no longer exists. In the year 1824, the citadel was much shaken by the explosion of a magazine; whence arose the necessity of a thorough repair in several of the remaining buildings of the fortress. Among the ruins pointed out for demolition were the surviving walls of Saladin's palace; on the site of which was about to be erected a square, meant probably for the better accommodation of the troops. The roof of this edifice, which might long have withstood the ravages of time, was very much admired. It was formed of a succession of little domes made of wood, into which were introduced concave circles containing octagons of blue and gold. The corners and arches of the buildings were carved in the best Saracenic manner, and in many places the colours and gilding continued perfectly bright.

Cairo, although it cannot boast of an origin so ancient as that of Thebes, nor of a mythology which connected the present life so closely with the next, has nevertheless a city of tombs, a Necropolis on which has been lavished much treasure combined with a certain portion of architectural taste. The desert towards the east is studded with sepulchres and mausoleums, some of which produce a very striking effect. As every Turk throughout the empire, from the grand signior to the meanest peasant, is compelled to be of some profession; and as every calling has its peculiar head-dress, which is represented on a pole at the grave of the deceased,— burial-place in a Moslem country has necessarily a singular appearance. The celebrated tombs of the Mamluks are going fast to decay, their boasted magnificence being now limited to a gilt inscription; but, in order that the reader may be enabled to

form a judgment as to their grandeur in former days, we insert a drawing taken from the splendid work on Egypt published by the imperial government of France.

The cemetery of the pasha is the most sumptuous of modern structures in the Necropolis of Cairo. It is a vaulted stone building, consisting of five domes, under which, in splendid chambers composed of marble, are laid the bodies of his two sons Toussoun and Ishmael, and of his favourite wife the mother of these youths. Having mentioned this lady, it may not be out of place to add that she possessed an astonishing degree of influence over her impetuous husband, who always regarded her as the foundation of his good fortune. She was much esteemed too, and beloved by the people; for her power was uniformly exerted on the side of justice and mercy. Much of her time was occupied in receiving petitions; but it was seldom she had to refer them to the pasha, as her ascendency was too well known by the ministers to require this last appeal. If, however, in consequence of any demur on their part, she had to apply to him, he answered their remonstrance by saying," "Tis enough. By my two eyes! if she requires it, the thing must be done, be it through fire, water, or stone."

Mohammed Ali generally resides at Shoubra, where he has built a splendid palace, and planted a garden after the European fashion. The ceilings, executed by a Grecian artist, are lofty and vaulted, ornamented with gold and with representations of landscapes, or of palaces and colonnades, the whole being painted in light and pleasing colours. The sulta

na's private sitting-room is still more sumptuous. During the heats of summer his highness occupies an apartment below, particularly adapted for coolness, having a marble fountain in the centre amply supplied with a constant stream of water. On one of the walls is inscribed, in large Arabic characters, a verse from the Koran, signifying an hour of justice is worth seventy days of prayer."

But the chief embellishment of the place is a magnificent pavilion, about 250 feet long by 200 broad. On its sides run four galleries or colonnades, composed of elegant pillars of the finest white marble, surrounding a sunken court six feet deep, paved throughout with the same beautiful material. At each corner of the colonnade is a terrace, over which water passes into the court below in a murmuring cascade, having on its ledges figures of fish, sculptured so true to nature that they appear to move in the flowing stream. The whole supply of water rises again through a fountain in the centre, and reappears in a beautiful jet-d'eau, lofty, sparkling, and abundant. In fine weather the pasha occasionally resorts to this splendid fountain with the ladies of his harem, who row about in the flooded court for the amusement of his highness, while he is seated in the colonnade. Great is the commotion when the ladies descend into the garden. A signal is given and the gardeners vanish in a moment. Mrs Lushington was struck with the ruddy cheeks and healthy appearance of these men. They are principally Greeks; and the gay colours of their fanciful costume, each with a nosegay or bunch of fruit in his hand,-combined with the luxuriant scenery around, gave them more the semblance