New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-14

phOtOgraVUre. DID. 20. James POtL D
For the purpose for which it was written NJ.
Cummings book could scarcely be improved Il
is intended solely for use by visitors to Egypt
who are planning to make the trip up the y
by steamer TO Wady Halfa. although it would.
of course. be equally valuable to the smaller con-
tingent who prefer TO travel by dahabiyeh Y
is not by any means guidebook. but is rather.
guide to a guidebook. check on and COR
rector of the dragonan. sort of SatcheI '-ucr-
sonaI conductor" The author assumes thai the
tourist Will arrive in Cairo supplied with q e-jl.-
beck and Will avail himself of the services If "a
dragoman; if he travels by steamer, he viii fol
an excellent dragoman accompanying the party
on each trip. Yet if he trusts himself unreserE-
eddy TO these aids, admirable as they both are.
1t is MIR. Cummings conviction that the yisj,o-
will be likely 70 miss much OF the broad effect
and real significance of the ruins OF ancient
Egypt and will. on the other hand, he confuse-
by a mass of detail unnecessary to acquire. diff
cult 10 assimilate and impossible to carry away
He has himself made the Nile trip six times ana
it is out of this wide experience that lie VENT
ures advise those who are undertake. me
excursion for the first time.
The scheme of the volume is absolutely p-act.-
cal After visit 10 the Pyramids. which VII
be made from Cairo comfortably. if incon-r--
ously. by trolley. the author describes IN" y'y-
age up the river and return as it is ae-Ia.iy
conducted on one Of the regular tourist steam
ers He tells what will be seen. and how r. v.I
be shown and explained by the dragOmaE. and
then he suggests variations from the cut and
dried programme that can readily be made. ty
means of which the traveller Will get bigger.
more comprehensive idea OF the nlonUmer-s z
the PharaohS and of the former life. are. i1-
dUstry and power of Egypt. to which these ven
cradle temples, tonbs. palaces and other sc;c O.
ures are the sgnposts. The last third OF tha vol
ume is devoted TO chapters on the hiS-or- II
Egypt. its religion and gods. Egypt OF today,
the Sudan. and the river. winding up with few
pages of practical advice to the Nile tourist
The principle which Mr.. Dunning follows
throughout the volume is that one should see
the best and most important things carefully
and leisurely. leaving minor things 70 the l-s-
or. if necessary. leaving them out entirely.
Raedeker says Travellers who are not pressed
cult OF the pyramid plateau" My advice is If y'u
make shorter trip 10 countries nearer hone I
Know mat cruises are orS.nlzed which allot ''a
ample time Any one who can seriously con-
only excuse that a sane man has for takir-
trip IS when his pleasure I've cannot call ir resp
land to another. by the mere delight OF motto
The authors advice as to the use of the e..i--
book is excellent. 1t should. he says. be referred
10 both before and after an excursion ~ enc
first reading the traveller should note dow The
things he wishes especially TO notice. Then --
some convenient time afterward, the book should
be read again 70 fix what has been seen firmly IN
the memory. But while actually az the temple
or tomb use your time and your eyes in seeirs l.
For you have come a long journey TO see IL. and
now is the time to do The book viii remain
IN your possession. and can be read even at-er
your return TO your home"
Next after the wonderful remains OF f. s
ancient greatness. what VIII make the most ..-5c-
ing impression upon the stranger is the constant
demand for bakshiSh-- II IS Il Nuisance. but
apparently an unavoidable one and not Without
its advantages, according to the author Vho
certainly has had ample opportunities to observe
the workings of the system, which, he argues.
should not be condemned simply BEGAN il IS
different from our own methods. Take I'll. Use
of the donkey boys. Most travellers b. -gr-s.
fail to understand the matter. and ina2g.a chat
in demanding bakshish the boys are q u
seeking gratuity- AS matter of fl,t he
dragoman pays only for the donkeys. uoJ for
the boys He says:
The plan has its advantages. II he the hoyl
were paid L fixed sum whether he behaved Vel! *