The acquisition of a powerful empire, independent of the Porte, appears to have been the grand, and almost the sole, object of the present Básha of Egypt. He has introduced many European sciences, arts, and manufactures; but all in furtherance of this project; for his new manufactures have impoverished his people. He has established a printing office; but the works which have issued from it are almost solely intended for the instruction of his military, naval, and civil servants.[[648]] A newspaper is printed at another press, in the Citadel: its paragraphs, however, are seldom on any other subject than the affairs of the government. It is in Turkish and Arabic. Sometimes, three numbers of it appear in a week: at other times, only one is published in a month.[[649]]
I have candidly stated my opinion, that the policy of Mohammad ’Alee is in several respects erroneous; and that his people are severely oppressed: but the circumstances in which he has been placed offer large excuses for his severity. To judge of his character fairly, we should compare him with another Turkish reformer, his [late] nominal sovereign, the Sultán Mahmood. In every point of view, he has shown his superiority to the latter; and especially in the discipline of his forces. While the Sultán was more closely imitating us in trivial matters (as, for instance, in the new military dress which he introduced), Mohammad ’Alee aimed at, and attained, more important objects.[[650]] When we would estimate his character by the massacre of the Memlooks, a fact most painful to reflect upon, we should admit that he had recourse to this horrid expedient for a most desirable end; and may at the same time place in the opposite scale the asylum which he granted to the Greek refugees when the blood of their countrymen ran in the gutters of Constantinople.
Since the publication of the previous editions of this work, events have occurred which will doubtless occasion still more important changes in Egypt. Many changes in its government have, indeed, already been made; but the country is still in a state of transition; and under such circumstances, I can only express a hope, that Mohammad ’Alee, knowing his true interests, and acting upon those sentiments which he has frequently avowed, of anxiety for the welfare of his people, and for the general improvement of his territories, will fulfil those expectations which his numerous admirers have so often and so strongly expressed. It is difficult even to form a just estimate of the general conduct of Mohammad ’Alee in past times, since the commencement of his career in Egypt, on account of the secrecy which is maintained in the East in the most important political affairs: this, however, may be said with certainty—the people whom he governs have been greatly impoverished under his rule; but they have exchanged anarchy for tranquillity, and undisguised fanaticism for an affected toleration; while many of them have been instructed in sciences and arts which must eventually be highly beneficial to the nation at large.
APPENDIX A.
FEMALE ORNAMENTS.
The ornaments of the women of Egypt are so various, that a description of them all would far exceed the limits which the nature of this work allows, and would require a great number of engravings, or be useless. I shall, however, describe all the principal kinds; and these will convey some idea of the rest. If the subject be not interesting to general readers, it may at least be of some use to artists, who are often left almost entirely to their own imagination in representing Arabian costumes and ornaments. I first describe those which are worn by ladies, and females of the middle orders.
The head-dress has already been mentioned, as composed of a “tarboosh” and “faroodeeyeh” (or kerchief), which latter, when wound round the former, is called “rabtah.” The front part of the rabtah is often ornamented with spangles of gilt or plain silver, disposed in fanciful patterns; and in this case, the rabtah itself is generally of black or rose-coloured muslin or crape, and always plain. The more common kinds of rabtah have been described.
The “mizágee” is an ornament very generally worn. It is composed of a strip of muslin, most commonly black or rose-coloured, folded together several times, so as to form a narrow band, about the breadth of a finger, or less. Its length is about five feet. The central part, for the space of about twelve or thirteen inches, is ornamented with spangles, which are placed close together, or in the form of diamonds, etc., or of bosses; and at each end, for about the same length, are a few other spangles, with an edging, and small tassels, of various-coloured silks. Sometimes there is also a similar edging, with spangles suspended to it, along the lower edge of the ornamented part in the middle. The mizágee is bound round the head; the ornamented central part being over the forehead, generally above the edge of the rabtah; it is tied behind, at the upper part of the rabtah, and the ornamented ends, drawn forward, hang over the bosom.
