DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0077
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
61
inquire when the Madyr would be at Mabietta, and also
to attend as dragoman, when I called upon him, as it was
necessary for me to make an application respecting the
people employed at the Pyramids.
July 21st.
Reis, 11. Men, 136. Children, 109.
The same works were repeated.
In consequence of Selim's inquiries, I went to Mabietta
at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Madyr was enter-
taining several Turks of distinction, who had arrived in
the morning with the intention (as it was their Sunday, or
Festa) of remaining till the next day. They wore white
nizam dresses, and were seated on a divan. A band of
Turkish musicians were performing; and I was told, that
dancers, male or female, were to be afterwards introduced.
Water and fruits were laid out upon a table, and ceffee,
and small glasses of a very strong spirit, flavoured with
aniseed, cinnamon, and other stimulants and spices, were
frequently handed round, and appeared already to have
had a due effect upon some of the party—they were
all, indeed, in great good humour, and seemed determined
to enjoy themselves. I was also told, that when they
were disposed to sleep, they were partially undressed, and
passed the night on the divan in this room, or on that in
another apartment, wrapped up in coverlids — a plan
Which does not exactly coincide with our ideas of com-
fort. The Madyr attended to me with much civility,
and desired that I would put down my wishes in writing.
I here again felt the want of a proper dragoman, and
could not venture upon any compliments, but confined
61
inquire when the Madyr would be at Mabietta, and also
to attend as dragoman, when I called upon him, as it was
necessary for me to make an application respecting the
people employed at the Pyramids.
July 21st.
Reis, 11. Men, 136. Children, 109.
The same works were repeated.
In consequence of Selim's inquiries, I went to Mabietta
at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Madyr was enter-
taining several Turks of distinction, who had arrived in
the morning with the intention (as it was their Sunday, or
Festa) of remaining till the next day. They wore white
nizam dresses, and were seated on a divan. A band of
Turkish musicians were performing; and I was told, that
dancers, male or female, were to be afterwards introduced.
Water and fruits were laid out upon a table, and ceffee,
and small glasses of a very strong spirit, flavoured with
aniseed, cinnamon, and other stimulants and spices, were
frequently handed round, and appeared already to have
had a due effect upon some of the party—they were
all, indeed, in great good humour, and seemed determined
to enjoy themselves. I was also told, that when they
were disposed to sleep, they were partially undressed, and
passed the night on the divan in this room, or on that in
another apartment, wrapped up in coverlids — a plan
Which does not exactly coincide with our ideas of com-
fort. The Madyr attended to me with much civility,
and desired that I would put down my wishes in writing.
I here again felt the want of a proper dragoman, and
could not venture upon any compliments, but confined