The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-26
EGYPT.

Brilliant Egyptian Fete-Presence Of Dis
tinguished Guests-Thc Elite Of Egyptian
Society-Investment of the viceroy With tho
Insignia of tho Star of India by Lord Napier
of Magdala.
CAIRO, Nov. %, 1858.
Egypt has recently been the scene Of a series OF
brilliant Jetes. On the 10th inst. State bali was
given at the Palace OF Ras-eTn in Alexandria The
Invitations were issued in the name OF "the General
first aid-de-camp OF his Highness the Kedewen las
the Pacha Is now called) and were distributed with
more sparing hand than has heretofore been usual
on similar occasions; hence the eagerness to be pos
sessed OF the precious pasteboard was most intense.
Extraordinary precautions were taken to prevent
any personal transfer OF Invitations; indeed those
who were unable to attend the bali were recuested
to return their tickets beforehand to prevent their
possibility falling into improper hands. All the
American travellers in Egypt were furnished with
Invitations at the request Of Mr.. Hale, the American
Consul General.
His Hghness honored the ball with his personal
presence for the first time since the year 1884 Some
excitement was caused by sudden postponement Of
the evening from the 10th that first apponted) to
the l9th OF his indsposition; but he re-
covered his health perfectly to be able TO be
present the whole OF a very prolonged evening.
The palace OF Ras-e-Tin stands on promontory, ut
the entrance OF Alexan dra harbor. On arriving at
the palace gates the CUES Is passed through long
corridor embelshed w 18th military trophies, and
through anterooms cooled by Illuminated fountains;
thence they assembled the grand staircase kept by
guard OF honor OF soldiers, and entered q saloon
where the Kedewe Tor Vceroy, it Is more convent
hereditary Prince, and Cherf Pacha, his most
trusted minister. The ladies were introduced
by ushers young gentlemen selected from the elite
Of Egyptian society who pronounced their names TO
his Hghness. He bowed as each lady made her reve.
The Consuls General as they entered. were inv,ted
TO remain In TINS room with the Viceroy The other
guests proceeded directly to other apartments.
may mention that the principal ornament Of this
reception room was beautiful table presented to
Menemet All the grandfather Of the viceroy) by
the Pope Of Rome. on the edge is an inscription In
Arabic which was originally encrusted with da-
monds but the diamonds were pulled Off by Abbas
Pacha in some exigency OF the Egyptian treasury.
When the guests (of whom the humber was seven
or eight hundred. almost one-quarter being ladies)
haa m9ss ana S the left # the
few words TO some favored favored guest His aiiaps
most favorable impression Meanwhile the dancing
was proceeding most vigorously in splendid
by corridor which afforded a convenient place for
whisperings OF soft nothings to those who had be.
afterwards that behind screen which separated
part OF this corridor from the rest the Viceroy'a
harem were collected eager spectators through care
pleasures they might not participate save by sight
!. An elegant supper was prepared laid out accord
so that each party Of guests might take seats and
be served quietly. table for the viceroy was set
self Of this exclusveness, and entering the
general supper room he took his place at
tine n %s for 10 the
q very beautiful lady, as well as her husband
and the gentleman on whose arm the lady happened
at the moment to be resting. The Viceroy's physi-
clan and his Prime Minister completed the little par
ty of six at this table, and need not tell you how
mark Of preference accorded to the lady who alone
enjoyed the privilege Of sitting by mis- Hghness side.
Twill not mention her name but Will tell your readers
that she Is OF the great Northern nation whose friend
ship for America causes so many shudders in dipo-
matte circles and that by her TACT wit and beauty
she Is worthy Of any attention she may receive in the
most exalted circles Of society.
An exhibition OF fireworks upon raft moored In
the harbor opposite the windows OF the palace may
be said to have closed the entertainment at about
four O'Clock in the morning, as it was not until that
hour that the viceroy retired; but the hereditary
Prince remained even longer, ana 1t was later still
before many OF the guests could persuade themselves
scarcely had we recovered from the excitement OF
the ball when occurred the new excitement OF the
arrival Of Lord Napier OIL, 81 ,Magdala, bringing the
queen Victoria This ceremony took place at Cairo
one Of the vsceroy's palaces whence he was con-
Quoted in gorgeous state carnage, preceded by
escort OF lancers through the principal streets Of
the town Of Cairo to place called the Abasseh on
the edge OF the desert where the vceroy maintains
followed by Others containing the British Consul
General and considerable number OF the British
residents In Egypt. None or the members or the
consular body other than the British were pres
ent, this being the usage on such occasions
Arrived at the Abassieh, Lord Napier's mill
ary secretary read the letter OF the queen accred
itng his lordship to make the investture and Lord
Napier read the statute itself comforting the dignity
the viceroy made verbal reply. Lord Napier
passed the ribbon over the neck OF his highness and
placed in his hand the star. The ceremony was
brief but was followed by an excellent luncheon to
which all present were invited. There was also q
review OF troops, In which understand the excel
lent appearance OF the vcer0y's soldiers was much
commended by the British military gentlemen.
The same evening Colonel Stanton, the British
Consul General, gave dinner at his house in Cairo
ut which present the hereditary Prince Of Egypt
and the principal Minister'S rs well as Lord Napier
and his stan. Friendly toasts were interchanged
The dinner was followed by o ball, attended by
about 100 persons chiefly OF the English community
IN Egypt, and thus the Jete was most brilliantly
brought to q close.
The next day Lord Mayo the new Governor Gen.
eral OF India, arrived at Alexandria on his way to
his post but his scheme OF travel appeared to have
no connection with that Of Lord Napier, who, 1t Is
said, VIII visit the works Of the Suez Canal before
leaving Egypt.
INDIA.