Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The numerous portraits of him to be seen in Paris, particularly popular
since Lord Londonderry’s letters have made his fine, melancholy,
majestic face familiar to the world. He is little more than forty-five,
and has a countenance which, but that Eastern countenances deceive, one
would feel inclined not only to admire, but to trust. It is hard to say
whether the French would do right to confide in it, but certain it is
that he is the object of deep admiration. His large, mournful, gazelle
eyes, his calm, beautiful mouth, and his rich, jet-black beard, have
gained many a heart, both male and female; but his misfortunes are too
interesting, too romantic, too _piquants_ to be lightly parted with, and
the French will probably keep the lion still caged as an object on which
to exercise their sensibilities, unless indeed, the dispossessed owners
of Amboise should take his place.
Sometimes the Emir would appear on his balcony accompanied by the ladies
of his suite. One of them is said to be still young and very handsome.
This is the report of a young Frenchman, whose patient curiosity was
rewarded on a happy occasion, when the veiled fair one withdrew the
envious screen of her beauties one day, imagining that she was
unobserved, that she might the better gaze upon the fine river, and feel
the soft breeze of an evening in June upon her cheek. Occasionally some
of the children of the captives may be seen playing round their parents,
as they stand motionless, looking from their high position. These little
captives are of all shades, from white to ebony hue, and are by no means
so silent or so still as their elders, for they clamor and climb and
twist about upon the parapets in a manner quite startling to those who
are watching them from below.
Some time ago the Bishop of Algiers, passing through Amboise, stopped to
pay a visit to the Emir; he exhorted him to resignation—alas! what else
could he preach?—and received the same answer as the illustrious
prisoner always gives to those who seek to console him.
“I gave myself up on the sole condition that I should be conducted to
Alexandria, in order to go to Mecca, where I desired to finish my days.
The promise was given me: I ask for nothing further and I rely on the
justice of Allah.”
The bishop said prayers in the exquisite little chapel of the castle
already mentioned, as so beautifully restored by the unfortunate Louis
Philippe, and which is in itself the most perfect specimen of art ever
beheld, with its marble pictures of St. Hubert’s miracle, its elaborate
doorways and vivid glass painting, rivaling the antique. A pretty little
sentimental service was got up, of which the Arab captives were made the
heroes, numerous prayers being addressed to Heaven for their welfare,
both of body and soul. Probably the prisoners really felt grateful for
the attention, even though neither the priest nor the shrine had
relation to their own belief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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