usin, I write to you in despair: That 'party,'
your husband, puts me off with a post-card to this effect, 'Have seen
W-----ll, no chance for outsiders,' and does not tell me a word more. I
wish you would write all you know about it. Another matter. Had the old
man left me his money or any chance of it, I should have applied for
permission to take up the old baronetcy. But now I shall not. Your
husband is the baronet and he can if he likes assume the "Sir" at once.
Why the devil doesn't he? Of course I advise him to go through the usual
process, which will cost, in the case of a baronetcy, very few pounds.
Neither he nor you may care for it, but think of the advantage it will
be to your children. Don't blink the fact that the British public are
such snobs that a baronet, even in the matrimonial market, is always
worth L50,000, and it is one of the oldest baronetcies in the kingdom.
Do take my advice and get it for your eldest son [St. George Burton]. As
I said before, your husband might assume it even without leave, but he
had better get 'the Duke' to sanction it. And don't fail to push the
man, who won't even claim what is his right. Que diable! Am I the
only article named Burton that has an ounce of energy in his whole
composition."

Chapter XX. 31st March 1877 to 27th December 1879, Midian

Bibliography:

55. Sind Revisited. 1877. 56. The Gold Mines of Midian. 1878. 57. A.E.I.
(Arabia, Egypt, India) by Isabel Burton. 1879. 58. Ogham Runes. 1879.
59. The Land of Midian Revisited. 2 vols., 1879.

90. "The New Joseph." 31st March 1877-21st April 1877. 19th October
1877-20th April 1878.

Burton now felt that the time was ripe to broach his views concerning
the golden Chersonese to the Khedive (Ismail), and having easily
obtained leave from the home authorities, he proceeded straight to
Cairo. The Khedive, impressed with his representations and enthusiasm,
promptly consented to supply funds, and "the New Joseph," as Burton was
now called, began preparations for the expedition that was to make both
Egypt and himself rich beyond computation. Then followed a conversation
with Haji Wali, whom age--he was 77--"had only made a little fatter and
a little greedier," and the specious old trickster promised to accompany
the expedition. As usual Burton began with a preliminary canter,
visiting Moilah, Aynunah Bay, Makna and Jebel Hassani, where he
sketched, made plans, and collected metalliferous specimen