RELATIVE DISTANCES OE IMPORTANT PLACES. S9 CHAPTER XXIII.

RELATIVE DISTANCES OF IMPORTANT PLACES.

Before we commence the account of the ascent of the Nile it will be well to obtain as clear a view as possible of the various distances to be covered by our troops both by river and desert. The following table gives fairly accurately the relative positions of the chief towns through which they passed, together with short accounts of the more dangerous cataracts :— From Cairo to Benisooef, 73 miles.

Benisooef is a large and important town, seventy-three miles from Cairo. It is the capital of the province, and the residence of the Mudir, or Governor. There is a railway station and a good bazaar. The population is about 5,000. The chief industry is the manufacture of woollen carpets and warm linen stuffs.

From Cairo to Minieh, 160 miles. Minieh is a flourishing town, the capital of the province of the same name, and is situated on the left bank of the Nile. The great industry is that of sugar, the first sugar factory in Egypt having been built there. During the sugar cane harvest, and when the mills are in full activity the town presents a very lively appearance.

From Cairo to Assiout, 247J miles. Assiout is nominally within eighteen hours (336 miles of Alexandria) and from this point steamers will, without difficulty, convey the troops 320 miles up stream to Assouan. Assiout is the capital of Upper Egypt, contains the residence of the governor, and has a population of 25,000 souls, of whom about 10,000 are Christians. Its trade in linen, cloth, earthenware, woollen, and opium is considerable, and it is the starting-point of the caravans to Darfur and Nubia. The pipe-bowls of Assiout are renowned throughout Egypt.

From Cairo to Girgeh, 341 miles. Girgeh is chiefly interesting from the fact that it contains a large Christian population, and that the town is manifestly of Christian origin. Formerly Girgeh was the capital of the province, but the town is now of small import¬ ance. It contains a Latin monastery—the oldest Roman Catholic monastery now in Egypt.

From Cairo to Thebes, 450 miles. From Cairo to Esneh, 484 miles.

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