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THE EGYPTIAN ARMY.

"you do not run about after antiquities; your object is wholly political."

"Not wholly, may it please your Highness; but having learned from history what Egypt was in old times, I am curious to discover its present resources and military strength; and on this point I should feel extremely flattered if I could obtain permission to ask your Highness a question."

You have my permission: say on."

"Your Highness has doubtless been informed, that a statement of the nature and amount of your forces has appeared in the Malta Gazette. Now, I wish to know from your Highness whether I may depend upon the correctness of that statement; and, if not, I would then inquire what the real amount may be."

He now paused for a moment, casting a half-angry, half-scrutinising look, first at me, and then at Mr. Harris. Coffee, also, was at this moment brought in; and I feared that the conversation, thus interrupted, would not be again resumed. However, in a few minutes he replied: "I have not hitherto exactly ascertained the amount of my forces, which are widely scattered about in the various provinces of my dominions; but, I assure you, the statement of the Malta Gazette is altogether incorrect; as I may venture to assert, in round numbers, that my army amounts to quite double the number there stated.*

* Eighty-five thousand men. The Pasha did not appear to be acquainted with the author of that statement, who, however, was perfectly well known to me; as were also the grounds upon which it had been made.

However, as people have begun to calculate my strength, I will, to confound them, cause an exact return of my troops to be made; and, on your return from the upper country in the spring, you shall be presented with a copy of the official document. At present I cannot give you the precise number; but, I repeat it, the account in the Malta Gazette is altogether false."

"I thank your Highness, and will rely upon your promise. At the same time, I may, perhaps, be permitted to observe, that the sooner this document is placed before the world the better, as the affairs of Egypt now command considerable attention in Europe; where, in fact, the eyes of all politicians are fixed upon your movements; and unless uncontradicted in some distinct and positive manner, it is to be feared that, on this and other points, the assertions of the Malta Gazette, the Moniteur Ottoman, and the Gazette of Smyrna, will be credited."

He answered, in a somewhat hurried manner, "I have hitherto been accustomed to reply to words with actions but since the Sultan lays so much stress on words on the articles of a mere journalist *

* It is confidently believed in Egypt that the Constitutionnel is the property of Mohammed Ali, and people usually speak of it as "the Pasha's paper." For myself, I give no credit to the report; but mention it that the editor of that able paper may have an opportunity of putting forth a formal contradiction; which, as far as Egypt is concerned, seems absolutely necessary. Perhaps the idea may have been strengthened by the puerile stories which have been circulated in Europe respecting the Pasha's partiality for that journal, of which he has been said to be a constant reader. Even Count Alexandre de la

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NEWSPAPER INFLUENCE.

I also will have my newspaper, which shall be published here at Alexandria, in French and Arabic. The editor, a very able man, is already engaged; and all the steps are taken which can ensure its speedy publication."

"No one can doubt that your Highness has acted prudently; for the influence of newspapers is incalculable."

"And yet," he replied, in an altered manner, and as if he repented of what he had said, "and yet, I am so very indifferent about these matters, that the idea would never have occurred to me, but for my suite, who all counsel me to have a journal. I merely yield to their representations."

.

At this, not being quite a courtier, I could not repress a smile, while I observed, "Your Highness's suite, in my opinion, are very judicious persons, and counsel you wisely; for, after all, the opinion of Europe is of some consequence."

At this he seemed to start as from a dream; became fidgety upon his divan; and, making a slight movement towards me, replied, in the most animated manner, Oh, do not mistake me: I am not indifferent about the judgment which the world may

Borde has contributed, I am told, to the maintenance of this ridiculous error, by observing that "On peut tout attendre d'un homme qui lit le Constitutionnel;" though he must have been aware that Mohammed Ali understands no European language. When a journal contains an article which may be supposed to be interesting to him, it is translated into Turkish for his use: but he has too much good sense to confine himself to any particular paper.

PASHA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

55

form of me; and of this I will give you a convincing proof. For a For a long time I have been engaged in composing the history of my own life. During every moment which I can snatch from public business, from the affairs of my people, I am attended by a secretary, whose sole employment it is to write down what I dictate, in my own words; and to obviate the objections which might be urged against a history of so long a period, composed from recollection, I may remark, that nature has endowed me with a very strong memory. I can describe, as if they occurred yesterday, events which took place forty years ago. In consequence, my biography will be very full. It will contain the history of my youth, before my arrival in Egypt. I shall describe the state of this country when I came into it; and all the events, of any importance, which happened during my military expeditions in Nubia, Sennaar, Kordofan, the Hejaz, and Syria."

XXV. While delivering this harangue, with great fire and emphasis, he seemed to feel unusual enthusiasm. He sat more upright than before; his features grew highly animated; he smiled, and appeared, for the moment, to contemplate with pride the elevation on which fortune had placed him. I observed however, that, in the enumeration of his achievements, no mention was made of the destruction of the Mámalooks. Doubtless, as he ran back over the track of memory, the recollection of that bloody day presented

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FORTS OF ALEXANDRIA.

itself among his brighter reminiscences, like Satan among the sons of God; and conscience may, moreover, have whispered that his hearers also remembered the event: but pleasurable feeling predominated, and gaiety sparkled in his eyes. Without

allowing him time to cool, I continued my inquiries:"And what time does your Highness think it will require to complete the history up to the present time? I also, perhaps, may desire to give some account of your Highness's life, and should consider myself fortunate in obtaining access to materials so original and valuable."

"Ah, that is very uncertain. The work is long, and my moments of leisure are few. It cannot possibly be finished by the time you return down the

river."

XXVI. I now turned the conversation into another channel. "Your Highness is not, I am aware, accustomed to grant travellers the permission to visit the fortifications of Alexandria, particularly the Castle of the Pharos, and the battery on the point of Ras-el-Teen; and, therefore, though extremely desirous of examining them, I scarcely know how to ask such a favour." At these words he opened his eyes, and darting at Mr. Harris a look, in which the words "What the devil have you brought here?" were clearly implied, he bit his lips, and was for a short time silent. He then directed a scrutinising glance at me, and replied, "Yes, you may visit