DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0069
40
OPERATIONS CARRIED OX AT GIZEH.
cattle, birds, and other figures, are executed in a mas-
terly style. Many tombs are said to be in the adjacent
rocks.
Derr is situated advantageously in a grove of palm-
trees on the eastern bank, which is cultivated to a con-
siderable extent: it is supported chiefly by the slave-
trade, and is tolerably populous.
The house of Hassan Catchief, the Nubian mutzel-
lum, looks extremely well from the river. The people
seem, upon the whole, in a better condition than those
in Egypt; but their welfare depends entirely upon the
conduct of the Catchief, who has almost unlimited power.
The contrast of extreme fertility with the yellow sands
of the desert is at this place very striking. On the oppo-
site shore are several ruins, apparently Roman.
17th.— Thermometer 70°. I arrived at Ibrim, a
town built upon some high cliffs, that extend for some
distance along the margin of the road. Not far to
the northward is an extensive burial-ground, held in
great estimation by the natives, probably on account
of some antient tradition. It contains, amongst other
tombs, those of the Mamelukes who fell some years
ago in a great battle with the Pacha. The remains
of Roman buildings are to be seen in the citadel, and
some remarkable tombs have been excavated in the cliffs,
which will be afterwards described. This part of the
country is called Wadi Guanee. The eastern bank of the
river is fertile; but on the western there are no signs of
cultivation. Several antient tombs have been discovered
near the mountains of Tosco, at some distance inland.
At Aboufertig I saw a man paddle himself across the
OPERATIONS CARRIED OX AT GIZEH.
cattle, birds, and other figures, are executed in a mas-
terly style. Many tombs are said to be in the adjacent
rocks.
Derr is situated advantageously in a grove of palm-
trees on the eastern bank, which is cultivated to a con-
siderable extent: it is supported chiefly by the slave-
trade, and is tolerably populous.
The house of Hassan Catchief, the Nubian mutzel-
lum, looks extremely well from the river. The people
seem, upon the whole, in a better condition than those
in Egypt; but their welfare depends entirely upon the
conduct of the Catchief, who has almost unlimited power.
The contrast of extreme fertility with the yellow sands
of the desert is at this place very striking. On the oppo-
site shore are several ruins, apparently Roman.
17th.— Thermometer 70°. I arrived at Ibrim, a
town built upon some high cliffs, that extend for some
distance along the margin of the road. Not far to
the northward is an extensive burial-ground, held in
great estimation by the natives, probably on account
of some antient tradition. It contains, amongst other
tombs, those of the Mamelukes who fell some years
ago in a great battle with the Pacha. The remains
of Roman buildings are to be seen in the citadel, and
some remarkable tombs have been excavated in the cliffs,
which will be afterwards described. This part of the
country is called Wadi Guanee. The eastern bank of the
river is fertile; but on the western there are no signs of
cultivation. Several antient tombs have been discovered
near the mountains of Tosco, at some distance inland.
At Aboufertig I saw a man paddle himself across the