6 TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA. 



Goridge, or at Cairo from Ablitt, the latter of whom I em- 

 ployed. When laying in your supplies, arrange tliat such 

 articles as are not damaged shall be taken back on your 

 return. Good powder can be best obtained at Alexandria ; 

 shot anywhere. Having decided on your dragoman, you 

 get the contract duly drawn up at the Consulate, and there 

 signed and sealed. 



At Alexandria there is but little to be done or seen. Of 

 course the strange dresses of the East first attract attention ; 

 and then the native bazars are never-failing objects of 

 interest, composed as they are of dh-ty little shops in series 

 of the dirtiest of narrow lanes, swarming with flies and 

 children; the very ground we walk on is formed of the 

 refuse from the stalls, which, being trodden under foot instead 

 of being carried away, becomes in wet weather, which is not 

 uncommon at Alexandria, the most abominable mud, reach- 

 ing to the ankles. Leaving this scene, we next emerge upon 

 the Grand Square. This part of the town looks much more 

 European than Egyptian ; here are situated most of the 

 hotels; and here the donkey-boys, sharp-looking young 

 Arabs, pounce down upon the lately arrived European, and, 

 driving their donkeys alongside, keep up an incessant 

 chatter. " This very good donkey, this Billy Barlow." 

 " Mister, this Jim Crow — won the Derby, take you to Pompey 

 Pillar, show you every thing." " How 's your poor feet ? 

 walking bad for you." And so they continue till we go to 

 momit ; then comes a hustle, each boy endeavom-ing to 

 thrust his own donkey under us ; and the matter has gene- 

 rally to be decided by a free use of the stick. 



Now we are oft" sight-seeing. That which perhaps first 

 amuses us most is to see our long-legged friend perched 



