The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-16 00:00:00

EGYPT.

ALEXANDRIA, Oct. 7.—On the 23d of September
the public reading of the Sultan's firman, constitut-
ing Said Pasha Vizier of the Ottoman Empire and
chief of the vice-regal family, took place at the pa-
lace at Ras-el-teen, the firman of the Viceroy hav-
ing been read at Cairo on the 7th of August. A
suitable place was prepared in the Palace enclosure,
which was carpeted and surrounded by benches
for the grandees and all the European consuls,
who attended in full uniform, and the enclosure
was filled with all descriptions of troops—Lancers,
Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Artillery, and Infantry.
On the approach of the Sultan's envoy, bearer of
the firman, the Viceroy advanced towards him,
and, on receiving it, respectfully put it to his
mouth and forehead. His Highness than handed
it to one of his suite, who, rising on a bench, read
it out aloud, after which an ulema got up
and pronounced a short discourse, ending by a pe-
tition to God to protect his Highness, and to grant
him a long life. This firman was a remarkable
specimen of fine workmanship, the words being
elaborately written in gold on vellum.
After the reading Said Pasha entered his palace,
and in his reception room all the Ministers and
officials in the country made their obeisance to his
Highness, and the Princes, his brothers, nephews,
and cousins, had to follow the example, with the
exception of Ahmed Pasha, the heir apparent to
the Government, who was not present.
Several steamers have arrived here with invalid
soldiers from the Egyptian army that was sent to
Greece. The appearance of these poor men was
desolate and squalid in the extreme, and great
numbers of them have died in Macedonia. The
reinforcements of Egyptian troops for the Turkish
army are only awaiting the arrival of some steamers
for their conveyance to the seat of war.
Said Pasha has been absent from Alexandria for
the last four days, having proceeded by land to the
westward to inspect the fortifications along the
coast, and also, it is believed, not to see the Hon.
C. A. Murray, late Consul-General in Egypt, who
is expected on his way out to Persia, between
whom and the Viceroy there exists no friendship.
The Viceroy has given his sanction and authority
to a company composed principally of Frenchmen,
to start steam-tug boats on the Nile, for the con-
veyance of the produce of Egypt down the river.
There has also been some question about Said
Pasha farming out the revenues of the Transit au-
ministration, and thus making of it a greater Pao.

nopoly than it is at present ; but it is to bo hoped
that such representations will be-made to his High-
ness that ho will not carry out this project, which
would do great injury to British interests, and
would undoubtedly Check further improvements
in the transit through Egypt, for which improve-
ments there still is ro9m.

Lord and Lady Haddo arrived here on the 29th
of September, in the Faid Gehaad, from SOuth-
ampton, and the Viceroy has placed at their dis-
posal one of his .a ling boats to proceed up the
Nile.

Trade has been .very brisk, at advancing prices
for wheat, the Greeks anticipating a rise. Wheat
has been sold at 41s. per qr. free on board; beans,
31s. per qr.
Freights aro heavy at Gs: per qr,, and large
vessels find employment with difficulty, as there
is very little cotton for shipment.
Exchange on .London, 93 piastres per pound
sterling.