Nor Was The Cleanliness That Prevailed, In Despite Of All The
Obstacles Opposed To It, Less Worthy Of Praise:
The servants were
civil and attentive, and the prices charged extremely moderate.
All
the guests of the hotel of course formed one family, assembling daily
at meals, after the continental fashion. The dining-room was spacious,
and divided into two portions; the one ascended by a step was
surrounded by divans, after the Egyptian fashion, and here were books
to be found containing useful and entertaining knowledge. A few stray
numbers of the Asiatic Journal, half a dozen volumes of standard
novels, files of the Bombay Times, and works illustrative of ancient
and modern Egypt, served to beguile the time of those who had
nothing else to do. Meanwhile, travellers came dropping in, and the
caravanserai was soon crowded.
CHAPTER VII.
* * * * *
SUEZ TO ADEN.
* * * * *
Travellers assembling at Suez - Remarks on the Pasha's
Government - Embarkation on the Steamer - Miserable accommodation in the
Berenice, and awkwardness of the attendants - Government Ships not
adapted to carry Passengers - Cause of the miserable state of the Red
Sea Steamers - Shores of the Red Sea - Arrival at Mocha - Its appearance
from the Sea - Arrival at Aden - Its wild and rocky appearance on
landing - Cape Aden - The Town - Singular appearance of the Houses - The
Garrison expecting an attack by the Arabs - Discontent of the
Servants of Europeans at Aden - Complaints by Anglo-Indians against
Servants - Causes - Little to interest Europeans in Aden.
Amongst the travellers who came dropping in at the hotel, was
the Portuguese governor of Goa and his suite, consisting of four
gentlemen, the private and public secretaries, an aide-de-camp, and
the fourth holding some other appointment.
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