The Story Teller of the Desert—"Backsheesh!" or, Life and Adventures in the Orient

The book follows a wandering narrator as he sets out on a year‑long grand tour across Europe and the Near East, driven by a desire for both pleasure and profit. Along river routes, desert caravan trails and bustling market towns he records the sights, sounds and customs he encounters, often with a wry, conversational tone that makes even the most remote customs feel familiar. The early chapters blend amusing anecdotes—such as a playful duel over a wine cellar—with useful observations about geography, climate and local etiquette.

Equally striking are the lavish illustrations that accompany the text; nearly three hundred drawings and engravings bring bustling bazaars, Nile ferries and Turkish hammams to life. Readers can expect vivid portraits of travelers, comic sketches of mishaps, and detailed views of historic monuments, all rendered by artists working in London, Paris and New York. The result is a lively, picture‑rich narrative that entertains while offering a snapshot of 19th‑century life in the Orient.