The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-05 00:00:00

THE PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS OF
WALES IN EGYPT.

The London papers are full of the tour of the Prince
and the Princess of Wales. During the end of ?tfarch
they spent the most of their time at Cairo. Here (says a
correspondent) they have seen all the sights of this strange
city—the narrow bazaars, the huge mosques, the picturesque
suburbs, and pleasant gardens ; the mingling of pomp and
poverty ; the contrasted splendour and squalor which
form the outer and visible portion of Oriental life.
With one exception there has been no public display
in their honour. Their Royal Highnesses have neither
shunned nor sought publicity. But for the few outriders
who generally precede their carriages there would be
nothing to tell the people of the presence of strangers of
such illustrious rank. The Cairenes are not a curious race,
and I question whether, apart from external show and
ceremonial, they can realise the existence of a great
Prince, destined to rule over a powerful empire. The
palace assigned by the Viceroy to the use of
his royal guests is a large yellow building of
no architectural pretensions, standing to the east
of the Ezbekieh, in the most public quarter of Cairo,
at the very entrance of the long, dimly-lighted, crowded
street in which the Trench merchants carry on their
business. Yet there are seldom more than a dozen loiterers
about the gates, and now and then, as the blaze of trumpets
announces that the Prince is about to enter his carriage, this
small group is augmented by a few passers-by, who move
slowly away, marvelling much that the plainly-dressed
gentleman who has been pointed out to them is the future
King of the English. The Prince of Wales might

remain here long, mixing in the society and enjoying
freely the amusements of the place, without finding it
necessary to adopt any further incognito than private
dress.

THE FEAST OF BAIRA3f.
Nothing now remained further to be done in Egypt but
to visit the Suez Canal. But the Viceroy begged the
Prince to stay to the Feast of Bairam. The Prince con-
sented, and rearranged his tour. The Feast of Bairam, or
this particular one (Kouban) fell on March 23. " Bairam"
was announced to Cairo by the thunder of the guns from
the citadel early in the morning. From sunrise the
Khedive was ready in the old palace beside the Mosque
of Hassan to receive the greetings of his Ministers and
dependents. Never before had lie or any of his prede-
cessors had such an honour as that which was about to be
conferred upon him by the appearance of the Heir to the
Throne of a great European Power at a levtie. Never,
perhaps, was Ismail Pasha so proud and gratified as when
he stood out on the steps of his palace in front of all
his officers of State and with the eyes of the consular
agents of all Europe upon him to welcome the Prince of
Wales and lead him through a really "glittering throng" to
the seat of honour prepared within. The procession from
the new palace to the citadel was very imposing. There
was a considerable crowd outside the palace railings as
the Prince's carriage, preceded by outriders in scarlet and
gold, and by mounted cavasses in full uniform, slowly
passed out into the street to the sound of the royal
salute, and there were hats and caps raised, and a few
cheers were heard, but the Oriental is not in the
aggregate easily moved, and, least of all, by an infidel
show ; and, although there were graceful salutations by
upraised hands, and the most respectful attitude on the
part of the multitude, drawn up as if by order on both
sides of the tortuous streets, not a sign of admiration at
the fine sight or any emotion at the aspect of the unusual
uniforms could be detected on their faces. On getting a
short way into the streets leading from the palace, the
lines of soldiery began. As the Prince's cortege, with
its escort of Lancers and its rich liveries, prancing
horses, and curvetting outriders slowly passed between
the double row, the officers saluted, the colours were
lowered, and the bands, stationed at intervals, struck
up " God Save the Queen," and the Egyptian national air
—all in excellent style. Passing from courtyard to court.
Yard lined with troops, the procession passed into the
inner quadrangle, where there stood at the entrance
to the palace a mass of officers in blue and gold,
quite dazzling in their brightness as the sun fell on
them. A band of the Guards stationed near at hand
struck up " God Save the Queen "—and as the Prince's
carriage pulled up at the steps, which were lined by the
officers and suite of the palace, the Khedive in a very rich
uniform (blue and gold), wearing the Riband and Star of
India, came forth to meet him. His Royal Highness and
the Viceroy then proceeded through the crowd of great
functionaries, followed by their retinue; to the
reception-hall, where the Viceroy and Prince sat apart
in advance, with the Egyptian officials of the first
rank on the left and the British gentlemen on the right of
the hall on the sofas. Then there came in a valetaille in
fez and black frocks—they are scarcely domestics, how-
ever, for their office is higher than that of servants and
lower than that of Ministers. Then came a Minister of
Coffee, whose shoulder was covered with a cloth literally
stiff with pearl and diamond, bearing a tray
whereon most exquisite little cups were placed in
delicate holders that were perfect gems in all
but continuity of jewelled surface, for the most pre-
cious stones contended with each other to cover the
surface. The ceremony of pipes and coffee did not last
long. The Prince rose and the Viceroy did the same, and
then through the crowded outer halls the guest and host
walked to the outer porch, followed as before by their
suites, and there on the steps the Khedive took leave of
the Prince of Wales. The Royal procession, in the same
order as before, drove through the citadel with the same
honours as on their arrival.

