The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-24

though many are Arabs or halE-casts thel
are darker skinned, some quite black, and
have woOlly hair. They are supposed tc
be better servants and more faithful thar
the Arabs. The kavasses are also foot
men Of a different description; they sit on
the box Of the carriage, answer the door
ETC., and are generally handsomely dressed
in the same style but their costumes are
made Of rich cloth, embroidered or braid.
cd, and they wear in their belts scimital
and dagger or pistol. But the most grace
ful costumes Of all are those Of the syces
These men run before the carriages oi
before riders barefooted, with long cane
like whips without lashes. and clear the
road for the drivers Il Is quite impossi-
bic in Cairo to drive or ride without a syce,
as the streets are thronged with carts, hor-
ses, donkeys, camels, carriages, and people
in indescribable confusion and as no par
ticular side is kept, without syce 70 clear
the road it would be next to impossible to
move. The syees wear white trousers to
the knees, from thence downward the legs
and feet are bare, colored scarf round
the waist. white shirt with long sleeves,
which are carelessly tied behind, of snow
white lawn; and these flying out behind
as they run, give the appearance Of wings,
and are particularly graceful asplendidly
embroidered waiseeoat and crimson fez,
with black tassel, complete this costume
The waistcoats of the syces are the most
beautifully embroidered Of all the servants,
and great deal Of money is spent upon
them; the more gold used in the embroid-
cry the more handsome they appear.
The jackets Of the syccs Of the Khedive
are a mass of gold, and look beautiful He
and those Of his family and harem, usually
drive with two or more syces in front Of
the horses; every one else in Cairo drives
with one syee. Life in Cairo for the court
and other inhabitants, usually commences
pretty early in the morning. His high
ness, the Khedive, whose talents and en-
ergy are well known in Europe, is one Of
the earliest to commence the business Of
the day. He attends himself to every
detail concerning his own country and the
administration Of its affairs, as well as
being thoroughly accomplished in the
manners, customs and governments Of the
countries of Europe while his far-seeing
genius and generosity in the improvements
being carried on 50 muni6cently and ener-
getically throughout the country, might
well procure for him the title of Ishmael
the magnificent.
All the great fetes, receptions, etc, are
generally commenced early in the morning,
and, as his highness usually retires rather
late in the evening, frequently, if not cc-
cupied in the affairs of the country, to be
seen at the opera or theatre, some idea
may be formed of the immense amount of
business with which he taxes himself; and
the talent and energy which can support
so severe strain upon the mental powers.
There is no doubt that the early morn
ing Is the most beautiful time in Cairo.
During the warm weather, in October and
the carly part Of November, it is the most
refreshing time of day; the air--of which
there is always abundance--is balmy and
sweet, and until nine or even ten o'clock
remains unheated by the sun; and then
in the cold weather, although in the early
morning it seems frequently almost frosty,
50 sharp is it, yet the effect then Of good
walk or ride is as bracing as they would
be in England by the seaside. At about
eleven o'clock, or between that and one
O'Clock, most of the Cairo world Of fashion
sits down to a substantial lunch-breakfast,
and by halfpast one or two o'clock nearly
every one is out, shopping or paying calls,
and from this business passing on to the
inevitable drive in the Shoubra, where you
usually meet most Of your friends enjoying
themselves in calm drive in this bcanti-