The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-04-14
Letter from Mr.. George w. Yeiser.


Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
PORT SAID, EGYPT, March 15 1900.
DEAR READERS Since wrote my last letter l
Travelled nearly 1900 miles in the "land of the Pha-
aohs." l looked upon all the principal ruins and
tombs, so far they discovered, they appear
today once the pride and splendor of the Pharaohs
today only reflection of their past greatness.
Where once stood proud and magnificent cities,
with enormous temples of granite today there re-
main only ruins and desolation. Where once stood
the palaces and courts of the Pharaohs today grass
and wheat grows.
So much ofinterest has been covered by the tour
since my last letter that it would be folly to try to
do justice in a letter to the ADVOCATE.
From Cairo to the First Cataract"
We entered the tomb of the sacred bull, 300 feet
deep cut out of solid rock, with the walls beauti-
fully decorated with hierogyphies, with d of the
large granite Sarcophagi Is by by Il feet still in
the tomb. The tombS of the Phanohs, including
that of Seti /. and RameseS H. the Pharaohs of the
oppression. Here they rested $500 years, but now
the mummies lying in a curiosity shop at Cairo.
The ruins of many granite temples cover from
TO 200 The largest of these temples is at kar
max. In this temple about 500 columns are still
standing from 30 tC Sc feet in circumference and
about GO feet high. On top of these pillars stone
girlers about u feet square. Among the ruins
HhAIcuS "a SpAliNNf W lkh lstA anu iloh
heads. There are not less than twenty-five enor-
nous statues Of Rameses H. Near the center of the
temple stands an obelisk ~ feet high and feet
square hcwn out of stone. 1t is said this tenn
pie covered 200 acres The temple had wall
around it - feet high and p feet thick Two of the
arches that led through the wall stil stand. They
are about % feet high and > feet thick. To this
temple the sacred vessels Of solomon Temple were
carried when King Rehoboam defeated by the
King OF Egypt
All through Egypt ruins Of these large granite
temples, and nearly all dedicated rededicated TO
Rameses II. or his father. SetiI.
At Edfu. GIG miles up the river, party went to
the top of the tower of the temple, liz feet high
Anaround the temple where the ancient city stood,
there is native village with population of about
300 The hut of the native is about feet square.
and has roof as it never rains here. From the
top OF the party could look direct into the
habiatiou of these people No furniture, no stove
nothing but little straw in one corner of the hut
for Il bed. children naked and covered with dies
oh what God forsaken people What contrast
between the ancient ''lsnd Of the Pharaohs' and
Egypt Of today. When we got back to the river
hosts of women were standing in the river washing
II was wash day. and am sure the clothes needed
all the rubbing they got out of this same river the
water is taken that our party drinks from day to
this is why it is called "The sweet waters of the
Nile"
ON Friday March o our party passed the "croe O.
die" temple on the bank OF the Nile. Here the
col "Sebek" or the Crocodile God" was wor-
shipped. The temple measures 500 feet by 80. The
temple was a magnificent one. About 30 of the
large columns % feet high are still standing. 1t
was dedicated 10 The Crocodile GGd' About ff-
teen minutes before we got to the temple Rev. Dr.
Blackburn, Rev. DR.. Medler and the writer saw
small crocodile about two feet long running along
on the bunk This is the only one that was seen by
our party on the walls of these temples in Egyp-
tian hiernglyphie signs is written the history of
the Kings In the large temple Of Rameses III.
supposed to have been the of the Pharoah of the
EXODUS. the king is represented cutting off the
hands Of his captives. large mound of hands is
living before him. Another wall presents scene
to- vulgar to mention.
ON the wall at the temple OF karHak the King
Shishsk Is represented returning from his victorious
march against Jerusalem, In his right hand he
holds his sword in his left a number of ropes to
y hich the prisoners are attached. Rev. DR.. Black
burn and myself returned to this temple second
time az our own expense, to ascertain If there is
any perccptblc difference in the features Of the
captives OF Juda and captives represented in other
scenes There is a difference, and the features are
distinctly Jewish.
Another scene represents all the Kings, King
Shishak subduel. One OF these Kings is King Re
hoboam, bearing the inscription King Of Juda.''
lRead l Kings. "a ehapter0
The first cataract is IA miles from the mouth Of
the river. There are many scenes here 10 interest
the tourist but space will not permit to describe.
Here English engineers and capitalists are build
ing a wall across the Nile to hold the water that
the fertile land Of Egypt may be inundated at will
There are L 200 men at work ON the dam now. The
wall will be solid granite and will cost s25oOo.00O.
Part Of the wall on the high sand is completed.
Just as our party arrived within two three hun
ilred yards of the WALL at six O'Clock hundreds of
blasts were set oil in the river rock, fire and water
assembled fifty feet We made no effort to get closer
The farther up the river the darker the natives If
am a Judge OF black am sure the last shade is APP
p,ied at Aswan Il is said the river is lower now
than II was at this for twenty-five years As
a result we stuck fast sand banks more than
twenty five times. From Luxor we took the train
back To Cairo. $50 miles. When passenger enters
ear In the East the conductor punches the ticket,
then locks the door ami leaves the passenger to his
fate until the destination is reached. When the
time arrives for the tnlin to start an official with
brass horn steps the platform, throws back his
shoulders then his cheeks fly out like two inha ted
barons the trumpet sounds, and OF goes the train
at so miles an huuE FROM NAlfo 70 4Slllldlld We
passed through the land Of Goshen. From lshmalia
70 Port said saw the most interesting sight of my
life on one side the suez Canal on tie other the
Egyptian sun setting behind the horizon of an inlet
OF the Mediterranean Sea, and the beautiful scene
/ obscured by millions of ducks. For over twenty
miles this body Of water was practically covered by
/ these interesting birds. Thousands were within
thirty yards of oar train and not disturbed in
! the least lost ali interest in the canal. wished
/ for my gun plenty of Shells a bush-whacker boat
and friend a crack live bird shot of Carroll who
carries about one hundred and f ty pounds super
/ nuous avoIrlupois would have been very interest
! ing companion. Here two of the members of the
Westminster Gun Club could have made full scores
Quite record for any member of that organization
| Two words learned in Egypt that shall never
| forget Here they are" Rameses' and Back
/ Sheesh"
our party landed safely within the walls of Jeru-
salem. Very truly, GEO. W. NEIsER.