.
The Andaman Islands, situated in the Bay of
Bengal, are little known even by name in this
country, and their inhabitants hold about the very
lowest rank among the diversified races of the
human family. Nevertheless, Dr, Mcuat's book on
this unpromising theme is full of interest, and we
doubt not that many who open its pages will, like
ourselves, be surprised to find its contents so gene-
rally attractive. In the course of the year 1851.
immediately after the Indian mutiny, Dr. Mount,
then in Cslcutta, was summoned to join an expedi-
tion to the Andaman Islands, in order to examine
" how far they were adapted for the establishment
of a convict station, and to select a suitable site for
such a settlement"—his colleagues being Dr.
George Playfair, of the Royal Army, and
Lieutenant J. A. Heatheote, of the Indian Navy.
" My last evening in Calcutta," writes Dr. Mouat,
" was spent in the society of the Governor-General
and his kind-hearted and accomplished lady. Alas !
it is only a few years s;nce, and they are now both
no more ! To my certain knowleage they are both
mourned throughout our Eastern Empire with a
depth and intensity of sorrow, with feelings of such
deep personal regret as are seldom felt for those
who have occupied a station so exalted." We must
transcribe the following beautiful and evidently
heartfelt tribute to Lady Canning :
"I can scarcely trust myself to speak of the lamented
Countess Canning. Her popularity in India was, as it
deserved to be, unbounded. Every one who has ever had
an opportunity of coming in any way in contact with her
can only have words of praise to bestow in speaking of her
personal character. All were immediately attracted by the
matchless grace and elegance of her manner, and the kind-
ness beaming in her eye at once won the homage of every
heart. Not only did she possess the lighter accomplish-
ments that enhance the beauty and dignity of the female
character, but she hal evidently applied herself with no
little zeal and diligence to severer studies, and had amassed
much of that useful knowledge which strengthens and
elevates the mind. Every one who was admitted into her
presence she received with the most refined courtesy; and
none could converse with her long without perceiving
that all the other excellencies of her mind and heart
were enhanced by that Christian grace which is the
crowning beauty of an elevated female character. The
virtues she manifested in her intercourse with st? Tie y
in
were evidently not assumed, as mere means of attrac
the circle in which she moved; but were the natural
out-
growth of her character, the root of all that
was beautiful
in her life and intercourse beinger will the
memory of her inexpressible sweetnessofwithin. xev
disposition fade
misfortune she endea-
voured to alleviate, and the smile
from the memory of those whose
with which she showed
her sympathy in the happiness of the more fortunate is im-
pressedr hearts. No doubt, like all
indelibly on their
human creatures,
she had her weaknesses, but she knew
how to conceal, :to overcome, or extirpate them. Never
did her innate kindness more delight in alleviating the
sorrows of the unfortunate than during that fearful mutiny
which overwhelmed so many once happy and prosperous
families with unexpected calamities. The sympathies of
her noble nature were a source of joy and comfort to all
during that period of trial and probation, and in many a
grateful heart is the recollecfion of her unwearied goodness
cherished with a devotion equal to that with which the
constant ll the
pious Catholic regards the patron saint whom he believes
to
sogrurOwrdthraonudg
hgsvulaidiech heain midustSt
a pass on
temptation,behs
i
sin,
and
his way to a better and higher life."
At the close of the volume, Dr. Monet again re-
turns to Government House,
,bringing with him an
object Vf universal cur' iosity—a real live Andaman
—who, dressed in unaccustomed clothes, is pre-
sented to Lord and Lady Canning. Most of the
time Jack spent in their presence, he was
greatly absorbed in self-admiration. Ob-
serving his figure at full length in the
large pier-glasses with which the apartment
was adorned, he stationed himself before one and,
regarding his own image with undisguised satis-
faction, he continued grinning at himself With

THE BOMBAY MAIL.

The following telegram has been received at
Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Orien-
tal Steam Navigation Company :
ALEXANDRIA, June 11.

The Euxine, with the above mails, left here at
noon this day. She may be expected at Marseilles
on the 17th inst.
The Delta sailed for Southampton at 6 a.m.
yesterday. She may be expected there on the
23d inst.
The Malta brought the mail to Suez, arriving
there on the Bth.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
NEWTON RACES.-THIS DAY.

MANOR PLATE.

Mountain Buck
2
Devotee

Eight ran.