2

to be encountered greater than in any part of Europe. Of course these difficulties are not insurmountable even if persons go alone, or with, perchance, only another; but there is no doubt that in no other country is the pleasure of a tour so much enhanced by being associated with a party of friends and acquaintances, or even of strangers with no other bond than that of being fellowtourists in strange and novel scenes, than in Palestine. It must be remembered that the Tour of Palestine is made on horseback, and that the only comfortable way of travelling is by taking tents and all the necessaries for camp-life. In no other country in the world are there so many associations which link together those who visit it; and in no other country, perhaps, is the tourist so dependant for the pleasure of a tour on fellowtravellers. The most enjoyable way of visiting Palestine is by joining a party. The interest of camp-life is thereby much enhanced (see p. 7); moreover, as a question of expense, it will often happen that certain costs which would have to be borne by a single traveller would not be any greater for a party.

MONEY.

Any money deposited at the offices of THOMAS COOK and SON, will be repaid to the traveller in the currency of the countries, as required. English gold or French gold is better than paper in the East. Their circular notes of £5 or £10 are better than Bank of England notes-safer and less liable to depreciation.

MONEY-TABLE, ETC.

An English sovereign is worth 97 piastres 20 paras Egyptian tariff.

It will be observed that the Egyptian and Turkish moneys of the same denominations, do not correspond in value. In Turkish money

An English sovereign is equal to 121 piastres.

English and French gold and silver will be accepted in all chief places in the East. Egyptian money does not pass in Syria, and should therefore be changed into French or English by travellers before leaving Egypt.

PASSPORTS

With Turkish visa, are absolutely necessary for visiting Turkish dominions; and they are useful in order to procure admission to certain places of interest; to obtain letters from the Poste Restante; and to establish identity whenever required. Messrs. COOK & SON will obtain passports with the necessary visas of foreign ambassadors or consuls, on receipt of the usual letter of identification, signed by any magistrate or justice of the peace, or by any minister of religion of whatever denomination, physician, surgeon, solicitor, banker, or notary, resident in the United Kingdom. The total cost, including visa of the Turkish Consul, is 5s.

DRESS.

It is always desirable in travelling to dispense with unnecessary luggage, at the same time it is necessary to be well supplied, especially if the journey is to be prolonged for months. For gentlemen, light tweed suits, and a flannel suit, with a suit of darker material for wearing on particular occasions; this latter is of course not absolutely necessary, but some prefer when attending divine service, or making any special

visit, to wear garments of this kind. Woollen stockings and strong boots, flannel or cotton shirts; slippers, and light shoes, a mackintosh suit, white umbrella lined with green, felt hats, or "helmets" with puggeries. Ladies are recommended to take a good woollen costume, not heavy; one or two of light texture ; and a serviceable dark silk. Among the

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES

which it may be found advantageous to take, may be mentioned, leather drinking-cup, and a pocket filter, leather straps, small strong writing case, with writing materials, a ball of twine, a good serviceable pocket knife, green spectacles, if the eyes are at all weak; needles, thread, tape, buttons, and other similar articles which will suggest themselves to every traveller; soap, a pocket compass, a blue or green veil, as a protection not only against the glare of the sun, but also the dust; a botanical case, or if this cannot be obtained, a tin canister, in which roots, etc., may be preserved. Magnesium wire or torches should be taken to supplement the lights provided at the dark tombs, temples, etc. Any special "hobby" that the traveller may have should be provided for before starting, such as sketching blocks, botanical presses; provision should be made beforehand, if the traveller intends to prosecute geological or entymological researches, etc. A good field or opera-glass should be taken.

HEALTH, DIET, ETC.

DIARRHOEA may sometimes be guarded against by keeping the abdomen warm; the usual remedies applied at home may be resorted to here; concentrated tincture of camphor, arrowroot, rice-water, etc., may be taken, while fruit, meat, and all fatty substances should be abstained from.

HEADACHE is generally the result of exposure to the glaring sun. A warm bath, if it can be obtained, and if not, then cold compresses, are the best remedies. It is always well in the

East to protect the neck and head with a good broad-brimmed hat, and flowing puggerie, as sunstrokes are not uncommon.

OPHTHALMIA is exceedingly prevalent in Egypt, and to some extent in Palestine. Some consider that it is produced by the fine dust-sand wafted from the deserts, and the glare of the sun. It is more probable, however, that it is to be attributed to other causes, such as damp night air. The first remedy to apply is constant washing of the eyes with warm water; if this is not successful, zinc lotion must be resorted to, or a solution of nitrate of silver.

All travellers will do well to take special precautions to avoid exposure to damp, or cold night air.

If any MEDICINES are taken, the traveller should select those to which he is accustomed. In addition, it may be well to cal attention to the following:—

Quinine; the best thing for intermittent fever.

Zinc eye-wash.

Pyretic Saline; or,

Seidlitz powders.

A roll of sticking plaister.

A bottle of chlorodyne.

A pot of cold-cream.

Eau-de-Cologne,

and any speciality that the traveller may be in the habit of using, such as Bunter's Nervine, for tooth-ache, etc.

EUROPEAN PHYSICIANS may be met with in Jerusalem (p. 101), Damascus (p. 332), Beyrout (p. 367).

POSTAGE.

For Egypt, which is included in the General Postal Union, mails are made up in London for Alexandria, Cairo, Suez., etc., via Brindisi, every Friday evening.

Alexandria, Cairo, Suez, etc., by French packet, via Marseilles, every Tuesday, morning and evening.

For Smyrna, via Trieste, every Tuesday, morning and evening.

For Smyrna, via Marseilles, one week Wednesday, morning and evening; and the alternate week Thursday evening and Friday morning. (Enquiry should be made at the Post-office as to the dates on which the mails via Marseilles leave.)

For Smyrna, via Vienna, every Friday evening and Saturday morning.

For Jaffa, Syria, and Jerusalem if specially addressed, by French mail, every alternate Tuesday, see Postal Guide.

Letters by Brindisi to Alexandria take seven days in transit, by Marseilles nine days.

There are daily mails from Alexandria to Cairo, Suez, Ismailia, and Port Said. Letters for Upper Egypt are forwarded daily.

For the Syrian Coast and Palestine, the French mails take from twelve to fifteen days.

To most of the above-named places letters can be registered at a charge of 4d.

Money Orders are issued for Alexandria, Suez, Smyrna, and Constantinople at the following rates—for £2, one shilling; for £5, two shillings; for £7, three shillings; for £10, four shillings.

BACKSHEESH.

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Everywhere, from morning till night, the traveller will be tormented with applications for backsheesh, which has been called the alpha and omega of Eastern travel. It is the first word an infant is taught to lisp; it will probably be the first Arabic word the traveller will hear on arriving in Palestine, and the last as he leaves it. The word simply means a gift," but is applied generally to gratuity or fee, and is expected no less by the naked children who swarm around the traveller when he arrives in a village, than by the enlightened officials of the Custom House, or other public institutions. If each traveller would make it a rule never to give backsheesh, except for some