INDEPENDENCE OF NILE LIFE. 87 Other travellers undoubtedly make other experiences and take away other impressions. I can even conceive circumstances which would almost destroy the pleasure of the journey.

The same exquisitely sensitive temperament which in our case has not been disturbed by a single untoward incident, might easily be kept in a state of constant derangement by an unsympathetic companion, a cheating dragoman, or a fractious crew.

There are also many trifliug desagremens, inseparable from life in Egypt, which some would consider a source of annoyance ; but as we find fewer than we were prepared to meet, we are not troubled thereby. Our enjoyment springs from causes so few and simple, that I scarcely know how to make them suflB.ce for the effect, to those who have never visited the Nile.

It may be interesting to such to be made acquainted with our manner of liviug, in detail.

In the first place, we are as independent of all organized Governments as a ship on the open sea. (The Arabs call the Nile El balir, " the sea.") "We are on board our own chartered vessel, which must go where we list, the captain and sailors being strictly bound to obey us. We sail under national colors, make our own laws for the time being, are ourselves the only censors over our speech and conduct, and shall have no communication with the authorities on shore, unless our subjects rebel. Of this we have no fear, for we commenced by maintaining strict discipline, and as we make no unreasonable demands, are always cheerfully obeyed. Indeed, the most complete harmony exists between the rulers and the ruled, and though our government is the purest form of despotism, we flatter ourselves that it is better managed than that of the Model- Republic,