CHAPTER III.

National Topics of Conversation--The Rising of the Nile; evil effects of its rising too high; still worse consequences of a deficiency of its waters--The Nilometer--Universal Alarm in August, 1833--The Nile at length rises to the desired Height--Ceremony of cutting the Embankment--The Canal of the Khalidj--Immense Assemblage of People--The State Tent--Arrival of Habeeb Effendi--Splendid Dresses of the Officers--Exertions of the Arab Workmen--Their Scramble for Paras--Admission of the Water--Its sudden Irruption--Excitement of the Ladies--Picturesque Effect of large Assemblies in the East 27