might be more tragic; but so many things seem gone with him into the
grave. Many indeed will mourn that kind, wise, steadfast man--_Antiqua
fides_. No one nowadays will be so noble with such unconsciousness and
simplicity. I have bought two Coptic turbans to make a black dress out
of. I thought I should like to wear it for him--here, where 'compliment'
is out of the question.

I also found a letter from Janet, who has been very ill; the account was
so bad that I have telegraphed to hear how she is, and shall go at once
to Alexandria if she is not better. If she is I shall hold to my plan
and see Beni Hassan and the Pyramids on my way to Cairo. I found my kind
friend the Copt Wassef kinder than ever. He went off to telegraph to
Alexandria for me, and showed so much feeling and real kindness that I
was quite touched.

I was grieved to hear that you had been ill again, dearest Mutter. The
best is that I feel so much better that I think I may come home again
without fear; I still have an irritable cough, but it has begun to have
lucid intervals, and is far less frequent. I can walk four or five miles
and my appetite is good. All this in spite of really cold weather in a
boat where nothing shuts within two fingers' breadths. I long to be
again with my own people.

Please send this to Alick, to whom I will write again from Cairo.



March 10, 1863: Sir Alexander Duff Gordon