THE PRINCESS OF DAR-FUR. 305 nou and Dar-Fur, and the Pasha was of the opinion that it would he impossihle to traverse Africa from east to west, in the line of those states.

A circumstance occurred lately, which may help to open Dar-Fur to Europeans. The Sitteh (Lady) Sowakin, the aunt of Sultan Adah, the present monarch of that kingdom, is a zealous Moslem, and lately determined to make a pilgrimage to the grave of the Prophet. She arrived in Khartoum in August, 1851, attended by a large retinue of officers, attendants and slaves, and after remaining a few days descended the Nile to El Mekheyref, crossed the Desert to Sowakin, on the Ked Sea, and sailed thence for Djidda, the port of Mecca. During her stay Lattif Pasha was exceedingly courteous to her, introducing her to his wives, bestowing upon her handsome presents, and furnishing her with boats and camels for her journey. Dr.

Reitz availed himself of the occasion to make the people of Dar-Fur better acquainted with Europeans. All the Frank residents assembled at his house, in Christian costume, and proceeded to the residence of the Lady Sowakin. They found her sitting in state, with two black slaves before her on their hands and knees, motionless as sphinxes. On each side stood her officers and interpreters. She was veiled, as well as her female attendants, and all exhibited the greatest surprise and curiosity at the appearance of the Franks. The gifts they laid before her — silks, fine soaps, cosmetics, bon-bons, &c. — she examined with childish delight, and when the Consul informed her that the only object of the Europeans in wishing to enter Dar-Fur was to exchange such objects as these for gum and elephants' teeth, she promised to persuade Sultan Adah to open his kingdom to them.