DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17#0275
PYRAMIDS AND PROGRESS.
ASSOUAN: TEMPORARY DAM OR SUDD AT BAB-EL-KIBIR.
Viewed from the opposite dam, June 1K99.
lingering farewell of the pretty isle ; then, as the sun got low, we took to our
stout felucca and its stalwart crew, made one last circuit of the island, and
boldly rushed the cataracts. It took all the strength of our eight oars to keep us
free from rocks, seen and hidden. There is just enough danger to give zest to
the two hours' descent of the Nile to Assouan.
The excursion by water was delightfully exhilarating, and when we landed
opposite the Isle of Elephantine, in perfectly balmy air, we felt that the refreshing
cup of tea which awaited us in the shady hotel garden was all that was required
to make our day one of the most delightful we had ever spent in Egypt.
Admiration for modern engineering prowess had, I am afraid, made us forget, at
least for a time, our regrets for the coming destruction of the island which we
loved. Some scientific notes have been since supplied by the kindness of Sir Ben-
jamin Baker and Mr. Aird, M.P., under whom the present works are being carried
out. Mr. Fitzmaurice, Major Brown, Mr. Stephens, Mr. de Courcy, and Mr. Aird
have kindly supplied me from time to time with photographs of the great
works as they progressed,
Mr. Willcocks, when in the Egyptian service some seven years ago, was the
Government officer who carried out the reconstruction of Mehemet Ali's Barrage
near Cairo. French engineers had been employed on this great undertaking for
ASSOUAN: TEMPORARY DAM OR SUDD AT BAB-EL-KIBIR.
Viewed from the opposite dam, June 1K99.
lingering farewell of the pretty isle ; then, as the sun got low, we took to our
stout felucca and its stalwart crew, made one last circuit of the island, and
boldly rushed the cataracts. It took all the strength of our eight oars to keep us
free from rocks, seen and hidden. There is just enough danger to give zest to
the two hours' descent of the Nile to Assouan.
The excursion by water was delightfully exhilarating, and when we landed
opposite the Isle of Elephantine, in perfectly balmy air, we felt that the refreshing
cup of tea which awaited us in the shady hotel garden was all that was required
to make our day one of the most delightful we had ever spent in Egypt.
Admiration for modern engineering prowess had, I am afraid, made us forget, at
least for a time, our regrets for the coming destruction of the island which we
loved. Some scientific notes have been since supplied by the kindness of Sir Ben-
jamin Baker and Mr. Aird, M.P., under whom the present works are being carried
out. Mr. Fitzmaurice, Major Brown, Mr. Stephens, Mr. de Courcy, and Mr. Aird
have kindly supplied me from time to time with photographs of the great
works as they progressed,
Mr. Willcocks, when in the Egyptian service some seven years ago, was the
Government officer who carried out the reconstruction of Mehemet Ali's Barrage
near Cairo. French engineers had been employed on this great undertaking for