DEPARTURE FROM CAIRO, SOT . 
consternation, having only two hours to pack up, to send my 
fossils home, and go to the Consul’s, whence we were to start. We 
were prohibited taking anything but a tiny carpet-bag a-piece ; 
I therefore hired a fleet dromedary for my goods (my heavy things 
had gone to the palace on arriving, and were forwarded with Lord 
Dalhousie’s). On arriving at-the Consul’s just in time, I found 
Lady Dalhousie had a dromedary provided for her extras, which 
would convey some of my baggage; and the kindness of the suite, 
especially Dr. Bell, induced the Transit officers to give us an addi- 
tional van, so that I got all takén on with us. Lord and Lady Dal- 
housie dined in their travelling garb; and I did not scruple to 
show myself at the Consul’s, where an immense crowd was assembled 
in hopes of spending an evening with the Governor-General. All 
the nobility were there, wearing splendid jewels and uniforms, 
besides many European ladies and gentlemen in their own or in 
Egyptian costumes. I never was so glad in my life as when 
I got my things all stowed away, though at the expense of relin- 
quishing my scanty collection and all but some sheets of small- — : 
sized paper for the Desert and Aden. A few minutes later 
(except the Governor-General had waited or left a van for me), 
and I should have had to go across on a dromedary, and been 
shaken to small pieces. 
Our departure by cresset and torch light was very pretty: we 
were surrounded by Orientals in all costumes, curious-looking 
Egyptian officers of every rank from the Pacha’s agents down to 
the camel and van-drivers. Lord and Lady Dalhousie mounted a 
beautiful barouche, as good as ever the Park saw, with six Arab | p 
horses and two outriders, and dashed off at full speed, the cressets — — 
and torches speeding on before through the marrow streets, 
whipping everybody and everything in the way. The vans, in 
which we all followed, held four a-piece: they resemble exactly 
short Ommibuses or long Minibuses, but have only two wheels 
with broad tires, and four horses each. A cad stands on the 
step behind: an Egyptian drives at a furious gallop, equipped 
with a red Fez cap and long whip. In the first van were Dr. Bell 
and myself with my luggage, so arranged that we could lie along. 
