AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8284, 17 June 1890, Page 5

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

" REMINISCENCES OF EGYPT." A MEETING of the Auckland Institute was held* last evening. It was one of the bymeetings which have been arranged for the winter course to make the gatherings fortnightly instead of monthly, the by-meet-infrs being intended not for the transaction of "business, but to hear lectures, etc. There was a large attendance last night, and Air. James Stewart, C.E., president, occupied the chair. He introduced Sir Wm. Fox as a matter of form, remarking that he hardly required to be introduced to any community in New Zealand, and adding that his reminiscences of a country, the, oldest in civilisation, could not fail to be interesting. Sir William Fox, in introducing his lecture, said that the history of Egypt naturally divided itself into ancient and modern. He would say little as to modern Egypt, and would confine his remarks mostly to Ancient Egypt. A few remarks were, however, necessary on modern Egypt, as they found the English people were now governing Egypt. He explained how this was brought about by the over-borrowing of the Egyptians, and the unwise expenditure of borrowed money. The French and English were the principal lenders. He then led up to the causes of the English occupation of Egypt, and the history of the Suez Canal, and its construction. He referred to the steps previously taken for the construction of this Canal, and to the purchase by Lord Beaconsfield, on behalf of the British Government, of the Khedive's shares in it, and said that when last he (Sir Wm. Fox) passed through the Suez Canal he passed 72 British ships to three of any other nationality. After that it became clear that Britain had a right to interfere in Egyptian affairs. As regards Modern Egypt, he said it was occupied by a half starved and over-taxed peasantry. The peasantry was uneducated to the last degree, and the last degree of wretchedness prevailed from Alexandria to Cairo. He drew attention to the peculiarity of the overflowing of the Nile. It was unlike other rivers, lull in summer and empty in winter, and this was the source and origin of the fertility of Lower Egypt. Toots talked of fertilising rivers, but there was no other fertilising river than the Nile, except it may be the Mississippi, for all other rivers ran below their banks and drained the moisture from adjacent lands. It was entirely owing to the inundation of the Nile that there was any fertility at all in Lower Egypt, for there was no fertility a foot beyond the mark to which the Nile had risen. Sir William then gave a graphic description of the city of Cairo, with its many minarets and domes, and showed photos of the mosques, etc. He also described some of the characteristics of the people, more especially the donkey drivers. Sir William then passed on to the history of Ancient Egypt.'describing its temples, tombs, mummies, and the historical records which were discovered, and which elucidated the life of the early Egyptians. He afso described the caves which he had visited, and the innumerable mummies of reptiles and animals as well as human beings which were disposed in them. He also described the pyramids, obelisks, and other monuments of ancient Egyptian architecture, and illustrated his remarks by exhibiting some fine water-colour printings of the scenes he described. In conclusion he referred to the great men of Egypt, concluding with a reference to the noble and unselfish character of Moses. On the motion, of Dr. Pukchas, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Sir William Fox by acclamation. The Ciiaikman announced that the next meeting would take place that night fortnight.