Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-05-19
INTERESTING LETTER
FROM MR.. LAUMASTER
Rome, Italy, April 30

To the AMERICAN 1t would |
have been real pleasure to me, in
sending my last letter to you, which |
was dated at Cairo, Egypt, if | could I
have written you at length concern !
ing many interesting scenes and ex-
periences in Palestine; but, owing to |
the nature Of our cruise, and the many |
changes our party were compelled to
make, it was only possible for me to
send the briefest outline of the trip.
After a visit of five days in Cairo,
during which time we visited many
places Of interest. we departed for
Alexandria. and then, by small boats
to our ship. as we were not allowed to
spend any time in Alexandria, owing
to the fact that the prevalence of the
bubonic plague barred Us out.
Cairo has population of 400, 600. 1t
is city OF great interest in many
ways. The people themselves are in
teresting, and are easily designated by
their distinctive costumes, the Copts.
with their blue turbans, the blue skirt
ed Fellahin, dark-tuTbaned Berbers,
yellow tan faced Jews. Bedouins, Ara
bians, Europeans, etc. The city pos
sesses many charms for the traveller in
its history, buildings and street scenes.
The hotels are the finest to be found
anywhere. and the stores are of the
very best and carry fine assortment
of articles for home use, as we'll as for
those seeking desirable souvenirs.
The Sphinx and Pyramids and Mos
ques and Museums were visited and
were really marvellous in their con
struction and contained many things
that were instructive and interesting.
There are many palaces and magniti
cent buildings in Cairo, also beautiful
streets and delightful drives through
avenues Of date palms, over well-kept
roads. Our party had the pleasure of
several drives through the city and al
so to the country near by, which afford
ed us splendid opportunity of seeing
|
try watered by this historic stream
| The farms are of the finest, and are
kept in good order by system of ir-
riRation All kinds of fruit and veget-
ables were on sale in the markets and
grain was being cut and threshed at
the time of our visit
| will not attempt to describe the
many temples and Mosques of the
Egyptians which are to be found in
Cairo, nor will ] enter into an account
of personal experiences in Egypt as we
enjoyed them from time to time; but
| may say that our stay in this section
was one OF the most delightful and we
were 10th to leave as we all felt that
there were many more things to see
and places to visit. But our time was
fully covered. and we left with pleas
ant recollections for Naples, the next
point in our itinerary. Between Cairo
and Naples, time on ship board was
spent in a most profitable way in a
series Of meetings and conferences con-
cerning Sunday school work The ad-
dresses and discussions were most help
ful and stimulating. On our second
day out we experienced a very heavy
sea and many OF the passengers suffer
ed from sea sickness. Before we were
permitted 10 land at Naples, our entire
company was subjected to the most
rigid examination from the quarantine
officers. Ii was given out by the Cap
tain Of the ship that all soiled cloth
ing must be placed in pillow slip.
with our name on it.snd this was to be
placed outside of our staterooms for
examination. In some cases the aC-
cumuIations of soiled clothing for the
entire trip hal TO be shown, as some
persons did not have any washing done
and intended TO take it back home TO
be washed This order occasioned "A
great deal of discomfort aud annoy
ance for many of the passengers.
We are anticipating a very pleasant,
as we'll as busy time in Naples and
Rome II possible l will send you a
letter from there. Should be prevent
ed from doing so. on account of pres
sure OF time, will be glad to tell of
my experiences when | return.
am we'll and enjoying the trip |
send best wishes to all friends at home
Truly yours,
WM ID. LAUMASTER