The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-12 00:00:00

EGYPT.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
CAIRO, DEC. 4, 1838.—There are many discussions as
to the course the Pasha will take respecting the treaty
entered into at Constantinople. It is so vague in its phrase-
ology that it will admit of fifty different interpretations. It de-
stroys "monopoly," but it does not define what is meant by
monopoly. The monopolies of Egypt have no resemblance
to those of Turkey ; the latter consisting principally of pri-
vileges granted to individuals ; the former growing out of
the possession of the soil, with which the Sovereign is in-
vested. Before Mahomet Ali's time Egypt produced
scarcely any article for export, she now gives from 120,000
bales to 1.50,000 bales of cotton, large quantities of opium
and indigo, linseed, rice, and many other articles ; but this
is in consequence of the erection of canals, and the digging
more than 50,000 wells, and divers other agricultural im-
provements, all of which have been made at the expense of
the government, and of which, it is true, the government
has had the benefit. But it seems to have been wholly
forgotten—perhaps nobody at Constantinople knows the
fact—that a great portion of Mahomet Ali's dominions never
at any time belonged to the Porte ; and though the Porte
has the same fancy of assuming sovereignty over independent
states that we had, up to the treaty of Amiens, in calling
our Sovereigns " Kings of France," and as the Sicilian
Monarch still has of styling himself " King of Jerusalem,"
the Sultan has even pretended to dominion beyond the
southern borders of Egypt, while Mahomet Ali's African
dominions extend to the frontiers of Abyssinia on the south-
east, and Darfour on the south-west. Slight as is the hold
of the Sultan even on Egypt or Syria, on Arabia and Nu-
bia he has none at all. Arabia had been taken from him,
and was recovered by Mahomet Ali. Nubia and Senaar
no Turkish Sultan ever possessed. It is amusing to see
your Newspapers—under Constantinopolitan promptings—
talk of Egypt and its dependencies as if they were simply
provinces of Turkey. Happen what will, you may be as-
sured of this, that no Pasha nominated by the Porte will
ever again govern Egppt. Even in Tripoli, weak and
wretched as it is, the Sultan cannot set up a Pasha—one
after another has come—to be overturned—but be can
neither find troops nor trilmte. And in Egypt, the attempt
to nominate, on the part of the Porte, might introduce,
indeed, some confusion, and anarchy and bloodshed, but
will never introduce a ruler. Indeed, hard will be that
Turk's fate who attempts to set aside the succession of
Mahomet Ali.
The English in Egypt take the deepest interest in the
question of steam navigation to India. The whole affair is
most disgracefully managed. The delay of the correspond-
ence between London and Malta is shameful. Why are
our letters to be taken into one port after another in the
Peninsula to suit the lagging interests of a trading company ?
Why do not competent steamers proceed directly to Alex-
andria ? Why are we left exposed to the dishonesty of
the French authorities, who, as every body knows, are in
the habit of opening our correspondence, if we avail our-
selves of the communication by Marseilles. We ought to
receive our letters in 1.5 days, yet 25 days generally pass
before we get them. The French steamers outstrip us in
punctuality and expedition. All our steamers are badly
constructed, inefficient, and unfit for the service. The
Volcano, now at Alexandria, of 750 tons, has only two en-
gines of 70 horse power each. She ought at least to have
250 or 300 horse power. Under the most favourable cir-
cumstances she can only make eight miles an hour. The
Blazer is the best, but this is in consequence of having
changed her engines. We hope the English public will be
somewhat more awakened to the importance of this subject.

- -
was arrested on Sunday at Paris, upon a war-
The Count de St. Cried, son of the French Mi-
nister of State, who was long at the head of the department
o
The marriage of Captain Washington Hilbert, of
Bilton Grange, Warwickshire, with Mrs. Charles Talbot,
widow of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot, daughter ot.
rafnCtuosftotmhes,King's Attorney.
Sir J. H. Tichborne, Bart., was solemnised on Thursday,
the 10th inst., at the Catholic Chapel, Spanish-place, by
the Rev. J. Reardoe ; and afterwards at St. George's, Ha-
nover-square, by the Very Rev, the Dean of Carlisle. The
marriage was strictly private. The bride was given away
by her cousin, the Marquis of Sligo.
His Excellency General Maya arrived at his house
in Harley-street on Thursday, from a visit to Sir Robert
and Lady Peel, at Drayton Manor.