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Description of Egypt

2000

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he distant view of the Egyptian metropolis and its environs I enjoyed to great advantage on my first approach: the Nile being at its highest point, many objects which at other seasons would have been concealed by its banks were visible from our boat; and the charm of novelty, with the effect of a brilliant evening sunshine, contributed as much to the interest of the scene as those romantic fascinations with which history and fiction have invested it. I was most pleased with the prospect when about a league distant from the metropolis. The river (here about half a mile in width) was agitated by a fresh breeze, blowing in direct opposition to the current. Numerous boats were seen around us: some, like our own, ploughing their way up the rapid stream: others drifting down, with furled sails. On our left was the plain of Heliopolis. The Capital lay directly before us; and seemed to merit the pompous appellation by which Europeans have long dignified it: I believe, however, that it was originally called by them “Grand Cairo” merely to distinguish it from the town improperly named “Old Cairo.” It certainly had a grand appearance; though partly concealed by nearer objects; being situated on an almost perfect flat, and about a mile distant from the

river. I might have counted nearly a hundred ma’d’nehs (or menarets), towering above the crowded houses. These, while they showed the extent of the town, seemed, from their vast number, and from their noble proportions, to promise a degree of magnificence far beyond what I had previously expected; and I began to think that I might find in the Egyptian capital some of the very finest existing specimens of Arabian architecture: nor was I disappointed by the subsequent examination of the monuments of this city. At the further extremity of the metropolis was seen the Citadel, upon a rocky elevation, about two hundred and fifty feet above the level of the plain. The yellow ridge of Mount Moockut’tum, behind the city, terminated the prospect in that direction. The scene on the opposite side of the river possessed, with less varied features, a more impressive interest. Beyond a spacious, cultivated plain, interspersed with villages and palm-groves, we beheld the famous Pyramids of El-Gee’zeh. Viewing them under the effect of the evening sun (the sides presented towards us being cast into shade), their appearance was peculiarly striking; their distance not being diminished to the eye, as it is through the extraordinary clearness of the air, when they reflect the rays of the sun towards the spectator. As we approached Boo’la’ck, the second and third pyramids became gradually concealed from our view by the greatest. Arriving within a mile or two of this town, our boatmen began to testify their joy by songs adapted to the occasion, according to their general custom; and to these songs succeeded the ruder music of the zoomma‘rah and darabook’keh (the double reed-pipe, and earthen drum), which was prolonged until we reached the port.

Boo’la’ck the principal port of the metropolis, has now a more respectable appearance, towards the river, then it is described to have had when Egypt was occupied by the French. The principal objects seen in approaching it by the Nile, from the north, are the warehouses and manufactories belonging to the government; which are extensive, whitewashed buildings, situated near the river. In the same part of the town are seen large mounds of corn and beans, piled up in spacious enclosures, in the open air: such being the general mode of storing the grain throughout Egypt; for there is little fear of its being injured by rain. The great mosque, surrounded by sycamores and other trees, has a very picturesque appearance.

The landing-place presents a lively scene; the bank being lined by numerous boats, and thronged by noisy boatmen, porters, sack’ckas (or water-carriers), and idle Turkish soldiers, besides camels, asses, & c. The costume of the lower orders here is the same as throughout Lower Egypt; generally the blue shirt, and the white or red turban. The dresses of the middling classes, and of the Turks, being gay and varied, contribute much to the picturesque character of the scene. Above the general landing-place is a place which was built for the late Isma’ee’l Ba’sha, son of Mohham’mad ‘Al’ee. It is a large building, white-washed, and painted with festoons of flowers, like many of the palaces of Constantinople; and having glass windows. Of late, it has occasionally been made use of as barracks for some of the Niza’m Gedee’d, or regular troops.

Boo’la’ck is about a mile in length; and half a mile is the measure of its greatest breadth. It contains about 20,000 inhabitants; or nearly so. Its houses, streets, shops, &c. are like those of the metropolis. Of the mosques of Boo’la’ck, the large one called Es-Sin’a’nee’yeh, and that of Ab’oo-l-‘El’ë, are the most remarkable; the former, for its size; the latter, for the beauty of its ma’d’neh. The principal manufactories are those of cotton and linen cloths, and of striped silks of the same kind as the Syrian and Indian. Many Franks find employment in them. A printing-office has also been established at Boo’la’ck, by the present viceroy. Many works on military and naval tactics, and others on Arabic grammar, poetry, letter-writing, geometry, astronomy, surgery, &c. have issued from this press. The printing-office contains several lithographic presses, which are used for printing proclamations,

tables illustrative of military and naval tactics, &c.

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In document FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA (página 21-28)