, 1861-04-25
Travels in Egypt.

In 1887, Ignatius PalIme, Bohemian by birth,
undertook a journey to KOrdofan, one Of the most
southern provinces Of Egypt, on commission Of
exploration from q mercantile establishment at
Cairo, with aview to commercial objects. Pallme
seems to have been eminently fitted for the under
taking. lie had resided sufficiently long in Egypt
to become familiar with the Arabic and colloqui1l
dialect of the people, and former excursions towards
the interior had made him well acquainted with
native habits.
KOrdOfan was originally peopled by nomadic
tribes from the Nubian mountains, one OF which,
called Mount KOrdOfan gave its name to the plains
below it and most of the surrounding country.
These were subjugated in 1873 by the King oil
Shennaar, Ia country bordering upon Shoa) who
in turn was conquered by the Sultan Of Darfour
and Melcks governed the country in the name Of
the Sultan of Dariour from lTS4tO 1921. During
this epoch the country was prosperous.
Commerce extended in all directions; caravans
brought the produce from Abyssinia, the interior
Of Africa, and from Egypt, into the two towns oil
LObed aud Bnra, whence the greater part was
again transported into other countries. Album
dance might be said to reign everywhere, and there
was no want Of any neccssaries, whilst all were
wealthy, and even the women Of the less Opulent
inhabitants wore golden rings in their noses and
ears, and many even golden bracelets and silver
anklets round their feet No other metal but gold
or silver was to be seen in the decoration Of the
women, and many female slaves even wore gold
about their persons. Agriculture and cattle
breeding fiourShCl and there were few inhabitants
in the country who did not, to a certain extent,
devote themselves to commerce. The whole pop
uatiOn, in fact. lived free from care, and was
wealthy; singing and dancing resOunded from place
to place; IN snort, thiS Was the golden age Of
KOr,lOian.
An iron aye was approaching. In 1921, Ma
homct Ali undertook the conquest Of kOrdoian.
A brigade Of $500 infantry and cavalry, attended
wi 800 I}edOuins, and eight pieces Of artillery,
were sent IN the expedition. The men Of kOrdO-
fan defended the freedom Of their country with
desperate valor, und severe battle was fought
near LObcid, the capital; but, unprovided with
firearms, all resistance was ultimately vain. The
town was plundered and nearly wholly sacked, and
the wliOlt country surrendered, with the exception
0f u distant mountain tribe.
KOrdUEan was now annexed to Egypt, and o
sOn-in-aw of Mahomct Ali, who healed bis troops,
was made governor Of the province. This man
speedily acqur d, under the title Of the defturdar,
the infamous reputation Of a Nero. Ii is difficult
to believe that monster could exist in human shape
capable oi the acts Of cruelty reported Of him by
former arican Travellers, and now confirmed; but
we are told that many persons are st II living whose
testimony could be adduced as eyewitness Of his
leetlS Of horror and themselves sufferers by his
cruelty. Pallme says:
l may. perhaps, be permitted to Illustrate
few traits in the character Of this ruthless tyrant
by narratng some Of his leats; it will then be-
come evident that this fourishing country could
but sink in a very short time. us the natural con-
sequence Of his oppressive tyranny; and that
considerable period must elapse before It will be
able to recover itself but slightly.
"A soldier who had stolen sheep from pea
SAINT was caught in the very act. He not only
refused to return the stolen goods, but even NAL
treated the peasant COnfiding in the equity Of
his cause the latter thought he should more prob
ably have justice done him by the governor than
by any one else and entered a complaint against
the soldier The delturdar listened very patiently
TO the story but, when the peasant had finished,
the tyrant accosted him in an angry voice with
the words: Aud with these trifes you trouble
mEr Then turning 10 his attendants, he ordered
the peasant to be brought before the kadi they
understood Immediately that he meant, by the kadi,
cannon carried the poor wretch immediately 0f,
and bound him to the mouth Of the gun, which
was instantly fired.
His very servants, consisting not only Of slaves,
but Of free Arabs and Turks. although they might
be regarded as his executOnCrs stood In great awe
Of him, for he punished the slightest offence Of
which they might be guilty with every imaginable
species Of cruelty. Thus it hap ened that one Of
these servants was tempted to dip his fingers into
dish to taste it. The dcfturdar, unfortunately,
observed the act. He demanded Of the unhappy
man, in an ironical tone, whether the dish was
sweet or sour. The servant was naturally mute
with fear. The deiturJar now ordered him to be
nailed by the tongue to the door, aud his face TO
be smeared with honey, in order, rs be expressed
himself, to stimulate his gustatory faculties. In
this position the unfortunate man had to pass two
full hours. 1t took long time before he recOv-
cred, and variety Of remedies were required to
heal his tongue.
"A seyss or groom, whose Office is according TO
custom in Egypt, to run before the rider, was in
capable Of keeping up with the delturdar from
absolute fatigue, in long and quick trot. The
tyrant struck him with his whip TO quicken his
face. The unfortunate man, who was, however,
quite exhausted, as may be supposed, did not be-
come more active after this remedy had been ap-
piled. For this offence the unnatural barbarian
had his feet bound TO the tail of horse and ordered
the animal to be driven through the streets Of LO-
beid by two other seyss. The unhappy groom
would, no doubt, have met his death in this man
ner, were not the streets paved merely with fine
sand Thus he received many wounds but none
Of which proved mortal The horse unaccustomed
to such uscge, turned suddenly round, and struck
at the unfortunate seyss who in desperation, seized
the animal with all his remaining strength by the
head and, to save himself bit his upper lip. No
attention was at first paid to this slight wound,
but in short time the head Of the horse began to
swell, and i eventually died. The seyss, who was
covered with wounds, however, survived the tor
ture.
"A man gave his neighbor, IN QUARREL box
on the ears; the latter brought complaint against
him beiOre the defturdar. With which hand did.t
thou strike thy Beighbor9 asked the tyrant.
= With the right answered the peasant. Well
rypliel the dcturdaF, that thou mayest not fnrgct
Il, shall have the flesh removed irOm the palm Ol
that hail' This Onler was Immediately executed
Now return TO Thy work. said ihe dellanlar 10
the sufkrT. who, Writhing with pain. replied In