Posted inTravelers' Tales

Domestic Comedy on the Nile

"He mixed her a drink; then he brought her two balloons and a false face to play with. Later, I found her singing softly to herself."

Keeping house in Egypt is great fun, if you can keep your temper. Servants a-plenty are a certainty, but what they will do next is always uncertain. Here a noted Egyptologist tells some amusing stories of his household difficulties.

BY ARTHUR WEIGALL,

Former Inspector General of Antiquities for the
Egyptian Government.

IN ordinary, amiable conversation with people whose interests have little in common with mine, I often find that the introduction of the subject of servants supplies just that touch of nature which makes the whole world kin. When I have been talking about my life in the land of the Pharaohs, for example, I have observed that some stray remark of mine about my domestic staff has kindled the light of interest in eyes that were rolling upward with boredom; and therefore I offer no apology for making this my present theme. Like illnesses and operations, it has an almost universal appeal.

What happens in Egypt, of course, is outside the scope of everyday experience in the West; yet servants are servants wherever they be, and certain of their qualities—such as that of smashing things with a light heart—are common to the whole species.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 27, 1861 – Gatlin in Charge of Coast Defenses

We see here to-day Col. Gatlin, or General Gatlin, we are not certain which, but certainly Major Gatlin, formerly of the U. S. Army. Mr. Gatlin is a native of North Carolina, graduated at West Point, with Gen. Holmes, served with him in the Federal Army, and, like his friend, has resigned from that Army and offered his services to his native section. Need we add that his offer was accepted?

Posted inUS Civil War

June 26, 1861 – From Camp Dennison

Camp Dennison, June 19 — On last Sunday evening, when the camp was all quiet and peaceable, a great noise came from the eastern side of the camp, and a great hurrying to and fro was seen in the 10th regiment. It was soon ascertained that some of the 12th regiment had been over in the 10th, and in some way, not known, had raised a fracas, in which one of the guards was shot. In a few minutes the whole camp was alive. The 10th threatened to come over and whip the 12th regiment. As soon as the rumor reached the headquarters of the 3d Brigade, the 12th, 3rd and 13th regiments were ordered to form a line of battle in front of their respective quarters. In ten minutes time they were all out, and marched up toward the 10th and formed aline along the railroad. All were greatly excited; even some of the officers were so excited that they could not repeat the orders of General Sleigh’s Adjutant, Smith, who was in command. In the meantime the Guthrie Gray regiment was drawn up on the opposite side of the railroad to put down the riot. It was at first supposed to be the 10th, and all both officers and privates expected in less than five minutes time to be engaged in a deadly conflict. On ascertaining who they were and what their business was, there was a sense of relief came over all in the 3d Brigade and all were thankful that they should not be compelled to shed the blood of brothers who were there in the same cause in which they had enlisted. The western side were ordered to their quarters, and by the aid of their own officers the 10th was pursuaded to go back to their quarters and then a fight was put down, which might have ended the lives of many who had enlisted in an entirely different cause from that.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 25, 1861 – Manufacture of Arms

The Convention of North Carolina having vested in the Government of the Confederate States jurisdiction over the Arsenal and grounds at Fayetteville, all the rifle works or machinery recently at Harper’s Ferry have been or is being removed to Fayetteville, where the manufacture and alteration of arms will be carried on. The Richmond Dispatch says a number of workmen have arrived in that city on their way to Fayetteville.

Posted inDaily News

New Amazonian Animal

New York. June 53—An animal with a body shaped like that of a dachshund, but with webbed feet, with a head like an anteater and with long hair, which sings…
Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 23, 1861 – Naval Engagement – Gallant and Daring Chase of a Federal Steamer

On Sunday evening, about 7 o’clock, while the Confederate steamer Empire was engaged in reconnoitering the enemy’s works at Newport News, Captain Parrish discovered the Federal steamer Cataline, some distance off and under headway for Old Point. Chase was immediately given, and when within a few miles of Hampton Creek, the Empire fired two shots, one of which is believed to have taken effect on the Cataline and but for the proximity of the Cumberland frigate, which promptly opened her battery to stop the chase, the Cataline would in all probability have fallen into our hands.