Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921). L.A.S. with drawings, Novem - Lot 45

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921). L.A.S. with drawings, November 29, 1900, to a "dear friend"; 7pages in-8 (small mourning, traces of tabs). Beautiful letter on Egypt, illustrated with hieroglyphs. He sends, as promised, "the traveler's manual in Egypt [drawing] (the front eye in the profile head!) [follows a line of hieroglyphs]. There are boats that go directly from London and Liverpool to Egypt; they are large and comfortable; for someone who is in England and does not fear the sea, this is the best means of transport. You can go 1° via Alexandria. - You can spend two or three days resting in Alexandria, which is well worth a visit. The temperature there is already much milder than in Europe, and you can enjoy it with delight. From there, an excellent railroad takes you to Cairo along an interesting and picturesque route. Beware of thieves; my hat was stolen, and I arrived in Cairo bare-headed, like the dogs. 2° by Australian boats, disembarking at Port-Saïd, from where you can still reach Cairo by rail. The Australian boats are enormous and splendid. In Cairo, get off at the Hotel Bristol, near the Esbékieh garden. Then look for a boarding house in the Ismailia (?) district (well, the district that stretches between Theater Square and the Nile). There are all kinds, from the most luxurious to the most modest, and they're all pleasant, if only because the neighborhood is dotted with gardens. Now you can go to the other side of the Nile, to the Gesireh Palace Hotel. It's in the high price range, but it's a paradise - it's the palace that was built for Empress Eugenie - in the middle of a park, in a marvellous site. N.B. Do not attempt to climb the Great Pyramid. Ah! how I'd love to spend the winter in Cairo too, if I had more time!