PREFACE.

which is already familiar. Egypt, however, was the

vestibule through which I passed to Ethiopia and the

Idngdoms beyond, and I have not been able to omit my

impressions of that country without detracting from

the completeness of the narrative. This book is the

record of a single journey, which, both in its character

and in the circumstances that suggested and accompa-

nied it, occupies a separate place in my memory. Its

performance was one uninterrupted enjoyment, for, whatever the privations to which it exposed me, they were neutralized by the physical delight of restored

health and by a happy confidence in the successful

issue of the journey, which never forsook me. It is

therefore but just to say, that the pictures I have

drawn may seem over-bright to others who may here-

after follow me ; and I should warn all such that they must expect to encounter many troubles and annoy-

ances.

Although I have described somewhat minutely the

antiquities of Nubia and Ethiopia which I visited, and

have not been insensible to the interest which every

traveller in Egypt must feel in the remains of her

ancient art, I have aimed at giving representations of

the living races which inhabit those countries rather

than the old ones which have passed away. I have

taken it for granted that the reader will feel more

interested—as I was—in a live Arab, than a dead