MRS. WILTON.  “The ‘Research’ has not tarried long on that coast, at any rate.  We must now suppose ourselves authors instead of travellers; and without thinking of impossibilities, straightway carry our ship overland, across the Isthmus of Suez, and launch quietly on the waters of the Red Sea.”

MR. BARRAUD.  “It is scarcely fair to pass Egypt without a recognition:  the Egyptians would sympathize with us in our partiality for the ancient element.  They are special lovers of two things—­gardens and water.  Even stagnant water, if sweet, they consider a luxury; running water, however dirty, they hold to be extremely luxurious; when during the inundation, the canal of Cairo is full, all the houses on its banks are occupied by persons, who sit in their leisure hours, smoking by its muddy waters; but the height of their enjoyment consists in sitting by a fountain—­this they esteem equal to paradise.”

MRS. WILTON.  “In the Red Sea there are eleven gulfs of moderate dimensions, and some small bays:  we will not wait to examine them, as they are not important; but how are we to sail out of this sea?  George, will you undertake to pilot us?”

GEORGE.  “I know no other way out than through the Straits of Babelmandeb, by Abyssinia, of which country I should like to have a description.”

MRS. WILTON.  “The country consists of a succession of hills and valleys, the former for the most part well-wooded, and the latter fertile; with the climate mild upon the whole for so tropical a latitude.  For the people and customs I must refer you to some other more intelligent member.”

MR. STANLEY.  “The present Bishop of Jerusalem[18] went to Abyssinia some years ago; and he has sketched a few interesting particulars concerning the people.  ’As soon as a child is born, it is immediately taught to drink lukewarm butter, with a little honey.  After the age of six or seven years, the children are considered servants.  The boys are shepherds, till the age of fourteen or fifteen, and reside with their parents; but if their parents are poor, they leave them, by their own choice at the age of eight or nine years, in order to get their livelihood by keeping cattle elsewhere.  The girls are occupied in managing the little affairs of the house; and begin to fetch water, which is always at a distance, as soon as they can walk steadily.  At the age of eight or nine years they begin to fetch wood from the mountains.  There are some fathers who send their children into convents to have them instructed; but there are many who will not do this, lest their children should become monks:  on this account many boys desert their parents, in order to seek instruction for themselves.  Some enter the house of a priest as servants during the day, and they receive instruction at night.  Others go, after the lessons are over, to get food by begging.  There are also many persons in easy circumstances who support those children who seek for instruction without the help of their parents.  Nearly all the great men send their children into convents to learn reading, and to repeat the psalms from memory; this is all the instruction they receive.  The daughters of the higher class learn nothing but spinning and managing the affairs of the house; there are, however, a few ladies who can read.’”