The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-03
OH Grareller.
LIFE IN MANY LANDS
PROM ALEXANDRIA TO CAIRO.
ny REV. HUGH ROY scorr.


runs the most of the way through the
luxuriant valley Of the Nile. OF all lands
on the globe, none are more remarkable
than this productive valley. Though
scarcely any rain ever falls upon it, there
is no area OF the same size on the globe
more fertile. The annual food of water
from the mountains brings deposit of
earth, which forms the soil that produces
an amount Of grain, and vegetables, and
grass, probably uneqaalled by any other
portion of the earth's surface of the same
dimensions.
For thousands of years, the food Of
large portion of the inhabitants of both
shores of the Mediterranean, has been
grown upon this valley. Greeks and
Romans here obtained supplies for their
vast armies, and, when famine came upon
the land of Canaan, this was the land that
furnished corn for the hungry people.
All through the valley, in places run
ming from either side of the river twenty
or thirty miles, little canals convey the
waters Of the Nile, to furnish the needed
moisture to the growing crops and all
along the banks of the river, water.wheels
moved by oxen, are constantly at work,
lifting the water into the canals by strings
of buckets. There is scarcely any waste
land to be seen. Up to the borders of the
desert on either side, the vast plain is
covered over with luxuriant vegetation.
And never did see any other land so
covered over with animal life Immense
herds Of cattle and hocks of sheep are
almost always in view, as one hurries
along in the rail train, and immense Aocks
Of birds Of various descriptions are con-
stantly seen, especially pigeons. We
passed village completely given up to
these birds. And all along the road, fiocks
of cranes and storks are seen walking
among the cattle, feeding upon the small
insects, that are flying around them.
For an hour or two, the scene, though
one Of peculiar interest, was very monoto-
nOus-vast plains of grain and grass, and
herds and Aocks Of cattle and sheep and
birds, with scarcely anything to relieve the
monotony. Even the songs of the people,
which we heard constantly, tended to in
crease the painful monotony, the same dull
wearisome monotone necessarily repeated
for they are singing people, with little
idea Of music. After we were almost
wearied with looking out upon the rich
plains covered over with animal and vege-
table life, we were cheered by the cry Of
"bte Pyramids,' and some ten or fifteen
miles to our right, we saw distinctly the
outlines Of these grand old tombs Of the
Pharaohs towering up, as silent and sombre
sentinels, upon the verge of the desert;
and, in short time the luxuriant palm
groves near Cairo, came in view, and then
the Mosque Of Mahomet Ali, and the
caliph's tomb on the hill, and the densely
crowded city, rnnning for miles along the
eastern bank Of the Nile.
Cairo, with population of probably
four hundred thousand souls, is the most
cosmopolitan place on the globe. All the
nations Of Europe, and the East have
their representatives here. There are
number Of superior hotels kept up in the
European style, and good number Of
English and French families keep up
handsome establishments, provided with
all the comforts and luxuries of the Euro
pean homes OF the wealthy. The costumes
of the people are as various as their nation
alities. As one walks through the streets
he meets greater variety of character,
and Of manners and customs than he can
probably see anywhere else in the world.
He passes one minute through broad and
beautiful streets, lined with European
hotels, and stores and warehouses, and
meets gaily dressed ladies', in splendid
carriages, and then he passes the next
minute into a narrow thoroughfare, with
the houses almost meeting over his head,
crowded with motley groups of 0rientals,
in the various costumes of their native
lands, crowding each other. The Turk
sits in his bazaar, with his wares, all
opened to the view Of passers by, quietly
smoking and waiting for the call Of his
customers. Among these people crowded
in the narrow thoroughfares, are to be
seen constantly, and curionsly interming-
led, people Of every color, speaking per-
feet Babel Of languages. The black
eunuch is seen, escorting troop of his
masters wives, with their long white wells
screening their features from public gaze,
and occasionally camel is met striding
along with one or two women and children
stored away on his lofty haunch. But
the most characteristic parties Of all the
strange people that crowd these streets, are
the donkey boys Around the hotels,
they continually swarm, and il is curious
to see the enthusiasm with which these
little fellows proclaim the perfections Of
their donkeys. Many ofthem have learned
afew words of English and French, which
they make the most Of, and you hear them
crying, "my good donkey, my lady he 60
ten miles an hour, he be gentle, he no fall
down." amy donkey good race horse, he
be best donkey, and he throws his arm
around the little animal, and kisses him,
and talks to him, crying, any dear good
Donkey and yet these little fellows win
follow the donkey for hours, and beat him