DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11715#0029
ALEXANDRIA TO CAIRO.
the sons of Jacob pastured their flocks and herds, we have abundant opportunities for
observing the habits of the people. A wide expanse of verdure stretches to the very
verge of the horizon. Groups of fellaheen, or peasantry, are seen sitting under the
shadow of a palm grove, or lounging by the wayside, utterly indifferent to the intense
heat, which makes the atmosphere quiver like the mouth of a furnace. Veiled women,
clad only in a blue cotton skirt, come down to the river to fill their water-jars, and
then, poising them on their heads, walk away with a firm, graceful step. A
family pass along the road; the husband, a big, stalwart fellow, rides a donkey ;
side ; a group of brown naked children run
alongside the train holding out their hands and crying for backsheesh, and in this cry
their elders join them whenever they have an opportunity. Notwithstanding this
universal begging, I saw little or no actual destitution in Egypt. The wants of the
peasant are so few, and the soil is so productive, and so easily cultivated, that every
body, even the very poorest, seems to be well fed. Fuel costs nothing ; and drink,
the curse of European countries, is unknown. A draught of Nile water, a handful of
lentils, or a piece of bread, made like a pancake, and tough as wash-leather, are all
the sons of Jacob pastured their flocks and herds, we have abundant opportunities for
observing the habits of the people. A wide expanse of verdure stretches to the very
verge of the horizon. Groups of fellaheen, or peasantry, are seen sitting under the
shadow of a palm grove, or lounging by the wayside, utterly indifferent to the intense
heat, which makes the atmosphere quiver like the mouth of a furnace. Veiled women,
clad only in a blue cotton skirt, come down to the river to fill their water-jars, and
then, poising them on their heads, walk away with a firm, graceful step. A
family pass along the road; the husband, a big, stalwart fellow, rides a donkey ;
side ; a group of brown naked children run
alongside the train holding out their hands and crying for backsheesh, and in this cry
their elders join them whenever they have an opportunity. Notwithstanding this
universal begging, I saw little or no actual destitution in Egypt. The wants of the
peasant are so few, and the soil is so productive, and so easily cultivated, that every
body, even the very poorest, seems to be well fed. Fuel costs nothing ; and drink,
the curse of European countries, is unknown. A draught of Nile water, a handful of
lentils, or a piece of bread, made like a pancake, and tough as wash-leather, are all