GROUP IN THE SLAVE-MARKET IN CAIRO

THE market in which formerly these devoted beings were to be bought, is no longer one of the sights of Cairo, for the black slaves are kept at the mosque of Kaïtbey, without the city, whilst the Circassians and Georgians, as well as most of the Abyssinians, remain in the private houses of the well-known dealers, where these poor wretches are to be seen awaiting a change of masters.

That which is held without the city, in the court of the mosque, was visited by Warburton, who says that he was received by a mild-looking Nubian with a large white turban wreathed over his swarthy brows, and a bernoose or cloak, of white and brown striped hair-cloth, strapped round his loins. "He rose and laid down his pipe as I entered, and led me in silence to inspect his stock. I found nearly thirty girls scattered in groups about an inner court. One or two looked sad and lonely enough, until their gloomy countenances were lighted up with hope-  the hope of being bought! Their faces were for the most part woefully blank. Their proprietor showed them off as a horse-dealer does his cattle, examining their teeth, removing their body-clothes, and exhibiting their paces. He asked only from twenty-five to thirty pounds sterling for the best and comeliest of them. The Abyssinians are the most prized of the African slaves, from their superior gentleness and intelligence; those of the Galla country are the most numerous and hardy. The former have well-shaped heads, beautiful eyes, an agreeable brown colour, and shining smooth black tresses. The latter have low foreheads, crisp hair, sooty complexions, thick lips, and projecting jaws." It is a group in such a scene that our Artist has sketched, and in which many are seen huddled together in hitherto undisturbed repose.       

The Crescent and the Cross