diately. At sunset I asked Omar to bring me my fish, which he did. I eat and enjoyed it, and still left abundance. On the cook's return with coffee, I said, "there is still some fish for you, Omar, eat and suppose yourself to be in Abyssinia. He laughingly replied, "I will eat it, and also meat, which you ordered me to buy for myself and Mohammed Aga." I after this took a walk in the garden; and suddenly heard the noise of drums, followed by music of a soldier's band. I leant against a fig tree, to enjoy those sounds under that beautiful sky; but alas! the notes struck most discordantly on my ears. It might be the performers, or perhaps the instruments. I conjectured it was in honour of the captain; it continued during the dinner.

On my return Omar came to light the candle, and inform me that the music was playing in honour of the captain. I said "it is only his due." "Certainly," replied Omar. Wishing to do something to pass the time, I took a book out of the bookcase in the saloon, and what did it happen to be? Porretti's Latin Grammar, which once I had studied so intently, that even now it was fixed in my memory. Oh, delightful grammar! I loved thee, I love thee still, and I will love thee for ever! I commenced reading with the greatest pleasure those rules which to the students or boys are the "pons asinorum" like the ablative absolute, the verb fastidio, "videor," &c. &c.

I should have quite forgotten myself with that book had not the captain returned about eleven, and com

menced telling me of the excellent dinner he had had, and the politeness of Latif Pasha. I inquired what Europeans he had met at the dinner; he replied, a Frenchman, doctor of the government, an Italian, the old man who speaks French, and a Turk, a friend of Latif Pasha. The Pasha inquired for you,

and I told him you were much engaged. Did you hear the music? Certainly, and I knew "a prori," it was in your honour. How much backshish did you give? Nothing. That is well. I hope to-morrow the musicians will not come to ask me for it, as the Albanians did at Barbar. After this we wished each other good night, and lay down to rest. Laying awake, I could not help laughing. The captain inquired, "What is the matter, my dear fellow ?" I could only reply in Arabic. "Bokra" (to-morrow.) "But what is it? tell me." I said, "to-morrow I shall be obliged to preach a good sermon to the musicians, who will come to ask for backshish." "Well, if they do, they shall have it," he said. "Then," said I, "we will do an injustice to the Albanians of Barbar. Enough, we shall see to-morrow, and we turned off to rest; but shortly I was disturbed by the gnats which took backshish from me without my permission. I rose and went to the court, where

I remained till morning.

CHPTER XIX.

THIRD DAY AT KARTUM-MY VISIT TO THE TOMB OF FATHER RYLLO-INFORMATION RESPECTING THE PROPAGANDA-MY WALK THROUGH THE BAZAAR.

THE 25th passed quickly; being spent in writing. On the 26th, we were still at Kartum. I, who for so many Sundays had not been able to attend mass, confess, and receive the sacrament, rose to hear the mass, of P. Piedmonti. When this was over, I confessed to P. Zara, and received the holy sacrament from him, to fortify me in that wild country, and in those dreadful Deserts, which we were to traverse. I felt much gratified to think, that here in Africa was sown the seeds of the true faith, where for so many years, ignorance ruled, and where now the most holy sacrifice is offered to the Almighty. Thus contemplating, I felt a changed man. Here, also, to see the orphans and poor, fed and instructed by P. Zara, in the ways of virtue and truth,* must edify and please every

* There are some Copts who follow the heresy of Dioscorus and others. They glory in being Christians; but their works are very far from, and quite contrary to, the principles they profess. They are like the Mahommedans

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one. These all attend both masses, and at the end of each they recite the acts of faith, hope, and charity, in Arabic, as well as other prayers. Leaving the chapel late, I found them all at play in the court. I stopped to watch them. On seeing me, they came to wish me good morning. I did the same, and told them to continue their play. This they did not seem disposed to do, but surrounded me. I thought this a good opportunity of exhorting them to greater diligence in their study. Knowing the nature of children, I did so as shortly as possible; they seemed pleased with what I said, and resumed their play.

I was retiring slowly, and had only got to the second gate, where I was met by the cawas, asking me, if we were going to the Pasha. In passing through the court they were playing in, I heard the boys disputing whether I was a Frank, or an Arab in Frank's dress. Being curious to hear their decision, I continued walking about, pretending to write; after some discussion, some decided one way; others the other; a little black proposed to come and ask me, but the others would not let him, saying it was improper. He insisted, and freeing himself ran up to me, and with a beautiful expression on his countenance said "Is thy reverence a Frank or an Arab? I have told my companions you

swear by the holy name of the Almighty for every nonsense. I once, in the presence of the Mahommedans, rebuked one who was swearing for a very frivolous thing, and he appeared very mortified and was laughed at by the same people.

are not a Frank but only wear their dress, and they say you are; they are ashamed to come and ask you."

I called all those dear little creatures to come, and smiling said, "What do you think, am I Frangi (Frank) or an Arab?" They were all embarrassed; at length a little copt orphan, who seemed clever and full of vivacity said, "Your reverence is an Arab, from 'Aleppo' or Damascus, for your pronunciation is not Egyptian." I enquired, "How do you know that, you are so young and have been always at Kartum ?" He replied, "Iakauagia Jusef, my father was an Egyptian, and did not pronounce as well as your reverence." Wishing no longer to detain them, I said, "You have judged rightly; I am not a Frank, but am from Syria, near Damascus; when young I was sent to college, where Don Ignazio was, (called Abuna, or Kaugaia Solaiman, father or Mr. Solomon,) to the country of the Franks, to the city of the Pope, where I remained nearly eight years. Thence I went to the country of the English, to teach Arabic and other languages, and I came as Arabic master with the captain." The question settled, I sent them off to play, as Omar came to tell me the captain was waiting breakfast. I went immediately, and wishing him good morning, we commenced breakfast. He asked if I was pleased to have heard mass, and smiling added-"I suppose you took the sacrament;" I replied, "yes sir; I confessed first, then received the sacrament, and prayed to God I might die in his grace."