o carried on a religious discussion with Seleem Effendi, strange
to say, with perfect good-humour on both sides. A Copt came up with his
farm labourer, who had been beaten and the field robbed. The Copt stated
the case in ten words, and the Maohn sent off his cavass with him to
apprehend the accused persons, who were to be tried at sunrise and
beaten, if found guilty, and forced to make good the damage. General Hay
called yesterday--a fine old, blue-eyed soldier. He found a lot of
Fellaheen sitting with me, enjoying coffee and pipes hugely, and they
were much gratified at our pressing them not to move or disturb
themselves, when they all started up in dismay at the entrance of such a
grand-looking Englishman and got off the carpet. So we told them that in
our country the business of a farmer was looked upon as very respectable,
and that the General would ask his farmers to sit and drink wine with
him. '_Mashallah, taib kateer_' (It is the will of God, and most
excellent), said old Omar, my fellah friend, and kissed his hand to
General Hay quite affectionately. We English are certainly liked here.
Seleem said yesterday evening that he had often had to do business with
them, and found them always _doghri_ (straight), men of one word and of
no circumlocutions, 'and so unlike all the other Europeans, and
especially the French!' The fact is that few but decent English come
here, I fancy our scamps go to the colonies, whereas Egypt is the sink
for all the iniquity of the South of Europe.

A worthy Copt here, one Todorus, took 'a piece of paper' for 20 pounds
for antiquities sold to an Englishman, and after the Englishman was gone,
brought it to me to ask what sort of paper it was, and how he could get
it changed, or was he, perhaps, to keep it till the gentleman sent him
the money? It was a circular note, which I had difficulty in explaining,
but I offered to send it to Cairo to Brigg's and get it cashed; as to
when he would get the money I could not say, as they must wait for a safe
hand to send gold by. I told him to put his name on the back of the
note, and Todorus thought I wanted it _as a receipt_ for the money which
was yet to come, and was going cheerfully to write me a receipt for the
20 pounds he was entrusting to me. Now a Copt is not at all green where
his pocket is concerned, but they will take anything from the English. I
do hope no swindler will find it out. Mr. Close told me that when his
boat sank