The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
liberty to enter.
It is a sad thing, certainly, to view the breaking up of a large
family; but it would be a sadder thing to witness vice unpunished, and
harmony arising out of the reckless indulgence of unbridled passions.
Abbas Pasha himself, if report speaks true, has little in his private
life to plead for lenity in judging of his public character. His taste
leads him to the most trifling amusements. Just as of old, when he was
the supposed head of a kind of Conservative Turkish party, when he was
Governor of Cairo, and silently nourishing his ambitious schemes, he
spends time and money in the undignified, though not inelegant, and
certainly innocent, occupation of a pigeon-fancier. Near the new
palace which he is building (none of these Turkish princes seem to
care about living where their fathers lived before them) rises a
magnificent square tower, entirely devoted to the loyal winged
favorites of his Highness the Viceroy, who is reported to be quite
learned in this department of natural history. Another of his tastes,
for which Englishmen will have more sympathy, is for horses; and the
public will remember his bold challenge to the Jockey Club. In what
way he passes the remainder of his leisure hours we do not inquire;
but we give him, in common with his relatives, the advantage of an
excuse that has before been urged in their favor--namely, that of an
infamous education.
Abbas Pasha has not exactly carried out the views which were
attributed to him before he reached his present elevation. He has not,
for example, done all that his fanatical anti-Frank friends could
expect in shaking off foreign influence. He began, it is true, by
getting rid, in rather a hasty and shabby manner, of many Europeans,
chiefly English, in his employ; and showed a disposition entirely to
put a stop to that enormous blunder of the Barrage. His first, and
very wise impulse, was either to destroy the works altogether, or,
abandoning them, simply allow the river to work its own majestic will.
But a clamor was raised on all sides! After throwing so many millions
of dollars into the river, why should not a few millions more be
thrown? I believe the French, who have a fondness for this undertaking
because it was suggested by or through Napoleon--(the Osiris of his
day is parent of all wonderful inventions)--I believe, I say, that
France made it almost a national question; and so this work, which
already impedes the navigation of one of the finest rivers in the
world, and which, if successful, would only achieve an object that one
quarter of the expense in the establishment of steam-engines at
various points for raising water would effectually accomplish, is
allowed to drag on slowly towards its conclusion. We must give Abbas
credit for the courageous good sense which suggested to him that the
first loss was the best; and yet we must not withhold from him some
praise for yielding to the influence of friendly persuasion, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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