1 869 - 7 1 
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. 
Erom Cairo, on the 17th, Owen writes to his wife : 
‘ 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.’ 
