A diary in the East - during the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales (1869) (14762788352)

Identifier: diaryineastdurin01russ (find matches)
Title: A diary in the East : during the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales
Year: 1869 (1860s)
Authors: Russell, William Howard, Sir, 1820-1907
Subjects: Middle East -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : G. Routledge
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN



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starred sky. The avenue of palm-branches and thefagade of Mustaphas house were illuminated also, andblazing beacons bordered the bank of the river.Native boats floated down to the music of wildchoruses, and vanished in the darkness. The day and night were equally worthy ofremembrance. On board the Princes ship therewas a dinner of more than usual state, and Mr.Smith was invited to the Eoyal table, in additionto the Eussian Count and others. February 17th.—To-day was devoted to a visit tothe Valley of the Kings, on the left (or west) bankof the river, one of the most interesting excursionsin the world. Sixty or seventy horses and donkeyswere collected for the party, which was transported at10 oclock to the other side, lower down the Nile.The news of the coming had gone abroad, and, inaddition to the usual gathering of syces, servants,and retainers, there was an assemblage of natives,who seemed to have come out of the Desert. Crowdsof Arab children, boys and girls, kept up with us the
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IX.) THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS. 237 whole way to the Valley, carrjdng pitchers of water,and others presented antiques for sale at all pointsof the route—timid persistent creatures, full of desireto please and to secure baksheesh. The kindnessof the Prince and Princess to these little people onthe way soon made them favourites, and secured forthem rather too much attention. His Eoyal High-ness has taken a fancy to a little soft-eyed, white-toothed lad, named Yousouf, who follows his donkey,and wants to take him to England. Yousouf is ingreat perplexity of mind on the subject. The longhot ride to the Valley terminated only that the ex-ploration of the Tombs of the Kings might begin;and Prince and Princess dismounted in a blazing:sun, and set to work under the guidance of Mr.Smith, who is in grand concurrence with Mus-tapha Aga. It was a very trying day. Deep into the earth the Prince and Princess dived,among broken slabs and rough stones, examining thechambers of the dead, where painted