1869-71 
MUST RETURN IN MARCH 
201 
iiig clothes with dust shaken out), and then on 
to the Prince’s boat to dinner. The Princess 
had a curiosity for me — a mummy foot. After 
dinner and chibouks, we proceeded to Mustapha’s 
house in the Luxor Temple, and there beheld the 
“ physiological curiosity ” (tell it not in Gath !) — 
the dancing girls. One of these ladies, in richly- 
coloured gown, with old ornaments and coins, 
seemed like one of the old frescoes which had 
stepped out of the wall of her tomb for an hour 
or so ; the attitudes were exactly those which are 
often reproduced on the walls. 
‘ I was hard pressed to accompany the royal 
party to the Cataracts, but had to explain reasons 
for returning to the Museum and work, as soon 
in March as might be. 
‘ Next day the party went through “ the Valley 
of the Shadow.” We were nearing a bank where a 
practicable road was narrowing, when Fowler said ; 
“More to the left. Professor.” Turning round, 
I saw the Princess on her white donkey and the 
rest of the party which had overtaken us. Her 
Royal Highness said : “Where were you last night, 
Professor ? Oh, I know,” lifting up a finger. 
“ Then I shall write to Mrs. Owen and tell her of 
your doings.” Lunch was laid out in the shade of 
the corridors and massive columns of the Memno- 
nium. . . . After lunch the Admiral got to fencing 
with Abdul Kader Bey with palm sticks, to our 
great amusement. I took the Princess and Mrs, 
