Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-28
ACRUIsE ON THEUNITED STATES
STEAMER LANCASTER.
Naples - Vesuvius - HeTculaneum
and POmpeII-M -Measina-Egypt and
the PyramJds-Dim imcuItIss OF Camel
RjdIDg, esc.

The subioined letter was written by young
gentleman of Savannsh, who is a midshipman
in the navy, off on a cruise, q fact which will
perhaps add somewhat to its intrinsic interest:
U. S. STEAMSHIP LA~CGsTER, ALEXANDRIA
FGYPT, February 2l.-DeGr -: AS l wrote
to you on our wey from Messina and mailed
the etter as soon as we arrived, determined
not to write until l returned from Cairo.
And now something about Naples
should not care to follow the saying. "See
Naples and die for think it is the dirtiest
city was ever in, and the beggars are intolera-
bic. The bay is very pretty and old Vesuvius
adds to its heauty. Where we were mOored
we had a beautiful view OF VeSuvius, which is
getting more and more active every day now,
and at night the red flames could be seen
around the mouth OF the crater. and by the
aid Of glass we could see pieces of red hot
rock aud lava thrown from the mouth. did
not climb to the top Of Vesuvius, not being
able to get away from the ship at a convenient
time. I went to Pompeii and HercuIaneum,
however. A party OF us took a carriage and
guide and went first to Herculaneum, which
was covered with lava. Only a small part of it
has been eXcavated, and II looks very SIN all
compared with Pompeii
Pompeii, it IS estimated, had population of
about 7lO 0C0, and nearly all of it has been eX-
cavated. Most Of the statuary, etc, found has
been taken TO the Museum in Naples, yet the
CITY is very interesting. 1t seems strange, how
ever, to walk up and down lOng-deSerted
streets. There is one thing can say for Pom
Deli which j can say IOF no OLueF lIallaQ CITY
il is clean The Museum in Naples is a very
large one. and there are a great many curiosi-
ties in il, but the paintings and statuary are
very poor compared with those in Florence.
From Naples we went TO Messina, only stop
ping there long enough to "c"al ship" Is is a
dull. uninteresting place. The only things to
be gotten there are oranges and opera glasses.
Strange to say, you csn get opera glasses
cheaper in Messina than elsewhere in Italy.
From Messina we came here Ito Alexandria,,
having bad weather only one night, when it
blew very hard. In attempting to furl the
maintopsail man was knocked off the ward
by the Tapping OF the sail, and falling on the
deck was instantly killed He was buried at
sea next day with the usual hOnors. The day
after we arrived at Alexandria 1 procured
three days leave and went TO Cairo with
a nartv We started about 10 o'clock
in the morning and. as it is about five hours
ride arrived in time to see the principal sights
OF the city the same afternoon. Ia the even
ing we went to a French opera. and next morn
ing started early for the pyramids. great
mart OF the drive is along the banks OF the Nile
and is very picturesque, and we met long cara
vans o. camels ana donkeys going into the
city with market produce.
After an hours drive we arrived at the
pyramids which, with the Sphinx. are just on
the edge of the desert. There is tribe OF
and assist visitors up and down for con-
sideratiOn-in fact. strangers are not allowed
to go up without these attendants. as it is too
dangerous. I had three OF these brawny
my hands pulling, and one behind showing:
and although started very briskly, before l
reached the top was very glad of their help.
Coming down. two Of them held my hands,
and the third tied his sash around my chest
and held the end. Climbing to the top is hard
work, but / did not consider it 50
hard as going through the interior,
where we had to crawl through small, dusty
passages. and got almost smOthered
We returned to the city in time for lunch,
and in the afternoon visited the museum and
bazars. It takes long time to effect pur-
chase in this country, for the dealers always
charge more than one is willing or expected to
pay, and IL one-half to one-f1fth OF the price
asked is offered, you can usually get the thing
bargained for.
on the Following day went to see the howling
and dancing Dervishes. Jack and concluded
we would like to ride a camel, and so, sending
our guide, we soon had couple OF the brutes
ready. ] must confess my first attempt was
not a success. The Arab owner made
the animal lie down, and l climbed
upon his back. expecting the fellow to get up
like horse. bfaced myself accordingly and
held on tigist by the forward part OF the saddle.
but instead of rising on his front feet he got
up like a COW. rising on his long hind legs very
suddenly. l accordingly went over his head as
the middle OF the street, much to the amuse-
meut Of q crowd of 'true believers" who were
delighted to see the 'Inglese" take q header.
was not hurt and. trying It again. was more
successful Jack. prohting by my experience,
did not fall, and we took long ride rather
Liked the motion. although IL would probably
Make a good many sea sick
From here we expect TO 90 70 Joppa, Smyrna,
ConstantfnOple, Athens and perhaps Trieste and
Venice, returning to Villefranchi by last Of
March, and prepare for northern cruise.
q. r, Q,