LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



The town of Kassala, though the capital of the Soudan 

 country and the great military centre of this portion of 

 the dominions of Egypt, can be described in a few words, 

 for it almost entirely consists of low houses, made of 

 bricks baked by the sun, or of dried mud for the richer 

 community, and of dhurra-stalks or palm-leaves for the 

 poorer, and is surrounded by a fortified wall made of 

 sun-dried bricks, and outside this by a moat. After 

 passing through the chief gate of entrance, which is 

 guarded by soldiers, a wide street crowded with Arabs 

 buying and selling at the minute stores, consisting chiefly 

 of grain and calico fabrics of European manufacture, 

 one soon arrives at an open space, round which are 

 congregated the few buildings of any importance, such 

 as the mosque, palace, and prison, as well as two or three 



