1781.b.39, 15(45)

Inscription: Inscribed in the negative, 'Frith E. No. 87.'

Genre: Urban Topographical Photography

'Without any especial object of historical interest, the accompanying view is exceedingly instructive, as illustrative of the picturesque ruins of Cairo. With the exception of Europeanized streets, and occasionally a house newly built, or in repair, this presents the general aspect of the cityu. The great archway to the right is one of many such archways, preserving portions of decorations, but in hopeless ruin, and threatening the passenger with destruction. Adjoining this is a karakól, vulgarly karakón, or guard-house, with its front of three arches, and its occupant taking his duty easily in the shade of the furthest arch. At every guard-house is stationed a body of nizám, or regular troops...Over, or beyond, the karakón is a ruined school-room, and further is a mosque, the upper part of the minaret of which has evidently been rebuilt, having probably fallen in consequence of an earthquake: the style of it is modern, and generally peculiar to the Turkish (as opposed to Arabian) mosques. The general style of this mosque seems to indicate that it belongs to an old period, and judging from others of its class, one can hardly be mistaken in inferring it to be the tomb of some saint...'