An Artist in Egypt

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THE SPHINX BY MOONLIGHT

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I ENDEAVOURED, in a former book on Egypt, togive my first impressions while the glamour of theEast had not been dimmed by familiarity; and thekind reception of that, my first literary attempt, hasencouraged me to write again after spending someyears in the Nile Valley. Though first impressionsmay have a charm which familiarity lacks, it would beastonishing if a country so full of beauty, and of suchvaried interests as is Egypt, had caused familiarity tobreed contempt. I may safely say that it has not hadthat result. A lengthened stay has certainly added tomy experiences as well as to my stock of drawings,and I trust it has also given me some insight into thecharacter of the people amidst whom I dwelt.

Mediæval Cairo is doubtless year by year the poorerby many picturesque ‘bits’ which have vanished. ButCairo is a large city, and happily many years may elapsebefore artists will cease to go there for material. Whatis still untouched by the jerry builder, or has not beenallowed to fall into ruin, is probably more beautifulthan anything other oriental cities can show. Lesschange is seen in the smaller towns, and the villages aremuch the same in aspect as when the Saracen invadersfirst occupied the valley of the Nile.

Every season adds to the knowledge of AncientEgypt, and gives us something which for centuries layhid beneath the desert sands. It was my good fortuneto spend some winters at Thebes while some of themost interesting of recent discoveries were made,and through the courtesy of Mr. Weigall, the ChiefInspector of Upper Egypt, I was enabled to dwell anddo my work in these congenial surroundings. I havealso to thank him for the unique opportunities whichour desert journey, from the Nile to the Red Sea,offered; of all my experiences in Egypt, none hasgiven me more pleasure in recalling.

Haslemere, 1912.