THE SUEZ CANAL.
And now the visit to the So z Canal must be paid. The
Prince started the next clay for Suez. In company with
the Princess he visited the works there ; then they
embarked on board her Majesty's transport tender
Prompt, moored alongside, and in her visited the roads,
full of ships of all nations riding at anchor. Afterwards,
under the guidance of M. 'de Lesseps, the royal party
steamed for the embouchure of the canal, of which the
breadth is about one hundred and fiftymetres. Afterwards
the Prompt steamed back to the hotel at Suez, and
arrived there at half-past ten, when the royal party
breakfasted. In another hour they were descried walking
towards the station, whence they started at half-past
eleven precisely for Chalouf. Then there came the wil-
derness. Travelling though the sand, a lateen.shaped
sail emerging from it to our right betokened that we were
bordering the Sweet Water canal, until presently when
the sand surrounding us diminished, its whole breadth
of fifteen metres was apparent, and the traffic
on it of barges laden with vegetables, fodder,
and materials for the workmen of the various " campe-
ments." What is meant along the canal by " campemcnt"
was understood as we reached Chalouf, the first stage of
our journey—a distance of about nine miles from Suez—
shortly after twelve o'clock. Wooden sheds studded the
place, and an attempt at gardening was visible here and
there. Their Royal Highnesses proceeded on the right
bank of the canal, in the direction of Suez. It was one

