The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-21
CoRRESPoNDE
Letter from Rev. DR.. M. d. Hoge
CAIRO, March 21st, 1880.

CAIRO, March 2lst, 1880.
1feSSrs EditorS.-We entered Africa
shivering with cold, and our first expert
ence of "rainless Egypt" was drenching
showerl And yet how unwise it would
be to form an opinion of the climate of a
country by first impression, especially
at an exceptional season like the present,
when southern Europe and northern
Africa have been swept by wintry storms,
the like of which has perhaps not been
known for half century 1t is not true
that rain is unusual in Egypt Along
the Mediterranean coast showers are fire.
quent, and even in Cairo there are occa-
sional falls of rain, with this popularity,
however, that the quantity is small and
of short duration A cloud comes scud-
ding along there is little shower, and
by the time umbrellas are raised the sun
shines out again, and the sky looks bluer
than before There are no rains in the
interior that are Of the least benefit to
vegetation that derives its,refreshment
from the Nile and not from the clouds.
There were two or three showers during
the first Sunday Of our stay in this city,
but since that time the weather has been
simply delicious-the freshness of spring
without its chill, the glow of summer
without its enervation.
Sight of Another Continent.
The first glimpse we had of the African
coast was most impressive because of it's
strangeness. First, the Pharos of Alex
andria shining like the morning star.
Then long, low strip of yellow sand a
little above the blue line of the sea, a
streak of creamy white between the two,
where the surf was breaking on the shore
then few storm-beaten palms and halt
dozen wind-mills waving us lazy salutes
with their dusky sails; then the light
house, and the extended break-water
forming harbor into which we ran to
drop anchor amidst steamers and ships
from hundred ports We had to 90
ashore in small boats little feet OF
which had gathered about us, manned
with Nubians and swarthy Egyptians all
wearing the fez or turban, with scanty
robes fastened round the waist with many
colored sashes, uttering strange cries and
voclterous offers to convey us to the shore.
The Gate of Egypt,
We might have fingered several DAYS
in Alexandria had we not known that
whatever Of Oriental life to be seen there
might be studied to better advantage in
Cairo, to which Alexandria is but an in
PRODUCTION.
Having found comfortable quarters at
the Hotel de / Europe, (where the SER
wants, If sitting down, rise up to salute
you when you pass them, and wait on
you in the most deferential manner at all
tlmes,) we engaged for our guide through
the city Syrian whose name, Achmet
Abdaila, was reminder of the enchanted
land upon which we had entered. and
made our tour through the city, visiting
first of all the obelisk now on the frame
work by which it is to be conveyed to
the vessel which is to transport it to the
United States. The hieroglyphics on
this obelisk-one of Cleopatras needles
Its companion having already been
carried to London-show that it was
erected in the time of Thothmes III. B.
Q. 1890. 1t also bears the names of two
others of the Pharoahs, subsequently en-
graved on it, The obelisk now in Lon
don was presented to the English govern
ment by Mohammed Ali, and the one
soon to be sent to our country was the
gift of Ismail Pasha, and when it was as
certained that it was to be removed, a
good deal Of opposition was awakened
among the French and Italians residing
IN Alexandria, so that our consul had to
take some very positive steps in the mat
ter before it was settled.
Next we visited Pompeys Pillar, which
marks the spot where the great temple Of
Scraps once stood then the Palace and
gardens Of the Pasba; then the Arabian
and Turkish quarters, and finally the
public square in the centre of which
stands the equestrian statue of Moham-
med Ali, the erection Of which was for a