,
_June_ 16, 1865.

DEAREST ALICK,

I will go down to Alexandria in the boat and Omar will work at her. She
wants a great deal of repairing I find, and his superintendence will save
much money--besides he will do one man's work as he is a much better
carpenter than most here having learnt of the English workmen on the
railroad--but the Reis says the boat must come out of the water as her
bottom is unsound. She is a splendid sailer I hear and remarkably
comfortable. The beds in the _kasneh_ would do for Jacob Omnium. So
when you 'honour our house' you will be happy. The saloon is small, and
the berths as usual. Also she is a very handsome shape--but she wants no
end of repairs. So Omar is consoled at being left because he will 'save
our money' a great deal by piecing sails, and cutting and contriving, and
scraping and painting himself. Only he is afraid for me. However,
_Allah Kereem_.

I have a very good Reis I think. The usual tight little black fellow
from near Assouan--very neat and active and good tempered--the same cross
steersman that we had up to Bedreshayn--but he knows his work well. We
had contrary gales the whole way. My men worked all they possibly could,
and pulled the rope all day and rowed all night, day after day--but we
were twenty-eight days getting down.

I can't write any more.

October 28, 1865: Mrs. Austin

_To Mrs. Austin_.

ALEXANDRIA,
_October_ 28, 1865.

I am truly grieved to hear of your wrist and to see your writing look
cramped. I arrived here on Thursday after a splendid passage and was
very comfortable on board. I found M. Olagnier waiting for me, and Omar,
of course, and am _installe_ at Ross's till my boat gets done which I am
told will be in six days. She will be remarkably comfortable. Omar had
caused a sort of divan with a roof and back to be constructed just
outside the cabin-door where I always sat every evening, which will be
the most delightful little nest one can conceive. I shall sit like a
Pasha there.

My cough is still very harassing, but my chest less tight and painful,
and I feel less utterly knocked down. The weather is beautiful here just
now--warm and not nearly so damp as usual.

Lord Edward St. Maur was on board, he has much of his a