1869-71 
FIRST VISIT TO EGYPT 
91 
Alexandria on the 9th. . . . The Prince of 
Wales, Duke of Sutherland, and their suite join 
us at Cairo. ... It is impossible to imagine 
more favourable conditions for enjoying what I 
have long cherished — a desire to see that won- 
derful old historical country.’ 
Owen kept an interesting record of all his 
experiences during his Egyptian tour. These 
notes, despatched at intervals to his wife on this 
and his subsequent visits to Egypt, would of 
themselves easily fill a volume ; but only a few 
extracts of general interest are given here. 
‘ On board the “ Nyanza,”’ he writes (Janu- 
ary ii), ‘ were the Bishop of Bombay (Dr. Dou- 
glas) and His Excellency Nubar Pacha, who 
promised me a practised fisherman for the Nile 
and salt lakes. . . . The steamer lay to about 
forty miles from Alexandria, waiting till daylight 
to be piloted through the intricate passages 
Then we saw that all the Egyptian ships were 
dressed out in holiday colours, and as we came 
among them to the anchorage a salute was fired 
from the fort and answered by the men-o’-war. 
It was a most unexpected gala. Some said it 
Was for the arrival of Nubar Pacha, some for the 
Bishop, others for the Professor. One rationalist 
of the party suggested that with the new moon 
the feast of Rhamadan ended this year and the 
feast of Beiram began. And so it was. 
‘ After landing, Nubar invited Mr. Fowler, Sir 
