Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-01

is not easy to tell, but it was a most
welcome and delightful stranger on the
banks of the Nile: it accompanied me
afterwards through Palestine and Sy.
ria, and in the wilderness, and in wea-
ry and solitary hours, what better and
more inspiring consolation could a
a wanderer wish for? That little vo-
lume has been no small traveller; on
leaving Syria l gave it to the daughter
of the English consul-general at Bel
routt at the foot of Mount Lebanon,
where, from the value placed on its con-
tents, it is likely to be inviolably pre-
served.
A singular amusement is to be seen
some times in the streets. Two men,
thinly clothed, and fat as butter, with
broad, laughing countenances, circle
continually round each other, and eve
ny time they meet hit one another Sc
we're and dexterous blows on the face,
singing all the time some humorous
song, accompanied by droll gestures
and grimaces this is much enjoyed by
the populace. One day we rode to the
palace of the Pacha, at Saoubra. tits
pleasantly situated on the banks OF the
Nile, and one or two of its apartments
exhibit all the splendid appendages OF
Orientalism. The saloon had very
tempting appearance: its rich ottomans
and cushions, its rich fountain and cool
recesses-all invited to luxurious re-
pose and enjoyment. The garden was
pretty, and laid out in the European
manner: in the middle was charming
kiosque shaded by the trees. This
prince is a great voluptuary, temperate
in eating and drinking. Like most
Turks of rank, he avails himself, un-
limitedly, of the Prophets permission
of pleurality of wives. We saw the
ladies of his harem one day riding out;
they were eight in number, but SO close
ly yelled and mantled, it was impossi-
BILE to form any opinion of their coun-
tenance or figure. A traveller in the
East who chances to be physician, is
privileged above all men; he obtains
admission into the serais, beholds the
features Of the favorite beauties, and
holds long conversations with them;
and it is singular how very anxious
and curious the Eastern ladies are to
see the Hakim or Frank physician
He comes with solemn countenance,
the very eunuchs loook complaisant on
him, and each lady holds out her beau
tiful hand, assumes languishing air,
and allows him to examine the color Of
her eyes, and talks without reserve
Even a trifling knowledge of medicine
is Of the greatest service; to this we
afterwards owed our deliverance from
captivity by the Arabs. Even when
walking through some parts of Cairo
with Osmin, the renegsde Scotsman,
who professed to be bit of doctor,
he was assailed by several women on
the subject of their own, or their fami-
lies complaints. The environs of
Cairo, since the subsistence of the in
undatioE, are wonderfully improved in
beauty; but the only pleasant situation
for residence is at Old Cairo, on the
banks of the Nile. 1t is rather ru-
nous place; but there are some mer-
chants houses at the waters edge,
amidst mass of foliage, which look
on the isle of Rodah, and the village of
Gizeh, on the opposite shore. In ri
ding to this place, you often see, in the
shade of the large trees near the path,
groups of women of a certain descrip-
ton, loosely apparelied, who, having
lighted fire and prepared coffee, allure
with their voice and enticing gestures
the passengers to join them; but their
has few attractions.
One sees at Cairo good many had
gis or pilgrims from Mecca. These
men richly deserve the privileges they
acquire, for it is journey Of immense
hardship and difficulty. The pilgrim
age OF the Christians to Jerusalem is
mere amusement compared to many Of
the Moslems' journey. Often from the
very heart of Africa, he must cross vast
deserts, endure the extremities of thirst
and heat; and nothing but an ardent,
though misplaced enthusiasm of piety,
could possibly sustain his strength Of
body or mind.
The merchants, who undertake the
Journey chiefly from the prospects of
gain, 20 prepared with their servants,
camels, and variety Of Injuries; but
the hosts of poor devoted beings who
on foot, resolved to behold the
birthplace of their Prophet, must ex-
pect to suffer dreadfully Many of
them, venerable with age, who leave
their homes and families to traverse a
succession of burning sands, can have
little hope of returning again, and the
of caravan on its return is
som etimes like that of an army after
battle.
There are various warm baths at
c afro, and the Orientals, both men and