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BROGEDE REJSEBILLEDER (MOTLEY IMAGES OF TRAVEL) BY ELISABETH JERICHAU-BAUMANN, “EGYPT 1870”1
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 February 2010
Extract
I departed hospitable Athens on the first of February, the city of Pallas Athena glowing in the evening sun. My Greek Palace-servant Spiro had taken me to Piraeus in a Vienna-cart, where my numerous belongings were stored. It was the last minute to still be able to reach the ship, and steam could already be seen as we came closer to Piraeus. I am not the most punctual person, but when it is really necessary I can be on time. This time, however, it was a close call. Instead of being able to pack my own things, like other people of my standing, with my own hands or with my servants’, two of the most loveable and highly regarded people appeared on my threshold. The lady wore Turkish spectacles in front of her lovely eyes, the gentleman smiled warmly. And who were the lady and the gentleman? No less than His Royal Highness King George of Greece and his majesty's lovely Queen! “Mrs. Jerichau, you will not be ready, can we help? Here is a hairbrush and there is a silk ribbon you are forgetting, and your sketch book.” All this was put into the luggage, along with many pleasurable things “for the children.” These small things were later unpacked in Copenhagen with much enjoyment and laughter. At the same time, the carpenter was waiting who still had to box up my recently finished paintings. Truly, he had to wait, and Mrs. Jerichau tip-toed from the innermost rooms to the entrance hall, away from the swelling suitcases, which seemed to be filled up more and more as if by fairies, while the owner ran away from them towards the carpenter outside, and again away from the carpenter – a Greek who only poorly understood her, and who had even poorer understanding of how to pack pictures. Because he had not brought with him enough of the boards made in the King's palace, he had to make do with thin wooden bars such as one uses when sending chickens to the market. Out between the bars, the beautiful “Girl from Hymettus” and her companion, the “Shepherd on the Acropolis,” peeked. Finally, everything was ready, Mrs. Jerichau made as deep a curtsey as she was capable of, and thanked [her guests and helpers] from the bottom of her heart, but secretly did not believe that she would manage to reach the boat in time.
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Footnotes
1.
Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann. “Ottende Kapitel. Ægypten 1870” (“Egypt 1870”). Brogede Rejsebilleder (Motley Images of Travel). Med 20 Illustrationer. Kjøbenhavn: Thieles, 1881. 40–52.
References
NOTES
2. 1 ocas = 2 lb (weight measurement) [R.O.].
3. Long garment or robe reaching down to the ankles [R.O.].
4. Pipe, esp. in Turkey or former Ottoman Empire and Iran (Persia). See also hookah [R.O.].
5. Long Turkish tobacco pipe. See also narghile and hookah [R.O.].
6. Turkish armed policeman or courier [R.O.].
7. Literally: seven things (German); luggage [R.O.].
8. Fellah, fellahin. A peasant in Arab-speaking countries; in English applied esp. to those of Egypt. Also used figuratively [R.O.].
9. The title of the viceroy or ruler of Egypt, accorded to Ismail Pasha in 1867 by the Turkish government [R.O.].
10. In mingled confusion; in a rush [R.O.].
11. Literally: everything as at our place (French); as at home [R.O.].
12. Towns in Denmark [R.O.].
13. Interpreters. Strictly applied to a man who acts as guide and interpreter in countries where Arabic, Turkish, or Persian is spoken [R.O.].
14. Oriental term for a gratuity, present of money, “tip” [R.O.].
15. The ground story of a building, either on a level with the street or raised slightly above it; said esp. of buildings on the European continent [R.O.].
16. Shared table for diners at a hotel, restaurant, tavern, etc., at which a set menu is served at a stated time [R.O.].
17. Servants, attendants [R.O.].
18. Court shoes [R.O.].
19. 1 alen = 66 cm, so the booth is 6–8 sq feet [R.O.].
20. Ground floor room [R.O.].
21. Large sailing-boats, used by travellers on the Nile [R.O.].
22. 40 degrees Celsius [R.O.].
23. Hot southwesterly wind in Egypt, coming from the Sahara [R.O.].
24. Abode, guest house [R.O.].
25. Literally: something that has not existed before (German); unusual [R.O.].
26. Literally: he who has choice has torture (German); so many choices so little time [R.O.].
27. The Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens is a venue in Paris famous for its productions of operetta and opéra comique, especially those of its founder, the composer Jacques Offenbach [R.O.].
28. Special type of lace; originates in a small English town in Devonshire [R.O.].
29. Languid [R.O.].
30. Literally: So much the better (Italian) [R.O.].
31. Curl-paper [R.O.].
32. Literally: what to do? (French); what could one do? [R.O.].
33. Legendary character based on the historical Ivan Mazepa (1639–1709), who signifies either a daring rebel or disgraceful traitor. See also Byron's Romantic poem, in which the eponymous hero is, after his affair with a Countess has been discovered by her husband, tied naked to a wild horse, and the horse is set loose [R.O.].
34. The first is a German proverb; the second its witty inversion. Literally: out of the rain into the gutter; come out of the frying pan into the fire; things can only get worse and more unexpected [R.O.].
35. Striking [R.O.].
36. Literally: “Here we are, Madame, hurry up, adieu. Take care of your poor eyes.” (French) [R.O.].
37. Literally: “Mister, please be careful with my hats.” (French) [R.O.].