Do not forget this, and especially be careful not to ridicule the sacred animals.

And now farewell, my young heroes, till we meet again this evening over a merry wine-cup." The Persians then quitted the palace, accompanied by their interpreter, a Greek, but who had been brought up in Egypt, and spoke both languages with equal facility.
[Psamtik I.is said to have formed a new caste, viz.: the caste of Interpreters, out of those Greeks who had been born and bred up in Egypt.Herod.II.154.Herodotus himself was probably conducted by such a "Dragoman."] Those streets of Sais which lay near the palace wore a pleasant aspect.
The houses, many of which were five stories high, were generally covered with pictures or hieroglyphics; galleries with balustrades of carved and gaily-painted wood-work, supported by columns also brightly painted, ran round the walls surrounding the courts.

In many cases the proprietor's name and rank was to be read on the door, which was, however, well closed and locked.

Flowers and shrubs ornamented the flat roofs, on which the Egyptians loved to spend the evening hours, unless indeed, they preferred ascending the mosquito-tower with which nearly every house was provided.

These troublesome insects, engendered by the Nile, fly low, and these little watch-towers were built as a protection from them.
The young Persians admired the great, almost excessive cleanliness, with which each house, nay, even the streets themselves, literally shone.