"Like Hamlet's father, I am 'forbid to tell the secrets of my Prison house,' and consequently can give no definite address. However, I am far away from harm, and Cairo (about 50 miles from both - the terms are synonymous), and our present camp is pitched in the vicinity of the battle ground where Sir Garnet Wolsey (sic) defeated Arabi Pasha in 1882.

        "We spent nearly a month at Heliopolis, and were able to see a good deal of that city, of Cairo, and of the ancient ruins near by. With the exception of the Pyramids, the most interesting place visited was Takkara. A nine mile ride from the railway station of Badrechein took us past two colossal statues of Rameses II, which were wonderfully preserved. One was carved from a block of granite and was still undamaged, save where the hand of vandalism had broken its limbs.

        "Further on we came to the Pryamid of Teta - the oldest in Egypt, 600 years older than that of Cheops - and had lunch under its great refreshing shadow. In the afternoon we visited several tombs of Ancient Egyptian notables, and examined and admired the beautiful bas-reliefs carved on the walls.

        "While in Cairo on picket duty I was under the command of our esteemed colleague, Lieut. Smith. He appeared quite well and happy 'in his element'.

        "I am writing in a crowded Y.M.C.A. tent, with two draught players at one elbow, with good (in the quantitative sense) conversationalists all round me, while a Chaplain of Scottish birth rolls and reverberates his 'r's' in true Scotch fashion - a little further up.

        "You will, therefore, please excuse all faults of omission and commission, and accept this apology for a letter, a poor thing, but mine own. Remember me to the staff and students."

                Yours sincerely,
                        JOHN McCALLUM.