A TRIP TO EGYPT. 
77 
The Sakieh, 
which is a water-mill of cogged wheels turned by a buffalo, or per¬ 
chance a camel, each revolution of the wheel working up a series 
of earthen pitchers, which empty themselves into a trough or pool. 
The primitive, quaint-looking plough is pulled by a yoke of 
buffaloes, or sometimes by a camel. 
Near to Tookli we had our first view of the Libvan desert, like 
a brown line on the horizon, soon after followed by our first peep 
of the great Pyramids of Gizeh, of which we had thought and 
heard from our childhood upwards. 
Cairo. 
The railway landed us on the outskirts of Cairo, and we had a 
long drive to the centre of the great city of Egypt, which is some¬ 
times aptly called the “ Queen of Cities.” It is situated on the 
east bank of the Nile, and contains a population of about 
875,009, composed of a comical medley of Oriental and European 
residents of a great variety of colour, manner, and dress. There 
are several beautiful hotels in the city, but Shepheard’s Hotel 
stands out in pre-eminence, not only having a world-wide reputation, 
but possessing all the comforts and luxuries that modern civilisa¬ 
tion can supply. While we were there, usually some 400 sat down 
to dinner each evening, and it forms the very centre of the political 
and civil life of the city. 
The Esbekeeyah 
is an open space in the very centre of the city. It contains a large 
garden surrounded by a fine avenue of trees, and containing many 
very interesting plants and trees in a fine state of cultivation, 
ornamented with fountains and small lakes, and a band plays in the 
evenings. 
The Mooskee 
is the business street of Cairo, and runs through the very heart of 
the city. In some parts it is very narrow, and the buildings very 
irregular. Branching from it, right and left, are numerous 
bazaars, which are among the chief curiosities of Cairo. There are 
a great number of fountains—the number is said to be over three 
hundred—some with drinking places for cattle. 
April, 1893. 
