The water of the Nile is, indeed, very good and thoroughly tasteless, so that it is universally drunk in Alexandria, Cairo, and elsewhere; but it is very turbid and of a yellowish colour, so that it must be filtered to render it clear and pure.

Thus it happens that even on the river we are obliged to take water with us.
Handsome country-houses with gardens skirt the sides of the canal; the finest of these belongs to a pacha, the son-in-law of Mehemet Ali.

As we passed this palace I saw the Egyptian Napoleon for the first time; he is a very little old man, with a long snow-white beard; his eyes and his gestures are very animated.

Several Europeans stood around him, and a number of servants, some of them clothed in Greek, others in Turkish costume.

In the avenue his carriage was waiting, a splendid double-seated vehicle, with four beautiful horses, harnessed in the English style.