The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-29 00:00:00

EGYPT.

. _
A letter from Alexandria, dated Sept. 18, says—
Beyond the mere fact that the Viceroy is still at
Constantinople, we have net:intelligence whatever of
his movements. Nor is it accurately known when
he will return to FgYpt. rt is said that he speaks
,r river,
Pasha,,
of remaining until at least the-middle of- next
month, and it is not unlikely' that he may. do sp,
though, on the other hand, no Otte would.' feel Much
surprised if he were to arrive at Alexandi:la.ne.xt
ands
t smoothl
el
these rhuclPCv alreadye whichge "otoek:ti laostfli beenbPi
flight
assiduously occupied with the administration of
week.
of
pbua public
kl
of
fff Ismailta:affairs,
s
that were
alone interrupted by certain Bedouin raids on both
sa-
tisfactorily disposed of. On the western side a ma-
rauding band, said to have come
,from the'
oasis of
Siwah, attacked and plundered some of the .fellah
immediately sent to the spot, Nit
the
retreat
f
they attacked a post of irregulars in the fayoum, of
settlers
th e on
arrivalthe edgeof
a small
theall body desert.e Theytrepp s
whom 14 men are said to have been killed in the
affray. In the east a body of Bedouins had ad-
vanced from Syria for the purpose of attacking a
rival tribe, but they also promptly retreated 'on
hearing that a small body of regular troops had
been despatched against them, accompanied by tm,o
light guns, the desert Arabs, by the way, entertain-
ing:a most wholesome dreadof anything in the shape
of artillery. The Government has ,c9ntrived to cap-
ture one of the chiefs, who is at this momentim-
prisoned at Cairo, and the garrison of .El Areesh,
the frontier station between Egypt and Syria, has
been reinforced.

These matters at any other time would have af-
forded ample food for discussion, but we are now on
the eve of the new cotton season, and the attention
of the whole country, from the wealthiest land-
holder down to the poorest fellah, seems absorbed
in the contemplation of the dazzling prospects with
which the new campaign is opening. A few occa-
sional lots as yet, it is true, very trifling in quan-
tity, are already appearing in the Alexandria mar-
ket, and, although more than doubtingly accepted
as new cotton, they are realising enormous prices.
Ismail Pasha and Mustafa Pasha, the two largest
producers in the country, have commenced cau-
tiously selling comparatively small lots for forward
delivery, and their prices have rapidly risen to 60
dole. the canter. Cotton is, in short, at this moment
fully three, perhaps nearly fourfold, what at any
other time would have been considered its nature.
value. An immense amount of wealth seems, there-
fore, destined to pour into the country within the
six months. According to moderate computations,
the incoming crop will amount to considerably more
than 1,000,000 of canters, and unless an abrupt
and seemingly unlikely change takes place in Ame-
rican affairs, little if at all less than £8,000,000
sterling will be required to pay for it.
It is gratifying to be able to add that in the midst
of these brilliant prospects, it does not seem likely
to be overlooked that the same causes that are ope-
rating so much to the advantage of the Egyptian
planters are inflicting great and undeserved dis-
tress in the manufacturing business, whence these
vast amounts are to be derived. Halim
Pasha, lam informed, has already sent a sum of
£2OO to aid in the relief of the English operatives,
and that without waiting absolutely to secure any
portion of the benefits of which the prospects arc be-
fore him. This example will, without doubt, be
followed by others, and the act, honourable as it is
to the Prince's good feelings as well as to his intel-
ligence, will, I feel assured, not pass without duo
appreciation from all conditions of Englishmen.
The arrival at Alexandria of Mr. Foublanque,
lately appointed legal Vice-Consul for Egypt, and
the pending reorganisation of the Consular tribunals
have again been postponed for a while. It would
appear, also, that we are now seriously threatened
with the concession of a right, or rather of an obli-
gation to "trial by jury." it may illustrate tle
almost complete absence of intercourse among the
British communities settled in the Levant that up
to the present we know nothing of the matter ex-
cepting by rumour. But it is reported, among
other things, that in the memorial transmitted
from Constantinople her Majesty's subjects in
Egypt are represented as joining in the petition.
The report has occasioned a good deal of amusement
among some persons, and no small anger among
others. A counter-petition is already spoken of,
and nothing but some more authoritative informa-
tion on the subject seems to be required in order
that it be carried into effect. Without, in fact,
wishing to judge for our countrymen at Constan-
tinople and Smyrna, it is here universally felt that
a system of juries would be anything but adapted to
the circumstances in which we are placed at Alex-
andria. The practice that has been in use up to the
present time, according to which the business of the
consular courts is conducted by the Consul as judge,
assisted by two assessors, has invariably given per.,feet satisfaction, whether to the English, Maltese,
or lonians. The two last-mentioned elements of
the community are not composed of classes in gene-
ral capable of appreciating either the duties or the
privileges that belong to the system of juries. Of
this, were it necessary, many proofs could be cited,
sufficient to show that the ends of justice are
likely to derive but poor service from any such
change in the old practice. Among the English
inhabitants there are certainly not above 40 persons
whose age and sex or the nature of whose oc-
cupation could render themselves available, and by
them the oft-recurring obligation to serve would be
simply looked upon as an intolerable tax, uncom-
pensated by the slightest substantial advantage to
the general community. Let me add that
justice is very cheap in the consular tribunals, and
shat the European population, English as well as
foreign, has a decided penchant for litigation.
The forthcoming visit of Prince Napoleon
t
too
Egypt has it is said, been officiallyannounced
the Government, and although contradictory
rumours are at this moment afloat, extrmsive pre-
parations have been arranged for receiving the
Prince with special honours.