The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-11 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF EGYPT•

ALEXANDRIA, AUG. 30. —His Higness Mehemet Ali,
who left Constantinople on the 17th instant, arrived at
Alexandria on the morning of the 24th, after calling at
Cavalla and Candia, on his way.
The same Turkish steamer, the Esseri Djedid, which
took his Highness to Constantinople, brought him back
to Alexandria, accompanied by the Egyptian steamer
Siout, which conveyed the Viceroy's suite.
His Highness was saluted by all the forts in and
about Alexandria, and all the shipping in the harbour,
with manned yards, and dressed, at three different times
—on the steamers making their appearance round the
lighthouse-point, on their coming to anchor in the har-
bour, and on the Viceroy's setting foot on shore. Three
thousand troops, in their best attire, with clean stockings
and blue jackets, were drawn up in front of the palace to
receive the Viceroy with military honours on landing.
His Highness wore on his breast a most brilliant vizieral
decoration, and a miniature portrait of Abdul Medgid,
given to him by the Sultan himself; and all the mem-
bers of the Viceroy's suite, includine, his two Greek
merchant friends, were decorated with the Nishan Ifta-
char, a Turkish order.
For three nights after the Viceroy's arrival the whole
town of Alexandria, all the shipping in the harbour, and
the Palace at Ras-el-Teen were illuminated. The Frank
quarter, and particularly the houses and gardens of the
Pacha's Greek favourites, were very splendid with trans-
parencies arid Turkish and Arabic inscriptions, amongst
which the most conspicuous were the following
Mehemet Ali, thou art the protector and hope of
Egypt ; thou art the soul and light of commerce."
" In war thou art a lion, thy name is everlasting."
" 0, Mehemet Ali, do live a thousand vears."
" lie went with glory and respect, and returned with
power and good fortuee."
" May the Government of Mehemet Ali and bis pos-
terity remain for ever."
Mehemet Ali drove about the town in a most gorgeous
new carriage and six horses, which he has recently got
out from France, and which cost him 3,0001. sterling.
His (Ugliness seemed very well pleased with this demon-
, stration of goodwill and respect on the part of the resi-
dents of Alexandria, especially as he went about with a
Turkish Pacha, who accompanied him to Alexandria
from Constantinople, and his Highness no doubt expects
that, on his return to the capital, he will relate with
what affection he is treated in Egypt.
The Viceroy stopped for a short while at the houses
of his Greek merchant friends, where he partook of ices
and coffee, and he was vociferously cheered by the Frank
population.
During the whole of the three nights, both the Arab
and Frank populations of Alexandria were walking about
the town enjoying the brilliant scene, which was height-
ened by calm and pleasant weather. Mehemet Ali
seems highly gratified with the splendid reception given
him by the Sultan at Constantinople. His Highness has
come back in the Turkish dress, which is neither
European nor Asiatic, and is far less becoming than the
genuine Nizam dress. Whoever has travelled in the
East, and has seen the old Pacha in his Nizam dress,
and still more, in the full robes and ample turban of the
Mameluke style, will be grieved to think that the pre-
sent ideas of Turkish court etiquette should compel his
Highness to wear close-fitting European trousers with
straps, and a stock! But the Pacha will, no doubt; put
this ungainly costume on one side, and return to the one
he has been so long accustomed to. The Viceroy's navy
at present wear the Turkish uniform, consisting of tight
trousers and jacket; it is to be hoped that this non-
descript dress will not be introduced in the army, as the
present full robes are far more befitting the Arabs.
It is known that the Viceroy has expended, during
his stay at Constantinople, at least 50,000 purses
(250,0001. sterling, or 1,250,000 dollars) ; and it has
been remarked that his Highness would have done some
wood indeed hail he given a dollar to each of the
1,250,000 of poor nif;erable fellahs who inhabit Egypt,
instead of throwing away his money most lavishly at
Constantinople, upon people who only. show. an outward
feeling of friendship towards him, but in their hearts are
his bitter enemies.
However, his Highness has always shown himself a
very clever and intelligent man ; and the largisses of
the Viceroy at Constantinople were certainly not made
for the sole object of display, but for some other purpose
unknown ; perhaps, to obtain the pashahc of Syria or