The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-09-16
OUR FOREIGN LETTER.
(From our own Correspondent

(From our own Correspondent)
Port Said, Egypt, Aug. %, 1882
One of the ugliest spots on earth is
Port Said-depot, harbor what-not,
receptacle for the scum of christendom.
Standing at the European end of the
Suez Canal it opens It's long arms of
uneaqual length to embrace the ship
ping Of the world. A low Struggling
series of wide streets, tumbledown sets
Of wooden shanties ingeniously con-
structed out of whisky boxes, cross
one another and recross in picturesque
confusion, while dresses of all nations
fit hither and thither in the sunlight,
and coins from every mint in the world
find their way into the capacious tills
Of innumerable drinling-houses. Ven
doris of gaudy shawls and cheap trink-
cts force their wares upon the tourist;
rival boatmen gesticulate in his face
and shout gutteral Arabic into his ear;
goblin imps seize upon his feet and
black his boots despite all protest. A
busy, thriving, hideous little place is
Port Said in time of peace. Wherein
does its condition differ when Bellona
has sounded her alarm? Port Said is
in state Of panic-it has disgorged
its Europeans, and inimical Bedonins
parade its streets-so | was told in
Alexandria two days back. Not bit
Of it. Save and except that iron clads
occupy its waters, its is the same I'M
pleasing spot which is familiar to so
many travlers. The monarch" the
"Northumberland;" and "Penelope"
rock in a graceful line, fanked by
trim gunboats A French man-of-war
gushes constantly with music, its in
defatigable band pouring forth select
ions from Offenbach, Lecoeq, Herve,
which seem some how to permeate the
atmosphere, making the heart glad,
the sun more bright, the air more
clear; while far out at sea lie other
ironclads, one belonging to each coun-
try, ready to take on board the people
of its nation as hens gather their chick
ems in moments Of sudden peril Yes,
there is danger, and England means
business. That much is certain. The
great ships are full of life, each with
in its own domain. Drill is going for
ward under the white awnings; pol
ishing Of arms that are polished al
ready to blinking point; Vancouver
ing of guns. No sailors are allowed
on shore; they have on board as much
work as occupies them thoroughly.
You have business at the British
consulate? 1t is locked, its flag haul
ed down, its verandahs desolate. On
its closed portals there is a document
which advises all British subjects to
depart at once, offering even to pay
the passage to Malta of such as are
impecunious. The Arab thirsts for the
blood of christian men; the British
army is approaching; the horrors of
war are about to burst upon the land;
the civilian element should make itself
scarce with all the speed that may be;
why should merchants, agents, ship
chambers, elect to linger and impede
with their cumbrous presence the
movements Of the real workers? The
massacre of Alexandra conveys no
warning, and they decline to bulge.
Ladies stroll languidly under sunshade
while their husbands sip mastique or
brandy-an-soda under the awning of
the English bar True, all but the
pettiest trade is at Il standstill; but
home is here and the neighborhood
Of the ironcIads instils comfort into
the soul. There is even a cafe-chant-
ant open, wherein at shutdown an
ochestra Of young ladies fddles off
fantasies struggles tooth and nail with
the mysteries of Wagner-damsels
who have drited from Triste and seem
happily oblivious of dark threats and
the undercurrent Of Moslem curses.
People are resolved to dance on the
volcano so long as there Is a crust to
dance on; and so they bow and scrape
as usual, and exchange small gossip,
as if Arab were not and Tewfk reign
ed in CARO-.