The Sphinx, Vol. 14, No. 204

              December 29, 1906.
THE SPHINX.
5
THE SPHINX
THE ENGLISH WEEKLY
SOCIETY PAPER
ESTABLISHED 1892
Printed and Published in Cairo during the Season.
Editor G. I. SWANSON Business Manager W. E. Walton.
Contributions (of a non-political and non-controvers-ial nature) should be addressed to The Editor, “Sphinx’ Offices, Khedivial Buildings, Boulac Road, Cairo, by whom they will be gladly received.
All business communications and applications for advertising space should be addressed to The Business Manager at the same Offices.
Subscription for the season P. T. 25 in Egypt and P. T. 40 abroad, post free.
Price per number P. T. 2
LONDON CORRESPONDENT’S OFFICE:
36 New Broad Street.
E. C.
THE DIAMLER MOTORS.
A FAMOUS AERONAUT.
Captain Edward Spelterini, the celebrated aeronaut, gave recently at the New Khedivial Hotel, Alexandria, a most interesting seance with lantern slides reproduced from photographs taken by himself from his balloon, which excited the keenest interest, and were excellently explained by Professor Blandenier, who, in a well delivered lecture, related the undertakings of Captain Spelterini, his expeditions already accomplished, and those of which we may yet expect to read Plans, diagrams, and pictures fixed the attention of the audience and greatly interested them in the captain’s ascents over the Alps, relating the most sensational experiences of his many expeditions. The lecture included an uninterrupted series of excellent lantern slides, illustrating the beautiful scenery of the Alps with their majestic snow-topped peaks.
No more enterprising aeronaut could be found than Spelterini, who has already made 538 ascents. He has two cases of splendid views, which, thrown onto the screen, fix the attention of the audience

and might almost be said to possess the attrac-We have pleasure in calling the attention of tions of Aladdin and his miraculous lamp. Pho-our readers to the following description of the , tography has to-day reached such a high degree manner in which the famous motor cars are test- 0f perfection and cinematography is so well able ed and inspected in every detail before being fin- to reproduce scenery in its true colours that one
ally erected for sale. All work is done to limit gauges, and every part undergoes thorough checking by independent inspectors with a separate set of gauges.
This inspection system is carried on throughout the works, and engine and car testing may be considered as part of the same system.
may almost be said to view the sights in nature. But countries seen from a height on every side at once leave an entirely new impression, which almost astonishes one. Such is what one finds in the unique and original pictures of Spelterini.
In the streets of Zurich at a height of 1,000
Following out the former idea of rigid inspec- metres the buildings and the stieets lesembled tion, engine and car testing is carried out in a ribbons of silver. The difference of architecture very complete manner. Increased accuracy of between the old and new city were plainly discern-
manufacture, standardisation and material testing have largely reduced the chances of variation
ible in the perspective view which one obtained. So also were those of Basle, Lucerne, St. Gall,
in different engines, but very through engine test- | Thun, etc.
ing is still considered essential, and any “tuning j Captain Spelterini photographs of the Alps are up” necessary is done in the comfortable seclu- I incomparable. The Moench, Eiger, Yungfrau, sion of the engine test-shop rather than on the Mischabel, Dome, Mount Rose, Cervin,Aletschorn,
public high road.
In the test shop, the engine, as received from the engine building shop, is mounted on a stand and run under its own power, but without load, for 18 hours. This ensures the bearings and cylinders getting into good condition. The necessary adjustments are then made to the ignition and carburettor, and it is run against a brake for two hours at full power, after which it is taken to pieces and thoroughly examined.
If satisfactory, a final test is made to measure the torque at all speeds from 150 to 1,000 revolutions per minute, and the engine goes forward to the erecting shop with the certainty that it will “pull” well, will pick up quickly and will, in fact,
Laquinhaun, Portjengrat, and other mountains were thrown on the screen in all their majesty. Their black masses cut by the dazzling sheets of | ice with extraordinary clearness were most excellent. The aeronaut presents in this group 84 views, each finer than the other. No less interesting were the twenty-one views of Egypt, in which country Spelterini has made eight ascents at intervals, but it was not until his second visit that he paid attention to photography. The views selected by him show a great contrast with those of the Alps. His views in this country include Cairo, the Nile, the City of the Dead, tombs of the Caliphs, the Pyramids of Cheops, Cephren, and
The world is very busy “finding a new situation” for Lord Kitchener,whose term of command in India will soon be concluded. Lord Kitchener is generally regarded as above all human feelings and failings, but there many in Egypt who will say that he is one of the most sympathetic and kindly of men when he likes to give his real nature full play. Much of the severity and cynicism is assumed, unconsciously possibly, to hide rather a shy and retiring nature. When among a small knot of intimate friends Lord Kitchener is a first-rate conversationalist and an excellent raconteur. So soon, however, as he finds himself among strangers he “shuts up like a knife,” as a former member of his staff recently put it.