Mr. Benjamin Higgs, the swell dell of the Central GO
Company, who recently disappeared from his fine villas at
T .vickenham, seems to have been a most extraordinary man-
His salary at the time of his disappearance was under £4OO
per annum. His establishment at Teddington, however,
was of almost princely character. Mr. Higgs's habits were
luxuriant and extravagant in the eztreme. The Tzeickeri--
ham Observe). says :—" The house, which contained about
thirty rooms, was fitted and furnished in the most swain'
tuous style. A large pleasure ground ran down to the
river Thames, where he had built a massive river wall.
Ho had also a large kitchen garden, and a model farm.
He was building, extensive stabling, fitted with all modern
appliances, kept two pair of carriages, nine horses, and
s ;Vera! ponies, and his family carriage and brougham were
the most substantial and elegant in the neigbbourhOod. Ire
had eight female servants, five gardeners, one groom, a coach-
man an I under coachman, the hous3l. old , xponses r, quiring
not less than two thousand a year. The furniture, the sale
LORD STANLEY IN GLASGOW. of which has just taken place, was of remarkable style
.., and quality, as may be judged from the fact that a pianoforte
' sold for 155 guineas. Mr. Iliggs's personal tastes and
tl
o- habits were not less extravagant, his gold watch and diamond
What Lord Stanley said about the Irish question in ring was the envy of the connoisseurs. He was musical,
reply to the address from the Conservative working men too, and his weekly musical parties were graced by the
of Glasgow was something as follows :—" You have seen, presence of our most celebrated artistes, who were sump"
and probably most of you have seen with regret, the late tuously entertained and sent to London by special
decision of the House of Commons as regards the Irish train. Mr. Higgs's benevolent instincts were also large.
Church, My awn opinion upon that question, which I On three occasions he gave cencorts at the Clarence Hotel;
took the opportunity of expressing to my constituents Teddington, the most celebrated professional singers wort
not many months ego, was in substance that while I engaged, the programmes were marvels of artistic beauty,
fully admitted that the actual and existing position the expenses were paid by Mr. Higgs, and the entire prop
of the Irish Establishment was invidious and not coeds were devoted to the building of new schools. On
easily defensible, while I thought that mere titular one occasion an insolvent received a cheque for £lBO, with
distinction and marks of dignity were not for a which he effected a composition with his creditors. On
Christian Church things worth fighting for or retaining another occasion an unfortunate man who was seriously in-
while I thought that funds not really wanted might jnrod by an explosion of the kitchen boiler while at WO
fairly he applied to any useful national purpose, still I did
notss
le
wanted,p think,aivaa nyad,nadlfvtdi
after
oirc
which
threeo
at r
et think,
centuries ,
a blthatabused,
eodef n,
possession,
oo sws house, was established in business with £3OO. The F roe
Church of England at Teddington received a new organ
eroughtendowments
se
into!: bwmehe: Ircvehmhl
merely
il.rsynet at a cost of £3OO, and the same congregation, now meet-
of religious equality.' fag in an iron church, recently rejoiced in the promise
order to establish a theory
of £2,000 towards a new and more substantial structure,
say that, after what is passed, I look upon any attempt which promise, however, has vanished with Mr. Higge•
to obtain an absolute reversal of the decision which is On the morning of his ' departure' there were eighty
passed as hopeless, but I think it is possible that we may men employed upon a new mansion which was in course of
still save something out of the fire. To alienate the whole erection upon land he was to have purchased at a cost of
body of the Irish Protestants from Great Britain is, to my £6OO per acre, the purchase, however, was never completed,
rmnil, a s,...tious :natter. In Ireland. I must say it plainly, I although the buildings were in progress. The mansion wee
do not think, that we are in a position in which we can estimated to cost £50,000. The freeholder was informed on
afford to Make enemies or to lose friends. lam not talking of tho Tuesday before Mr. Higgs's departure that there would
the Fen ians. Force can always be met by force, and there is be some difficulty and delay in the purchase and coal"
no doubt who is the strongest. But I fear that the desire Pletion of the freehold, in consequence of Iliggs's wife'o
for at least legislative indePendenee —which it is not reason. trustees having failed to meet their engagemont6:
able to ask for, since an Act of Parliament actually esta-
t s! ould be observed that he accounted to his wife and
f :lends for this extraordinary expenditure by saying that
Wished it in 1782, and another Act of Parliament took it
away twenty years later—that desire, I say, is, I fear, ho had received a legacy of £90,000 from a relative•
stronger and more general in Ireland than we on this side For several days before leaving he was making preparatione,
of the water are willing to admit. The Act of Union was for his departure. On Friday afternoon, the sth of March,
he entered the Waterloo train as usual ; but instead of alight'
not at the time of its passing a popular measure, and I
ing 0
do not believe that upon that point public opinion in at Twickenham, proceeded on to Reading, thence
Ireland is in any way changed. I certainly would Liverpool, and that night went on board a steamer for
rather not indicate what in any belief the result America. There is one side to this extraordinary story
which is indescribably painful, Mr. Higgs has left behindwould be if a popular vote was taken upon it in that
country. Now that is rather an awkward state of things to him a wife and eight children, who until now were ignorant,
deal with, and when I hear people saying, in perfect sin• of the source whence all the comforts and luxuries of tl:teird
ccrity and good faith, that you must deal with Irish matters home were derive.d, and are,Fllll,l2ateuiesailltt
ill acordano with what You gyppgaLtatilie wizhea of tAA clonsitatwOia °thin. ,

o'clock when the royal party seated themselves Vin
the train, and proceeded to Serapium. Between
the stations of Geneffa and Feyd they had a good
view of the bitter lakes to our right. The huge masses of
crystallised, sand-bestrewed salt and streaks of bright-blue
water looked like a half-thawed large lake. The streaks

of water we saw have run into the bitter lake from the

maritime canal at Serapium, at a distance of twenty
kilo-
metres from the spot lam alluding to. But the locks
have been closed there for a week, and the still existing
water denotes that the salt of the lake will not absorb it,
as the sceptical imagined.