PREFACE TO THE SEVENTH
EDITION.
 

The short descriptions of the principal Egyptian
monuments on each side of the Nile between Cairo
and Khartum, printed in the following pages, are
not in any way intended to form a " Guide to
Egypt." They are drawn up for the use of those
travellers who have a very few weeks to spend in
Egypt, and who wish to carry away from that
country some of the more important facts connected
with the fast-perishing remains of one of the most
interesting and ancient civilizations that has been
developed on the face of the earth. The existing
guide books are too full, and they contain too many
details for such travellers. Experience has shown
that the greater number of travellers in Egypt are
more interested in the remains and civilization of
the ancient Egyptians than in the history of Egypt
under the rule of the Persians, Ptolemies, Romans,
Arabs, and Turks. It is for this reason that no
attempt has been made to describe, otherwise than
in the briefest manner possible, its history under
these foreign rulers, and only such facts connected
with them as are absolutely necessary for a right
understanding of its monuments have been inserted.