and Horticulture hi Egypt. GB5 



" Associated Labour. — Sometimes labour is divided among small bodies of 

 labourers ; and I observed in Upper Egypt an ingenious device for the equal 

 distribution of their toil. Where a certain number of fellahs had to divide 

 the work in the fields with an equal number engaged in raising water by the 

 shadoof, they had made a primitive sort of sundial by sticking a piece of 

 wood into the earth, and marking the hours at appropriate distances by bits 

 of chalk. When the shadow reached the given spot, the field labourers took 

 the part of the irrigators, and so interchanged their employment. I inquired 

 how they settled this when there was no sunshine, and they said they made 

 a small hole in an earthen vessel, which they filled with water, and when it 

 was run out they shifted their work, filling the vessel again to measure the 

 labour of the new comers." 



Commission of Ornament in Alexandria. — A correspondent 

 in our. volume for 1835 (p. 280.) has suggested the idea of a 

 society for promoting the improvement of the public taste in 

 architectural and rural scenery ; and we have shown in the same 

 volume (p. 283,) that such a society exists at Munich, where 

 more attention is paid to public convenience and ornament than 

 in any other country in Europe, not even excepting France. We 

 were not, however, prepared to meet with an establishment of 

 this kind in Egypt. 



" Coimmssion of Ornament in Alexandria. — Among the establishments which 

 show the gradual progress of improvement in Egypt, I cannot avoid mention- 

 ing the Commission of Ornament in Alexandria, instituted for promoting the 

 cleanliness, healthfulness, and beauty of that important place. I had an 

 opportunity of examining the proceedings of the board since its establish- 

 ment. It has done much for the well-being of Alexandria, by providing for 

 a freer circulation in the streets, for the ventilation of houses, and generally 

 by the supervision of all buildings erected or proposed. No new building 

 can be constructed without the approval of the board, which is authorised to 

 order the removal of all nuisances affecting the public health. The British 

 consul-general is the permanent president of the commission. It consists of 

 some of the Egyptian authorities, with a greater number of Europeans. There 

 is a civil engineer who is especially attached to it, and the board has been 

 instrumental in introducing many improvements and getting rid of many 

 nuisances, thus adding much to the salubrity of the place. It has received on 

 all occasions the cordial support of the government. The viceroy himself, 

 and all the officers of the government, submit to its ordinances." 



" Among the useful suggestions which I understand have emanated from 

 this commission, one has been the removal of all the cemeteries to without 

 the walls of Alexandria, The Mussulmans have now their burial ground ; 

 and each Christian sect, Copts and Greeks, Armenians and Catholics, and 

 Protestants, as well as Jews, have each a separate resting-place for their dead, 

 at some distance from the town." 



Perhaps the most interesting part of the whole Report is that 

 which relates to education. It occupies above twenty pages, 

 and is full of the most gratifying details. There are primary 

 schools to be spread in all the provinces, according to the popu- 

 lation ; the system of instruction is to be the same in all, and 

 all children are to be compelled to undergo it. But for this, 

 and various other interesting subjects of general improvement, 

 we must refer to the Report itself. 



