VI. 
278 GRAND CAIRO. 
CHAP, for, in general, nothing can exceed either their 
ignorance or their indifference, as to literary 
intelligence. We sent him one of the jars which 
contain the Ibis, unopened; and another with 
the lid removed and the interior visible, that he 
might examine its contents, if he wished to pre- 
serve the other vessel as it was found. When 
we rose to take leave, the attendants presented 
each of us with an embroidered handkerchief, 
according: to the usual custom in the East. 
'& 
Arrival of This day the tapestry destined for the cover- 
ingforThe "^& ^^ ^^^ Caaba at Mecca arrived from Con- 
Caaba^&t atantinopk, by the way of Syria. We were 
desirous of seeing the entry into Ca:iTo of the 
cavalcade by which it is accompanied, but found 
it to be impossible, from the extreme danger 
attending it. Mr. Hammer, although in the 
Arabian dress, dared not to venture into the 
fanatical and furious mob that had assembled 
upon the outside of the city. The people ran 
from every house and corner of Cairo, to 
greet its coming; and happy was the Moslem 
who could get near enough to kiss a part of 
the trappings, or even the tail of the camel by 
which it was carried. After parading it through 
the principal streets, it was taken to the Citadel, 
to be kept until the great Caravan of Pilgrims 
