1869-71 SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT 207 



year only enough to clear the ground, but the 

 main matter is now safe and much better than I 

 expected.' 



In November 1870 Owen made his second 

 journey to Egypt. On this occasion he accom- 

 panied Mr. McClean, M.P., and his family. It 

 was hoped that the dryness and warmth of the 

 climate would benefit his health. The expedition 

 at least enabled him to escape two of the most 

 trying months in England. * December and 

 January,' he tells his sister on the eve of starting 

 for the East, ' passed in the climate of the Nile will 

 strengthen my lungs for the rest of the winter.' 



He kept a journal as heretofore, but, as he 

 travelled over much the same ground as in 1869, 

 a few brief notices only need be given. On De- 

 cember 10 the party arrived at Alexandria. 

 From Cairo, on the 17th, Owen writes to his wife : 

 1 To-day I took the opportunity of renewing my 

 acquaintance with worthy old Hekekiah Bey, and 

 had a chat with him and his wife — a nice old lady. 

 Nothing in Cairo has changed. I feel like an 

 old inhabitant. Indeed, the number of greetings 

 that met me at the station was more like a return 

 home than getting out upon so far-away a rail- 

 road station.' 



Christmas Day was spent at Thebes. ' Much 

 sand has again accumulated round the base of 

 our obelisk, which the Prince had cleared out in 

 March 1869.' 



