Eliza Roxcy Snow

“ We have now completed our tour in Egypt, which in many respects has proved the most agreeable and interesting of any country we have visited in regard to its physical appearance, and the character, religion, customs and manners of its inhabitants. It occupies the northeastern part of Africa, and embraces nearly six millions of people Egyptians, Turks, Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Syrians and Mamelukes. The great majority are husbandmen, and their social condition of a low grade, generally igno- rant and uneducated and fond of frivolous amusements. ”

“ By men and women, whether rich or poor, barrenness is considered a curse and a reproach, and it is regarded, also, as disgraceful in a man to divorce, without some substantial reason, a wife who has borne him a child, especially while her child is living. ”

“ The streets, like those of most other cities of Europe, are generally narrow, though some are wide, handsomely paved, and bordered with elegant buildings, five, six and seven stories high. We noticed in many parts of the city that the lower stories are built without windows; air and light being admitted through the door in front, which is generally large, always stand- ing open, except at night, when the occupants retire to rest. ”

“ Their customs and modes of worship are singular and curious. Sometimes they enter a solitary cell, remain forty days and nights, fasting from daybreak till sunset, employing their time in imploring forgiveness, praising God, etc. ”

“ Those worn by the upper class are of a better style. The dress of the Egyptian ladies is much after the fashion of that of men, but more elegant.
The Mohammedans, like the Christians, are divided into various religious societies, each having its peculiar tenets and practices. The Der- vishes constitute an important sect are very numerous, and in many parts of Egypt are highly respected. ”

“ On every occasion the people were remarkably orderly no* boisterous speeches, loud talking or laughter. In these large crowds, and at hotels where only Egyptian servants and Arabs were employed, I con- sidered my little effects more secure than at American or European estab- lishments. ”

“ These apart- ments were swarming with laboring people, many of whom appeared in great poverty. We have visited no city where so much begging is practised as in Naples. In many places beggars thronged us by multitudes.
We visited Pompeii, distant a few miles from Naples, and spent several hours in walking through the streets and examining its interesting and mournful ruins. ”

“ The climate being warm, and their style of living cheap and simple, their habitations consist- ing chiefly of low mud huts, very little labor or expense is required for the maintenance of families. I noticed, in passing through many of their mud villages, that they appeared to be swarming with children. ”

“ Naples. Beggars. Pompeii. Earthquakes. Herculanseum. Museum. "Secret Cabinet." Ascent of Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder. From Naples to Brindisi. Hardworking women. Corfu. Religious service in a Greek cathedral. Take steamer for Alexandria. Egypt. Turkish mosques. Copts. Mohammedan schools. Male and Female attire. Dervish worship. Suez. Red Sea.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, FEBRUARY GTH, 1873. Editor Deseret N&ivs:
The city of Naples contains a population of over half a million. It is beautifully situated on the slope of a range of hills bordering the Mediter- ranean. ”