The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-11
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Very often 1 saw passing a man with two-wheeied cart drawn by a donkey and In the cart sat his wives and children Sometimes three and sometimes six wives with the children sitting complacently be- tween them
 Another sight was an Egyptian dressed in pure white silk, with blue sash about his waist, barefooted running down the street with a flag in his hand and yell ing at the top of his voice and on behind him some distance came his master an Egyptian nobleman, riding in his carriage. On inquiry 1 found that the runner was announcing the coming of this nobleman and the common folk were expected to clear the way Caravans of camels, bear ing their heavy burdens, pass along the streets and automobiles honk at them for the right of way. Donkeys by the hun dreds carrying their riders clad in the long flowing Egyption robes mix and mingle with modern carriages and blooded horses. Snake charmers, with their asps and spreading aders, block the sidewalk to give their exhibition. Sleight of hand performers and acrobats and jugglers, and Arabs with parrots and performing monkeys are seen on every hand. Street peddlers with all kinds of Egyptian wares and antiquities make one desperate In their constant refusals to look and buy Flocks of sheep and goats, led and driven by their shepherds, pass along in seem- ing oblivion of the changing trolley cars that now run the streets of. Cairo. Beg gars, blind and sticken with disease, hold out their hands in mute appeal for the pittance of d piastre Women, barefoot and with scarcely enough clothing to hide their nakedness, walk along the streets yelled to such an extent that only their eyes can be seen, the halt, the maimed, the Dlind the diseased, the sluggard all mingling with the praying of the donkeys, the moans of the overladen canels, the honks of the modern automobiles. the crack of the coachmans whip. all this and much more give only faint idea of what you may see on the streets of the only and real Cairo
 Yet, in spite of it all there is fas- cination about it that is remarkable. Days can be spent in this city with its 6o0,eoO people and at the end you leave it with regret.
 The hotels are modern and l believe are the best l have ever seen. In the season. which lasts during the winter months they are all crowded. Princes and noble men and the wealth of Europe are here King Edwards brother, the Duke Of Con naught, came to Cairo while was there Egypt as your readers know is now oc- cupied by the English. It is virtually un- der British rule. The military and mili- tary bands preceding the Khedive passed in front of our hotel on their way to the station to meet him. When they returned there was ,an ominous silence. not cheer was heard as the duke and duchess passed by in their carriage. I could not account for this but heard afterwards that the Egvptians are chafing under British rule and are anxious to be their own rulers once more.
 We went to the famous Egyptian mosques of Cairo. On reaching the en- trance we found we could not be admitted until we had put on slippers which were provided for us at the door. The true believers take off their shoes and go in barefoot. Usually they are barefooted anyway. Their religion compels them to go to the mosque five times day-not on Sunday--but every day. Before pray ing they must go to the place provided in each mosque and wash their face, hands and feet Mahommed's saying was that religion was founded on cleanliness. Their religion does not allow them to drink spirituous liquors of any kind or to eat pork This reminds me that a1ter a stay of some length in Egypt nave ohiy seen three hogs. Dogs are not aiio"eo in Cairo In the mosques only the men are allowed to enter for prayer The women may enter as visitors but are not allowed the privilege of prayer
 In one of the mosques we were shown a place in the side Of the wall where those who wished to obtain special bless ings must lick this place which was very rough, with their tongues. Bloodstains could be seen trickling down to the floor as the result of their superstition and ignorance.
 forgot to say that on ones arrival in Cairo the first thing to do is to secure dragoman. This important parsonage is nothing more nor less than an Egyp- tian guide who can speak all languages and knows where and when to take you in the city for It's various sights You have no trouble in securing one, as there