The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-06
scenes in Cairo.

, All nations are represented here, There
is no better place to observe the panorama
of Cairo life than from the front piazza of
Shepherds Hotel, which is well protected
from the sun by an awning. 1t seemed as
, If great kaleidoscope was hung up before
our eyes, and that through it we saw at
every glance constant succession of new
scenes that interested us from their nov
city. Dancing dogs, performing monkeys
jugglers of every description, donkeys and
donkey boys, splendid carriages with out
riders liveried footmen and Arab runners
in their turn amused us. There were also
men of every shade of color, or every COM
plexion, the Copt, the Bedouin, the Nubian,
the full-blooded Negro, the Jew, the Greek,
the Barbarian, the Turk, the Syrian, the
Frenchman, the Englishman, each consti-
tuting distinctivetype so far as the out
ward manifestation of the characteristics
that distinguish his own race from that of
others is concerned each bearing in his
own bosom the preiudices that belong
per Sc" 10 his own nation never ANAL
gamating nor assimilating to those with
whom he comes in daily contact
Some of the first things that strike the
eye are the mosques, with their tall and
graceful minarets, so slender and delicate
that ii almost seems as if hard wind
would blow them down. AS the Cathe-
drals are to Italy, so are the Mosques to
the East They are, for "the faithful"
fitting places where they assemble daily
and practice their devotions. They are
sacred shrines, and so sacred that many of
them were shut to all but the faithful,
until within a few years. Now silver
key will unlock their doors, and provided
the shoes that have been worn in the
streets are removed, all can at the present
time gain admittance, but not to their
regular services. At these all are exclud-
ed but the Moslems and as in their eyes
the Moslems are the only real candidates
for Paradise, it would be proclamation TO
allow the outside world to sit in solemn
assemblies and hear the Koran read. There
are no bells on the minarets, hence the
Muezzin, from the upper, outward gallery
of the minaret, in his loud, shrill voice,
calls the people to prayer.
There are about four hundred mosques
in Cairo. 1t would be matter of surprise
to see so many mosques at the East, if we
did not know that Mahomet encouraged
his wealthy followers to build as many
mosques as possible, promising that every
one who should build mosque on earth
should have one in Paradise covered with
diamonds, and filled with all kinds of
precious stones, and that the builders
should be crowned with eternal happi-
ness. The tombs and mosques of the
Mameluke kings, called by some the
Tombs of the Caliphs, were formerly mag
nifcent, but are now rather dilapidated.
The Citadel itself is an interesting place
to visit. 1t is on an eminence overlooking
the city and the surrounding country
hence the view from it is very grand and
imposing. The fertile land of Goshen is
on one sideiand the Pyramids on the other,
with the River Nile in the distance, and
the Great Arabian Desert lies beyond.
There are high walls aud massive gates
TO the Citadel, and it is well fortified. An
enemy who should gain possession of its
nights could at once send shot and shell
into Cairo. II was here that the well.
known tragedy was enacted by Mahomet
All, one of the boldest, cruelest, and most
Efficient of all the Pashas that have gov
erned Egypt. He became Jealous of the
Mamelukes, who had ruled Egypt pre-
vious 10 his accession. Though they
manifested friendshipfor him suppose
he Judged them by himself and as he re
sorted to every measure TO remove all the
obstacles that came in his pathway, lie
secretly feared they might consider tina:
he was in their way so he invited them
to n sumptuous dinner to celebrate the de-
parture of his son, Toussan, who was set
ting out a warlil1e expedition TO extermin-
ate some of their enemies. These unsus.
picious Mamelukes came-gaily attired in
their gayest colors, with their noble horses,
equally adorned with their rich caparisons.
After the feast was ended and they pre-
pared TO depart, they found the outer
gates locked. Then there crept into their
bosoms cold tremor-that q snare had
been laid for them was evident, and soon
apparent, for signal being given, there
was an indiscriminate massacre of these
gallant men and every one pershed, save
Emin Boy, who found breach in the
wall, and with an insane desire for life,
fragrant gums and spices, was deposited
in cases, often curiously adorned with in
cidents in the life of their tenant AL.
though great numbers of these mummies
have been, for many ages, wantonly de.
stroyed, it is said that many millions still
remain in the extensive catacombs which
line the banks of the Nile
Singular custom prevailed, on occasion
of the death of any distinguished person
age. The deceased, of whatever rank.
was placed by the shore of the nearest
lake, with boat in waiting to carry him
across. Two-and-forty judges, seated on
the bank, listened to any criminal accusa-
tions which might be preferred against
his former life; and If these were sub
stantiated, the cherished rites of sepulture