Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-29


juncture, when my need was the sorest, an
agent of Gazes offered his services and
thanks to his energy we were hurried
through the custom house and put on a
train that got to Cairo five hours in advance
of our fellow travellers on the steamer.
What a journey it was every sight new
and interesting; If we had dropped into an
other planet, doubt if the transition could
be more surprising than our first impressions
of Africa.
ONE VAST PANORAMA.
At Shepheard's Hotel we found English,
Scotch and American friends, with whom
we had very enjoyable time. Perhaps no
city in the world shows so much that is pic
turesque as Cairo. Sitting in the garden of
the hoIel, which from Its near and elevated
position, commands a view of the favorite
street, we saw what may be compared to a
moving panorama of beauty and hrilliancy
of color, kaleidoscope in its attractions and
surprises. Cairo is the gathering place of
almost all nationalities, Eastern, Western
and Southern, and many OF them take pride
in wearing their distinctive costumes; even
the Scotch Highlander, with his kilt and
bagpipe, was not wanting in the picture.
1t was common to see long professions of
camels passing in single file, and to us
strangers the patient beasts were quite in
teresting. They had a dignIfied mien,
noble appearance that won our admiration.
Each face had an individuality about it that
made 1t worthy of study. Never did a
number pass but they received, was going
to say our undivided attention, but this was
shared by their strange riders and drivers.
The donkeys and donkey boys were very in
teresting, and it is quite the proper thing to
90 riding on a donkey with boy to drive
it, and it is really trouble to keep the boy
at reasonable gait, as he is so fond of
hitting and shouting at his donkey, and
though he has to run to keep up with it. he
delights in his labor. He is usually quick
witted lad, and causes much amusement.
One thing he never forgets: He praises his
donkey, himself and his patron, aud winds
mp with request for bscksheesh. These,
with some funny variations, continue to be
his talk till his trip is accomplished.
VERY SUPERIOR DoNKEYs.
The donkeys are much superior to what
we see in the United States, they are very
useful, and almost indispensable to the
country, their gaits differ, but most of them
are good rackers. They are cheaply kept
and come within the reach of poor as well
as the rich, and both are glad to use them.
The mosques at Cairo are very fine, but
do not compare in my mind with the great
csthedrals and churches of England and
OOubluCul w hcuE W sCuOOl duO
saw the boys all sitting on the floor learn
ing the Koran, which seems their chief
study, and all were talking at the same
time. A friend of mine, an English NJ. P,
pleased with the appearance of the children,
and in response to their outstretched hands,
gave them some small coins, when the
teacher, elated at their success, advanced
and presented his open palm. But this was
too much for the English legislator, who
had himself been a teacher, and respected
tie profession. This incident illustrates
how strong and widespread is the love OF
backsheesh.
Round about Cairo there are many very
interesting excursions. Nearby is the land
of Goschen which deserves its name for
richness. Imagine US becoming enthusiastic
over the antiquities OF Italy! We should
have reserved ourselves, and tried to do
Justice to Egypt. Think of Memphis which
is said to have been seven thousand years old
when Abraham and Joseph saw it, or con-
slider Heliopolis, the City of the Sun, now
only marked by standing needle or mono
lith of fine proportions, beautifully sculp-
tured. Propably upon this stone shaft
Moses has often looked, as it was here be
Learned all the wisdom of the Egyptians"
and it was here where Joseph married the
high priests daughter, and where Jeremiah
penned his lamentations, and Plato wrote
his immortal thoughts.
ON TOP OF cHBoPs.
Seven miles Of . pleasant drive from