ALBERTS SHOCK ON INSPECTING HIS FACE. 301 



question of his remaining here a little while longer for 

 the following steamer of May 30, but it is the universal 

 opinion both of ourselves and the European inhabitants 

 that it would be better for him not to risk exposure to 

 the rapidly approaching rains, when the climate becomes 

 very unhealthy. Arkwright was caught by them last 

 May a few days before reaching Souakim, and was in a 

 great plight for even that short time. 



M. Voight, the chief of the telegraph-office, has 

 announced to us the victory of Oxford over Cambridge, 

 on the Thames, and he has lent us three ' Illustrated 

 London News ' of March ; so, thanks to that invaluable 

 paper to the traveller, we shall be able to learn most of 

 the home news of that month. 



Albert asked for a looking-glass to-day, and after 

 carefully inspecting his dreadfully altered face and 

 bloodshot eyes, all he said was, ' My poor teeth, my poor 

 teeth quite spoilt ! ' So whilst his remark brought to light 

 a vanity, it also gave some proof of his being more 

 hopeful of recovery. His condition is rather curious, and 

 though he is undoubtedly very weak, he looks as if he 

 might rouse hiniself a little if he would only be less 

 despondent, and the more notice there is taken of him 

 the worse he is. I actually succeeded in making him 

 laugh by telling him that the best treatment for him 

 would be a good dose of koorbatch on the back. 



April 24. The night has come, and still we are in 



