The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-07-01
Egyptian Homes.

Of Egyptian homes it is not possible
for the transient traveller to give de-
tailed account, owing chiefly to the seclu-
sion Of the females. The dwellings of the
wealthy citizens are comfortable and even
elegant; but an Arab village, or rather
elghborhood, is the most complete scene
of human degradation and wretchedness
on earth. During my stay here 1 have
visited two such neighborhoods- near
the railway station, and the other at the
base of Pompey's Pillar. The streets are
mere alleys, crooked and filthy as ore can
possibly imagine; the buildings are mud
huts, without floors, windows, or doors !;
the interior consists of but one apartment
for the accommodation of large family !;
most of them are destitute of all manner
of furniture, having neither divans, tables
or chairs. During the day the wretched
inmates sit in the sun before their novels,
idling away life of the value of which
they have no idea, and when the shades
and dampuess of night come on, they re-
tire to their cherries huts and lie down
upon pallets of chopped straw.
The inhabitants of these quarters are
exceedingly uncomely, indescribably FL
thy, half naked, and insensible to shame.
Opthalmia prevails to fearful extent
among them, four-ffths of them being
thus affected, giving to their countenauces
most revolving appearance. 1t seemed
impossible that human beings could have
fallen so low, lost to all that is refined,
cheering, aud holy in mans better estate
How broken must be the spirit of a peo-
pie, to live in such state, or how indf.
terent must they be to happiness, to pre-
fer idleness and poverty to industry and
wealth. And how oppressive must be a
government to doom its subjects to such
lot, and how degrading must be religion
to abandon its devotees TO such vice aud
woe.
The Frank quarter of Alexandria is
not only the most delightful portion of
the town, but forms beautiful contrast
with the Turkish neighborhood, in the
general aspects Of cleanliness, health aud
thrift. The quarter is at the extremity
of the city, tarthest from the port. In
the centre is a noble park, enclosed with
an iron railing, and in each end is spa
cious fountain, which, on pleasant after
MONS, send up their cheering jets Of
sparkling waters, to the establishment Of
Arabs and to the delight of Europeans
This park is the grand promenade for all
ranks, and in view Of different nations
represented here, the scene is often the
world in miniature.
The dwellings Of the Europeans are
large and elegant, and the fashionable
stores and splendid carriages eyiuce the
wealth ard prosperity Of the place. This
prosperity is due, to a great extent, to the
trade between India and Europe which
flows through this port, and to the fact
that Alexandria is on the great highway
or overland Ioute between the East and
West. And also the natural resources OF
Egypt are being developed under new
aud vigorous system which is proving i'm
mcnsely lucrative to capitalists, and is re-
storing the ancient prestige Of the city
that of being the grand emporium OF the
East.
In this square stands the English
Church, IA must beautiful ediice, surroun-
ded with trees and shrubbery. 1t is well
attended, and is channel of great good.
Though the government of Egypt is Mo-
haumedan, and the Pasha devoted Mos
lem, yet religious federation is enjoyed.