Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-20
esoue peouliarities when observed by its


Jealous and demonstrative devotees.
All are seated in q circle on the floor OF
mosque of plain and unadorned descrip-
ton. The mellow notes Of a flute are heard
and each one joins in succession of snorts
and grunts, sometimes barking like dog or
putting loudly like locomotive. A Nubian,
in white turban and sort of surplics, en-
ters, bearing a wand, and performs some as
tonishing swirling with oRtstretched arms
Round and round he goes, while the putting
and snorting 60 on. but with new sounds
ever and anon. Nearly all are swaying and
rocking from side to side, or backward and
forward. Two or three gain their feet,
long black hair of one flying in the breeze
like veritable witch astride of broom
stick. A digni6ed old man keeps them in
proper position. Any deviation from the
prescribed rule involves mark of disappro-
baton or some sort of penalty. The great
effort is to mcrtify the flesh by laboring even
to downright exhaustion. If one falls down
from an attack of vertigo, or in an epileptic
fit, it is deemed signal success, but the
weary work still proceeds with renewed Wig
or. At Cairo the sect is small and barely
tolerated by the government. Constantine
pie furnished greater facilities for their
work, and nowhere outside of Persia can the
bowling or whirling Dervish be studied to
greater advantage.
Cairo is both old and modern. The Oldest
portion of the city was begun A. D. 638.
Arabs in their abiah, or coarse cloak, with
bare, dirty legs, and children entirely nude,
crowd the streets among stylish and dainty
ladies and gentlemen from remote portions
Of Europe and America, or are possibly well
to do and permanent native residents. DON
keys and oamels crowd the streets. "Draqo-
men, black. yellow and white, splendidly
dressed in flowing trowsers. silk and satin
vests, embroidered Jackets and immense tur-
bans, quareling with donkey owners, who
are finding fault with donkey drivers, who
are doing the same with the donkeys. The
traveller threatens to belabor the drageman,
the dragoman does belsbor the owner, the
swner belabors the boy, and the boy the
donkey, and none Of them seem to care
much for it. Add to this half dozen
mountebanks, dozen dealers in relics, tur-
bans and handkerehiefs, ffty dogs, one of
whom is playing circus with a monkey on
his back, snake charmer with bagfull of
snakes all standing erect, If snake can
stand, with fangs protruding, ready to make
a plunge at their conqueror, who offers to
swallow any one of them for a shilling, and
you have faint idea of what is going on
daily in the city.
The Sphinx, it should be remembered, was
worshipped as one of their gods by the an
cient Egyptians. Its object was undoubted-
ly that it's sleepless eye might watch over the
dust of the departed monarchs slumbering in
the adjacent pyramids.
According to Pliny it's dimensions are:
Height, one hundred and forty-three feet and
circumference around the forehead one hum
dred and two feet. The DAVIS are those of
lion and extend in front fifty feet.
DR.. Young translated the inscription on
one of its paws as follows:
.sThy form stupendous here the gods have placed,
sparing each spot of harvest bearing land,
The rocky isle encumbered once with sand,
And near thy pyramids bid thee stand;
Not that fierce Sphinx that Thebes erewhile laid
But great Latona's servant mild and bland;
Watching the prince beloved who fills the throne
OF Egypt's plains and calls the Nile his own;
That heavenly monarch (who his foes deaes),
Like Vulcan powerful and like Pallas WISE"
Alexandria, distant from Cairo one hum
dred and thirty miles. was reached in about
four hours. Rapid travelling is not one of
the besetting sins of the Egyptian railway.
Unless the roadbed were placed in better re-
pair it might prove an "upsetting sin," as a
colored brother once described the sin of in
toxioation. It's broad plazas, fine pablie
buildings, pleasant streets and comfortable
hotels will long be held in cheerful remen-
brance. It is the seaport and commercial
capital of Egypt. During the summer 1t is
the official residence Of the Khedivs, who
removes to Cairo in the fall. His return was
daily expected when We left, and public
buildings and the main thoroughfares were
profusely decorated with bunting, palm
branches and other forms of adornment.
He is more popular than many of his prede-
| cessors. The presence of an Eaglish garri-
son at Cairo and Alexandris elicits but little
complaint, and English silver is taken in
trade with as much eagerness as is the Turk
ish piastre.
The recent appointment of Nj. Ernest a.
Crosby, of New York, as judge Of the Inter-
national court at Alexandria, by President
Harrison, was judicious choice. The rec
ognized Republican leader in the New York
Assembly, his absence will be keenly felt by
his party comrades especially. His scholarly
tastes will fnd abundant scope for activity
in his new field of labor.
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the
Great B. @. 3s2, from whom. it derives its
name. The re-opening of the Mahmoudieh
canal in 1919 gave fresh impulse to con-
merce, which has grown to enormous pro-
portions since that period. The modern
portion of the city covers the ancient island
of Pharos, together with the isthmus con-
necting it with the main land. 1t is a de-
lightful winter resort aud the hetels are
crowded during that season of the year.
NATHAN HURBELL.