The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-04

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We were in tho desert here, and played
in tho soft sand for some time, in . most
undignified manner. We were at Asso-
nan Sunday morning, and lay BY all day.
We were no " within thirty miles Of the
Tropics, and but short distance north
Of the meridian Of Calcutta, and while We
lay still it was very hot. Il <4s.
Monday We went to Philai, some OF us
on camels and some on donkeys. l tried
the camel mounting with many misgiv-
ings. The critical time is whea the camel
gets up from his knees; after that it is
very easy riding indeed. except at the
fast trot, which is rather rough.
The ruins of Philai and the river to-
gether form very pretty picture indeed.
Philai is just within the borders Of Nubia.
While We were at Philai, we went down
to see the cataracts. They are not quite
as imposing as the name would imply, be-
Ing merely swift stream broken by rocks
and boulders. The t'bab'' or gate, is a
narrow channel through which the
water PUSHES very fast, and is
enc of the most dangerous
parts of the cataract. = Six invalided
ones eff our party shot the cataract in the
ships boat, and enjoyed it i'm mensely, al
though it was an expensive treat, the cost
being four pounds Resides backsheeSh.
The way was over most barren desert.
Huge hills of rounded granite boulders,
with the valleys filled up with yellow
sand. l found several advantages in rid.
ing upon camel, of which the most i'm.
portant were, freedom from dust, GOODNESS,
and being out out of reach. of the beggars
who are peculiarly importunate, having
actually pulled one Of the ladies fr: m her
donkey. When we were back at Asso1an,
we found q crowd of people about the
boat, with ostrich feathers for sale quite
cheap. As there were so many buyers I
could not maze bargain to satisfy me,
and only bought few. understand that
at Alden at the foot Of the Red Sea, they
can be got much finer and cheaper. Tues
day we made long run Of 1873 miles, and
came to Luxor.
Wednesday we had long trip, going to
the temple of Koorneh, the Yombs Of the
Kings, the Memnoniuao, &C. We had
quite hard and hot ride, part of the
time through close valley, with high
yellow hills on both sides, and the sun
beating down with great force.
Some Of the tombs were filled with very
finely preserved paintings illustrative Of
old customs; and were Of immense size,
all cut out of the solid rock.
The Memnonium is merely lot of
large columns standing; there are the re-
mains of a colossal statue Of Rameses,
but so shattered that it is difficult to tell
what it is. The portion Of tho body
which remains forms boulder some
twelve feet high.
The second day we visited some more
tombs, the temple Of Medeenet Aboo,
and the Colossi. The two former are
about the same as the rest of their class,
but the Colossi are wonders. They are
two sitting statues both Of Annmoph
III. each Of single mass Of stone and
6fty.feet high. The feet are three and
half yards in length. I climed up and
sat on the foot Of one of them to assist in
forming some idea Of their size. Their
knees are about twenty feet from the base
It is only when seen at some distance can
that one can appreciate them. They are
plainly visible from Karnak about four
miles distant.
Ito be Continued)