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[Page 33]
many large buildings & minarets, also a fine breakwater. The entrance is only large enough for one large steamer to pass in at a time. The harbor was full of shipping. A tug boat took up to one of the piers. Immediately a crowd of small girls (beads) & boys (wallet) also a number of men of all shades of blackness, gathered. There are were coal black Soudanese, nut brown Arabians, & light brown Egyptians. The Australian children are usually about when there is anything to see, but they are not in it with the kiddies here. The black policeman would stand & rave at them till he was white in the face, then he would chase them, & with his cane whack a few dozen, but they were at the side of the boat again before he had turned his back. They had small baskets, & were selling oranges, matches, cigarettes, etc., & collecting old clothes, shoes, or anything that was thrown to them. Everyone smokes cigarettes here.
On the road to Mena is a beautiful white building, with green shrubs, & iron railing fence. One would take it for a wealthy gentleman's residence, but it is a cigarette factory.
Oranges, very thin-skinned & delightful flavour may be purchased at four or two for a ½ piastre (1¼d.) according to the knowledge of purchaser. Right facing the entrance is the summer palace of the