THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 181 



singing, mingled with the beating of tambourines and 

 castanets. Paolini Bey came to fetch me on the part 

 of the Yiceroy, who had allowed a troop of almees 

 (dancing girls) to come and perform. He gave me a 

 place on his divan, the alme'es crouching in a circle 

 upon the carpet. One of them was richly attired, and 

 had, so the Yiceroy informed me, more than 400 

 worth of embroidery and jewellery upon her. They 

 recommenced singing, and every now and then the 

 Kaouadji, or chief coffee man, gently struck the singers 

 upon the cheek, as you might a child, and made them 

 swallow sweets and syrups. After the singing was 

 over two of the almees got up, and standing opposite 

 to each other, like Spanish ballerinas, began to execute 

 their dances. Two others followed, after which the 

 whole troop filed past the Khedive, and respectfully 

 kissing his feet, were dismissed." 



" November 19, 1854. 



" We start at seven and halt at nine. The Yiceroy 

 quits his horse for the carriage, so we go on ahead 

 with Halim Pasha, reaching at noon a regular Egypt- 

 ian village, called Yahoudie. We pass over a dyke 

 and reach a small island, situated in the midst of a 

 cultivated and partially irrigated plain, where we 

 find a delightful shady spot, with sycamores, willows, 

 and mulberry trees, forming a belt of verdure around 

 a small lake. This oasis presents a charming contrast 

 with the sandy hillocks which we have just come over, 



