A pilgrimage to the temples and tombs of Egypt, Nubia, and ...

280 TIPSY TURKEY.
bird is killed, a glass of brandy is poured down
its throat, which produces complete intoxication,
and the flesh of the tipsy turkey acquires a ten-
derness superior to that which is produced even by
long keeping — a system that would be imprac-
ticable in this climate. This method of condemn-
ing the unhappy turkeys to go out of the world in
a state of Moslem reprobation, is a curious bear-
ing out of the " die and be d—d " principle.
Signor Castellare visited us in the evening, and
sent me a present of fresh butter—a great dainty
in this part of the world ;
albeit I cannot taste it,
as it is made of bufFaloe's milk, to the flavour of
which I cannot reconcile myself. As I have told
you how turkeys are made tender in Egypt, I
may as well tell you also how butter is churned.
The milk is put into a skin precisely similar to
those used by the water-carriers at Cairo, and
shaken by two persons until the butter is formed,
when it is separated from the butter-milk,
washed, and melted down into jars ; this butter,
here called Ghee, has always a strong taste of the
skin, but it is nevertheless very good for culinary
purposes.
December 26th.
While w^e were at breakfast this morning, the
Turkish Government Agent paid us a visit, and