Posted inArchaeology Travelers' Tales

Pyramids of Sakkara

Two Colossal Statues of Rameses II.

History of Those Remarkable Relics of Antiquity.

Hypostyle Hall a Wonder of the World.

Other Interesting Things To Be Seen In Egypt.

Entrance gate to the temple of Khens at Karnak

Basle, Switzerland, March 25.

The Pyramids of Sakkara may easily be visited front Gizeh by donkey, but having deferred this visit for another day, we took the train for Bedrashen and from there went over the desert. This little village was formerly the centre of Old Memphis, the famous capital of ancient times, built of sun-dried bricks, made out of Nile mud, Memphis stood on the borders of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms, and was founded by Menes, the head of the First Dynasty, about four thousand years before Christ. The narrow streets of this large city were a half a day’s journey long and extended as far as Gizeh, its several quarters being known as the “South Wall,” the “White Wall,” and the “House of the Spirit of Ptah.”

But as Thebes rose Memphis declined. It was a shining mark for Cambyses, who took it by storm, and it competed for a season with Alexandria; and, at the time of Augustus, though many of its buildings were laid low, it was still a populous city. The Mohammedans appropriated a large part of its ruins when they built their mosques and dwellings on the right side of the Nile, but its vastness could not be used up in a moment and up to the 12th century it is said to have been a wonderland; finally, however, every stone was taken to make Cairo the beautiful city it is today.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History Travelers' Tales

The Hayes Arctic Expedition

Schooner United States in ice.

The problem which the Franklins and the Kanes, of Arctic science and discovery, have labored so long and with such heroism to solve, has had no new light thrown upon it by the voyage from which Dr. Hayes has just returned. When, in July of last year, he left our shores in the small schooner United States, having on board only sixteen persons and the usual outfit, we felt in no way sanguine that the expedition would be successful in clearing away the mystery which surrounds the North pole, and the result is, therefore, only in accordance with our anticipations. This conveys no ill compliment to its projector, whose enthusiasm, talent and perseverance are undoubted; but we formed our opinion from the weakness of the exploring force. It was an attempt, with very inadequate means, to achieve a great object. Everything about the expedition was on far too small a scale; and, being insufficient, it became a foregone conclusion that it would fail. We are still wanting in scientific data relating to the geography and meteorology of the Arctic region, and even of its navigation and zoology. We are only slightly informed; but this expedition has discovered nothing before unknown on these points, and the death of its astronomer has only added another to the long list of Arctic victims. Had the expedition been larger, and provided with a good scientific party, much might have been attained, where, for want of it, the result has been simply a blank. Dr. Hayes succeeded in making his way by dog sledges no farther north than latitude 81 degrees 35 minutes, which is a lower degree than even Hendrik Hudson reached about the year 1600. We refer to these facts simply to show the folly of fitting out Polar expeditions that, from their very diminutiveness, are unequal to the work for which they are designed.

Posted inNatural World Travelers' Tales

New Search for a North Polar Continent

Map showing the two Arctic routes of the eexpeditions.
Two Great Expeditions Go Forth in Search of Crocker Land, the Mysterious Arctic Continent Described by Peary. Canada is Backing Stefansson, Who Has Sailed from Nome. New York Scientific Institutions Are Behind McMillan.

While there are deeds of daring to be done men will be found to do them. Captain Scott’s terrible story of his hardships, privations and finally his tragic death are still fresh in the minds of all, but it in no way deters others from following his noble example. The North Pole was discovered by Peary in 1906, but science is not yet satisfied. Peary reported that he sighted land and that, in his opinion, there was an Arctic continent. What is this continent made of? Are there any inhabitants? If so, what are their language and customs? What are the fauna and flora of this unknown region? Two men are heading expeditions at present with the purpose of answering these questions and are willingly risking their lives and those of many others to satisfy the demands of science. And these two men are Vilhjalmar Stefansson and Donald McMillan.

Posted inTravelers' Tales

A Few Notes From Egypt

Nile at Luxor. Black and white photo showing a sailing boat on the river.
Nile at Luxor. Photo: Mohamed Amine ABASSI, https://www.flickr.com/photos/78459980@N03/14192228773

Life Is Still Gay in Luxor and the Titled Visitors Are Many

Luxor, Upper Egypt—The golden sunshine and balmy breezes prevailing, Luxor, fringed with its great ribbons of green vegetation, is just now at its heydey, even though the curtain is being slowly rung down on the Egyptian season. It forms the busy passing point for hosts of tourists who are returning from the upper Nile and those belated travelers who are hurrying up to Assouan, Wadi Halfa and Khartoum. Belgian colors are in favor everywhere for King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of the Belgians have been among the noted visitors of recent days. The queen is accompanied by Countess von der Steen and her sister. Princess Rupprecht of Bavaria, who has come down from Assouan.

Posted inDaily News Iron & Steam Railroads Travelers' Tales

N. P. Willis on the “Baltimore and Ohio Railroad”

ldlewild, August 8, 1859

Dear Morris : There is one class of sights upon a new railroad which are very interesting while their freshness lasts—the places that have been taken by surprise. On the line of the streak of lightning that was thrown over the Alleghanies by the Baltimore thunder-cloud of thirty-one million dollars, is a succession of far-hidden remotenesses—wild valleys, cascades, solitary shanties and mountain fastnesses—many of which were thought by the hunter, or by the pioneer settler, wholly unreachable by common thoroughfares, and, in fact, inaccessible to all visitings but the eagle’s, but which have been laid open, almost with the suddenness of a thunderbolt, and are now daily looked at from crowded freight trains and expresses, as familiar to the man in the locomotive as the signs of a street!

Posted inArchaeology Travelers' Tales

“Antiques” Made to Order

Header for the article, featuring forged examples of a canopic jar, scarab, and figurings of a cat, dove, and fisherman in a boat.

The fabrication of forged antiquities has become one of the most profitable industries of modern Egypt. Every year more and more wealthy American and European tourists go to the sunny and salubrious land of the Pharaohs. Practically every one of these tourists wishes to take away some relic of the ancient Pharaohs as a souvenir. To supply this demand the modern Egyptians are working night and day making very attractive articles in the ancient style. The Egyptian law now requires that every person finding antiquities shall report the fact to the government, which reserves the right to purchase them. This law really favors the antiquity forgers, for they represent to their customers that they are offering them contraband goods, which offer usually has the effect of whetting the appetite to buy.

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 inTravelers' Tales

American Tourists are Rich Harvest

Luxor Templee

Many From United States Pay Visits to Luxor

Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt, March 29 (By the Associated Press)—Within the last month three big ocean liners from the United States have touched at Egypt, and swarms of American tourists have flocked down to the scene of King Tutankhamun’s terrestrial resurrection In the Valley of the Kings. American travelers who heretofore have spent their winters in the Holy Land, Algeria or other semi-tropical resorts, have this year chosen the Nile because of its nearness to the tomb of the ancient Pharaoh. The great presidential shrines a Mount Vernon and Springfield, Ill., have not attracted a greater number of American pilgrims this winter than the strange subterranean sepulchre of Egypt.

“Have you seen the new tomb?” is the first question put to every American upon setting foot In Egypt. For in the popular view, not to have visited the now famous mummy chamber is not to have been in Egypt. American visitors, instead of stopping off at Cairo, as was their habit previously, now come directly down to Luxor, making the 450-mile journey from the capital in 12 hours, or more leisurely in one of the river excursion boats. The finding of Tutankhamun’s tomb has given this little Nile municipality an Importance it has not enjoyed in 3,000 years.