There is a new and true Kitchener story being told in the clubs just now. During his recent tour in northern India a non-commissioned officer in his escort became exceedingly intoxicated'1 and eventually fell from his horse to the ground’ On the following day the man was ordered to appear before Lord Kitchener, and was fully prepared for reduction to the ranks with, probably, severe punishment in addition. To his surprise, however, -the Commander-in-Chief received, him alone in his tent, with neither escort, witnesses, nor orderlies present, and gave the man a sound talking to about the folly of taking strong drink in a hot climate. This done, Kitchener went on to ask about the injuries he had sustained by his fall, and finally sent him back to his place after making him promise not to drink again while on duty. Before the man left the tent Kitchener made him promise not to repeat what had passed between them. This whole incident serves to illustrate that little-known side of Lord Kitchener’s character, which is always anxious to lend a helping hand to those under his command and at the same time will take any precaution to prevent his kindness becoming known.
do all it is expected without further adjustment. Mycerinus, and desert scenes, all of them unique
and indeed wonderful. Only an aeronaut can HOLY CARPET CEREMONY	form an exact idea and experience the trouble
which such a collection entails. What enormous
An interesting ceremony to be witnessed on Monday is the departure of the Holy Carpet for Mecca, and our readers will be glad to learn that the Egyptian Delta Light Railways have made arrangements which will enable those interested in the ceremony to witness it with great advantage.
difficulties there must be to meet with in steering a balloon in the neighbourhood of the Eiger, Yungfrau, Moench, and Matterhorn and at the same time to engage oneself in photography! Every aeronaut knows full well the troubles caused by the overcoming of simple obstacles, such as
crossing over a small forest or a river. Still more A grand stand has been erected on the outside js gUcb tjlecase at greater heights, and Spelterini’s platform of Midan station, which, being exactly photographs must be reckoned among the diffi-opposite the spot where the ceremony will take ; culties which he had t0 meet. We know how great place, affords the best view obtainable. A special | changes of wind are to be met with in the neigh-train will leave Helouan station at 8 a.m. for Mid- hourbood of chains of mountains and one can an (Citadel) arriving about 8.40 a.m., and a special easily imagine the difficulties to be encountered train will also leave Bab el Louk station at 8.30 between heights of 4,000 and 6,000 metres and in a.m. Passengers by these two special trains will finding one’s way among the clouds of those be accommodated on the grand stand, and after heights and the labyrinths of mountain peaks: the ceremony the special trains will return respect- A similar seance will be given at Shepheard’s ively to Helouan and Bab el Louk. Tickets from Hotel on January 4 at 9-30 p.m. which should be
Bab el Louk will cost P.T.25 and those from Helouan P.T. 30, and they can be obtained at the principal hotels in Cairo and Helouan or at either station.
missed by none. So interesting is the lecture and so realistic the pictures that one could almost imagine oneself to be accompanying Captain Spelterini on an extensive balloon trip.
Another new and pretty story of Lord Kitchener. When he was last in London he was induced to attend a big social function ; and amongst the many people introduced to him was an exceedingly pretty young lady, who at once exclaimed : “Oh, Lord Kitchener, I am so glad to meet you at last. I did so want to know you, and it seemed I was never going to get the chance. I can’t tell you how delighted I am !” Lord Kitchener, as is well known, abhors “gush”; but as the young lady seemed to have an especial reason for desiring his acquaintance, he said, coldly : “Indeed, and pray may I ask why you were so anxious to know me ?” more than half expecting some fulsome flattery about his greatness. Instead, however, the damsel cheerfully replied: “Why? Why because you are Toby’s uncle, of course.” “Toby’s uncle!” repeated Lord Kitchener, taken aback for at least once in
his life. “Yes; your nephew Toby----,” said the
young lady, mentioning a nephew of whose existence Lord Kitchener was but dimly aware, and adding with a charming blush, “we’ve just become engaged, you know, and I did so want to meet his uncle.” Lord Kitchener was so pleased and tickled with the idea of the importance of being “Toby’s uncle”—the more so that his nephew had nothing to do with India or the Army, and hence there could be no suspicion of petticoat influence—that he has ever since been the warmest and kindest friend to “Mr. and Mrs. Toby.”