The American in Egypt, with rambles through Arabia Petræa and the Holy Land during the year 1839 and 1840.

Front matter

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Chapter I. Pagk

Voyage from Athens to Alexandria. — The Island of Syra.— His Reverence the Bishop. — Views of Naxos, Paros, Candia, and the Mountains of Judea. ....... 1

CHAPTER n.

First glimpse of Alexandria. — View hy Moonlight. — Our Arrival. — Turkish and Egyptian Fleets. — Imaginary Plagues of Egypt. — Process of landing, and the Manner of taking care of the Baggage. — The Inhabitants ; their Mode of Conveyance. — Plan of keeping off Intruders, as practised in the East. — Ladies in Masks, and Peasants in Rags. — Novel Mode of sweeping the Streets. — The use of Camels and Donkeys. — Water-carriers and City-criers. — First Impressions. ...... 8

Chapter III

The principal Hotel in Alexandria. — Rain and Sunshine. — A Ride before Dinner. — Invitation to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Firkins. — Introduction to the "Wrinklebottoms, Messrs. O'Statten, Sneezebiter, O'Screensbury, and other distinguished Personages. — Genealogy of the Humbug Family. — An Evening Circle. — A Snake Story. — An agreeable Surprise. 27

Chapter IV

Some of the Plagues of Egypt, and a touch of the Night-mare. — Captain Underdone, and his taste for Snakes, Lizards, Scorpions, and otherReptiles.— House-snakes.— Snake-charmers and Snake-eaters of the East. — Sacred Reptiles of Egypt. — Opinions of Diodorus, Plutarch, Wilkinson, and Champollion, — Asp-formed Crowns of the ancient Kings and Queens of Egypt. — Asp-headed

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CONTENTS.

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Deities. — The Statues of Isis crowned with Asps. — Dancing- Snakes of India. — ^Probable Cause of Cleopatra's Choice to die by the venomous Sting of the Asp. 40

Chapter V

A new Acquaintance. — Introduction to Nebby Daood. — Caution against making acquaintance with the Humbug Family in Egypt. — Mrs. Firkins and the Out-runners of the East. — A Ride to the Baths of Cleopatra and the Catacombs. — An Egyptian Governor and his Footmen. — Almost a Disaster. — The Storehouses of the Pacha. — Arabs at Dinner. — Cause of the Egyptian Ophthalmia. — Manner of Eating in the East. — Deference observed toward the Master of the House. — Turkish Manner of Carving. — Mode of Cooking in Egypt. — Onions and Garlic. — Marks of Civility shown to Guests. — Beverage of the Egyptians. — Water of the Nile.—rContributions of the Pacha to the Grand Sultan of Turkey. — Water-carriers at the Tombs of the Saints. — ^Peasant-women and their Trinkets. — Wind-mills, and the way the Arabs carry Corn to Mill. — Women cleaning the Streets with their Hands. — Dog Population, and their Manners and Customs 58