The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-14
Cairo, Egypt Dec. 6. 1909.

terest" 10 Cairo. but | am not half
through" as yet with the sights In
this vicinity. IL Will be advisable to
begin at once
Cairo is even more modern than
Alexandria. The streets are broad
and fairly well kept, the hotels are
magnificent. English-speaR1ng tour
lists are to be found everywhere and
the up-to-dete comforts afforded trav-
elers ara equal 10 those Of almost
any European city No one neglects
TO charge a good round price for all
these things, but an ounce or two OF
everyday common sense will carry
one through quite reasonably. Be
sides. the weather is so fine, every
one is so good-natured and you're
having such a delightful time. that
somehow an outrageous charge Is
more easily paid than fused over.
cairo's Citadel.
Usually the first thing TO attract a
strangers attention In Cairo is the
Citadel. n great medieval fortress
overlooking the city, constructed in
the 12th century by Saladin and
which was later restored by that ORR
entail Napolean Mehemet All. 1t re-
minds one Of the Acropolis at Athens
and contains within It's walls pal
ace. several mosques, prisons. bar.
racks, an arsenal. hospital. etc Il
was within the central walled en-
trance way that Sultan Mehemet All
accomplished bis terrible massacre Of
the Mameluke Beys In 1911 and one
ia shown the ''verv spot" from
whence Emin Bey made his legendary
leap from the batuements TO escape
the slaughter The thrilling nara
dve is spoiled by the known fact that
Bmin wisely declined the royal invi.
tAtion and thus escaped the tragic
! fate OF HE fellows.
Holy Carpet Caravan.
] was fortunate enough 10 be here
on the day OF the departure Of the
Holy Carpet Caravan for Mecca-the
grand fete OF tho Egyptian year-par
bcularly interesting this year owing
to the Kbcdive accompanying the
caravan In person
The great plaza in front of the ci-
tadeI was lined with soldiers. auto
mobiles and swell turnouts, while the
diverEing streets, avenues and alleys
In every direction as well as the
bousetops, hillsides and walls were
black with native spectators ] new
er saw such packing of humanity
In my life until ] went out to Abba
siya a few hours later
The carpet" is sort of embroid-
cred canopy made In the form Of a
litter. which Is born by a richly ca
parisoned camel at the head Of the
procession OF pilgrims. Expert weav-
crs from Mecca consumed more than
half a year in making It and the
Khcdivc is said 10 have spent some
$4,000 in It's manufacture.
Great Ceremony,
The ceremony In front OF the cita-
del j cannot describe here, only TO
say that they involved The local mill
tary forces OF Egypt and the Eng
lish army of occupation. including
mounted lancers.~ infantry cavalry,
mountain. field and gattling gun bat,
teries, etc, together with thundcrous
salutcs and much music by various
bands. one OF which was a mounted
organization The ceremony ended by
the Khedive leading the sacred camel
around the square In person, after
which the procession Of pilgrims
started In a round about way for
Abbasiya on the edge OF the desert
where a halt would be made of 81
hours before the final departure for
Arabia.
Thousands Had Gathered.
BY taking a cab across the city, 7
thought ! would reach the encamp,
ment before the crowds arrived. Per
hals 1 escaped a hundred thousand
or so but III | did their absence was
not noticeable IN the thousands al
ready gathered on the sands OF Alb
basiy6 In the center OF vast pa.
rade ground. kept clear by soldiers
were the holy tent and n score or
more OF lesser importance. The
crowds assembled In every direction
resembled a great oriental fair with
here and there entertainers OF a.
fereut sortS-jugglers, Snake-charm
ers. fortunc-tellcrs. gamblers. aero
bats, dancers musicians and vendors
Of drinking water. food, sweets and
trinkets.
II was three hours before the car
pet and pilgrims arrived and a black
native soldier had taken me through
the lines 10 the vicinity OF the cen,
tral tent where I could sit Ia a bit
OF shade. Finally the cavalry band
and mounted laDcers arrived and then
the camel With the carpet or NAH
NAL as il is called
Religious Reverence
slX-foot canvas barrier had been
erected in q small circle and the
MAMMAL. having been lifted from the
camel's back, was deposited with due
ceremony within the enclosure
strong guard Of soldiers being station
cd around IT,
II rs dif1cult 10 understand or even
realize the religious reverence with
which this bit OF costly tapestry is
regarded oy the superStitious natives.
to kiss which or handle they will DEFY
almost anything or anybody.
Hardly had the precious object been
deposited within the barrier when
pandemonium broke loose from every
side One devout mother had crept
forward and had extended her infant
40 that the mite could touch the ia.
bric with It's fingers and the act had
suddenly imbucd the spectators with
a fanatic determination to do like
wise In an instant The surprised
soldiers were overwhelmed and the
food oil humanity swept on to the
enclosure. Those who could no, reach
the tapestry with their lips.
clawed frantically over the heads
OF the more fortunate, and
touching the draperies with the hand
would then kiss the member repeat
edly, or pass 1t over the face In de-
vout ecstacy The MAMMAL was really