DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0164
128 OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
some Coptic monasteries. Not far off a large canal is
crossed by a dyke supported on arches, (which appear to
have been originally of Roman construction), and after-
wards the beds of several water-courses that have been
cut round the brow of the desert plain, upon which the
pyramid of Howara is built.6 The village itself is incon-
siderable, and stands on a bank between the road, and the
water. About seven miles further the road turns to the
right, on the western bank of the Bahr Yousef, and, having
passed a magazine, and an unfinished palace belonging to
the Pacha, enters Medinet El Faioum by a bridge built
over clear and sparkling streams, that no doubt flow from
the above-mentioned canal. The journey from Benisouef
occupied about seven hours. The ruins of Antinoe, the
antient capital, are situated on a high range of hills, at
some distance to the north of Medinet, which, in con-
sequence of an abundant supply of water, is surrounded
by luxuriant vegetation, and lofty trees. It is also
adorned with handsome minarets, contains several good
houses, and a well-supplied bazar, and is better built than
the generality of Arab towns. On approaching it over the
bridge, it brought to my recollection Windsor, and Eton,
without possessing any exact resemblance to either of
these places. After passing through a number of winding
streets, I arrived at the residence of Ali Dud, the Madyr.
He was not in his house, but in a small square apartment
on a level with, and on the opposite side of the street.
The room, which appeared to be his hall of audience,
was crowded with Coptic secretaries, Turks, and Arabs of
6 The pyramids of Howara and of Illahoon have been already de-
scribed. See pages 8 and 9.
some Coptic monasteries. Not far off a large canal is
crossed by a dyke supported on arches, (which appear to
have been originally of Roman construction), and after-
wards the beds of several water-courses that have been
cut round the brow of the desert plain, upon which the
pyramid of Howara is built.6 The village itself is incon-
siderable, and stands on a bank between the road, and the
water. About seven miles further the road turns to the
right, on the western bank of the Bahr Yousef, and, having
passed a magazine, and an unfinished palace belonging to
the Pacha, enters Medinet El Faioum by a bridge built
over clear and sparkling streams, that no doubt flow from
the above-mentioned canal. The journey from Benisouef
occupied about seven hours. The ruins of Antinoe, the
antient capital, are situated on a high range of hills, at
some distance to the north of Medinet, which, in con-
sequence of an abundant supply of water, is surrounded
by luxuriant vegetation, and lofty trees. It is also
adorned with handsome minarets, contains several good
houses, and a well-supplied bazar, and is better built than
the generality of Arab towns. On approaching it over the
bridge, it brought to my recollection Windsor, and Eton,
without possessing any exact resemblance to either of
these places. After passing through a number of winding
streets, I arrived at the residence of Ali Dud, the Madyr.
He was not in his house, but in a small square apartment
on a level with, and on the opposite side of the street.
The room, which appeared to be his hall of audience,
was crowded with Coptic secretaries, Turks, and Arabs of
6 The pyramids of Howara and of Illahoon have been already de-
scribed. See pages 8 and 9.