404 THE HOUSES AND VICINITY OF KHARTOOM. 
is cut in March, and the grain is large and rich in 
colour. No pleasant walks had been made in the 
neighbourhood ; the few groves of date-palms, afford- 
ing the only shade that existed, are generally walled 
round ; and if you proceed into the country, with one 
exception there is nothing but a desert of sand. This 
exception is a " cottage in the wood/' belonging to M. 
Bartolemy. It had been surrounded by a belt of the 
fast-growing yellow-blossomed Parkinsonia aculeata 
L., and, when within the grounds, the flowers and 
vegetation looked so green and fresh, that one 
might imagine he had been transported to a quiet 
retreat at home. The other European residents lived 
in the town. Their houses, generally of one storey, 
are large flat-roofed structures of mud and brick, sur- 
rounded by walls, having a single gateway guarded 
by a doorkeeper. They reminded me of the serais, or 
stations made for travellers upon the grand trunk-road 
of India. In their courtyards tame birds or antelope 
walked ; wild animals lay chained ; camels, donkeys, 
cattle, goats, or horses stood about ; lumber and store 
rooms filled the space ; and a corner perhaps was de- 
voted to a shady retreat under the vine. Each con- 
sulate — and there were French, Austrian, American, 
and British — at Khartooni had its elliptical signboard 
over the main entrance. The principal room of the 
house is the hall; there business is transacted, and 
visitors are received in the morning, which is entirely 
devoted to calling, smoking, and drinking coffee. It 
has been mentioned that we chose to reside under the 
British flag, although at that time the consul was ab- 
sent at Gonclokoro. The attentions we received from 
the various gentlemen residents were such as are per- 
