I was so pleased to see two Mr. Watsons—­your opposite neighbours—­who said they saw you every morning go down the street—­ojala! that I did so too!  I liked Mr. and Mrs. Webb of Newstead Abbey very much; nice, hearty, pleasant, truly English people.

There have not been above twenty or thirty boats up this year—­mostly Americans.  There are some here now, very nice people, with four little children, who create quite an excitement in the place, and are ‘mashallahed’ no end.  Their little fair faces do look very pretty here, and excite immense admiration.

Seyd has just come in to take my letter to the steamer which is now going down.  So addio, dearest Alick.  I am much better but still weakish, and very triste at my long separation.

March 6, 1866:  Sir Alexander Duff Gordon

To Sir Alexander Duff Gordon. Tuesday, March 6, 1866.

Dearest Alick,

I write to be ready for the last down steamer which will be here in a few days.  Mr. and Miss North are here working hard at sketching, and M. Brune will take a place in their Dahabieh (my old Zint el Bahreyn), and leave me in six or seven days.  I shall quite grieve to lose his company.  If ever you or yours fall in with him, pray cultivate his acquaintance, he is very clever, very hard working, and a ‘thorough-bred gentleman’ as Omar declares.  We are quite low-spirited at parting after a month spent together at Thebes.

I hear that Olagnier has a big house in Old Cairo and will lodge me.  The Norths go to-day (Thursday) and M. Brune does not go with them as he intended, but will stay on and finish a good stroke of work and take his chance of a conveyance.

I spent yesterday out in Mustapha’s tent among the bean gatherers, and will go again.  I think it does me good and is not too long a ride.  The weather has set in suddenly very hot, which rather tries everybody, but gloriously fine clear air.  I hope you will get this, as old fat Hassan will take it to the office in Cairo himself—­for the post is very insecure indeed.  I have written very often, if you don’t get my letters I suppose they interest the court of Pharaoh.

March 17, 1866:  Sir Alexander Duff Gordon

To Sir Alexander Duff Gordon.  THEBES, March 17, 1866.

Dearest Alick,

The high winds have begun with a vengeance and a great bore they are.

I went a few days ago out to Medarnoot, and lunched in Mustapha’s tent, among his bean harvest.  I was immensely amused by the man who went with me on to Medarnoot, one Sheriff, formerly an illustrious robber, now a watchman and very honest man.  He rode a donkey, about the size of Stirling’s wee pony, and I laughed, and said, ’The man should carry the ass.’  No sooner said than done, Sheriff dismounted, or rather let his beast down from