200 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. VII. 
taken place with the Sahara dry desert and its 
salt, &c. &c., and an hour and a half was spent in 
a very entertaining way. Before leaving the 
saloon the Prince put on my broad-brimmed 
wide-awake hat. People don’t know the size of 
my head, till they try on my hat ! ’ 
On February i6, Owen visited Thebes with 
the Royal party, made a few pen-and-ink sketches, 
and wrote a long description. They then pro- 
ceeded to Karnac and luncheon. ‘ During luncheon 
I took off my wide-awake for coolness, when 
H.R.H. remarked: “Professor, I see you have 
reserved your visit to this palace in order to 
assume the purple. Some one else chimed in : 
The Professor has not lost the grace of blushing, 
but it is at the top of his head.” The Princess 
pointed out the crimson silk lining in the crown 
of my hat. The heat of the ride and the clamber 
among the glories of Karnac had transferred 
that rosy tint to the top of my pate! Before 
we parted the Prince remarked that he had a 
special “physiological curiosity” to show me to- 
morrow. . . . 
‘ “ P'or symmetry of architecture and elegance of 
sculpture, the Memnonium may vie with any other 
Egyptian monument. Truly so. Sir Gardner, 
and much obliged for the rest of your account, 
for I am getting rather tired, and have had enough 
sight-seeing for to-day. . , . After returning to 
our vessels, I made what toilette I could (morn- 
