The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-28

, a. H., TO; noon, 10; 8 z. ID, 70; r.
H., "a; midnight, Ga. ~: - ~
Mean temperature. 76t.
General Colssen's Lecture at tho
white on. the Khediye. -
WHITE SULPHUR SPREEas. August 3D.
General Collation. delivered very interesting
lecture yesterday morning in the ballroom
TO fair audience on Egypt, the proceeds to
90 to the relief OF sufferers by the, yellow
fever. He divided his subject into three
parts, Including ancient. medieval, and
modern Egypt, giving most attention to the
latter. and hence relating whatahe himself
had observed OF its government, lnstltu-
tions, and people, their manners and GUS.
toms. While admitting the extraYagance
OF the late ruler OF Egypt, he defended MS
character as man Of breadth, enterprise,
and humanity. Contrary to his predeces-
sors, he bad always been careful OF human
life, and tolerated nothing wastefui or recR-
less ia that regard. .,s5u .!..I-1 'e.
With regard to Egyptian finances, the
General did not hesitate to condemn Eu.
ropean policy. In carrying out great en-
tcrprises, which had resulted more to the
benefit OF other nations than to Egypt it
seif-as, for instance, the Suez canal-those
nations, or rather their citizens, had made
the Khedive loans at exorbitant rates. He
had only got -e70 for the G100, and that at
Il per cent, making the rate actually 70
per cent. No nation could stand perma-
uently such usury as that, and when finally,
with famine aff1icting great portion OF the
country, by reason Of inundation Of the
Nile, the people were unable to pay their
taxes, and the Khediye asked for time. he
was refused it. 1t was true he had preyi-
ously compromised with bis creditors, de-
termining to pay them only 6 per cent. on
the money actually received, and they had
accepted it hut then came the famine, and
thousands jn the up-country having perish.
ed OF hunget, the Khedive determined to
make no further present eXactlons upon
the stricken region. FL :.... -.
The foreigners, however, through their
| Governments, demanded their interest, and
| took those measures for controlling the
| Khedive's finances by which he was uiti-
mateIy dethroned. In this process the
English and French commissioners had
displayed their own rapacity in monstrous
degree by first giving TO themselves inordi-
nate salaries, as well as to large number
OF attaches that they brought with them
| into the country.
A clerk who had formerly been getting
| ESQ year in q London bank would be in
stalled In the Egyptian finance department
at GS00; and soon to M indefinite extent,
till it would seem that their sisters, their
cousins, and their aunts were amply pro-
yided for. One Of the extrayagances Of the
Khedive had been the eXpending Of S15,-
100000 on palace; but when he addressed
himself finally to the etfecting Of econo-
mics. and had given up bis, great fortune in
lands, &C., the system OF the foreign com,
pot or oil n
in the work Of reform. The education OF
the Khedive had been obtained in the best
schools Of France, and in every department
of knowledge and action be had displayed
great abilities except in that OF finance.
With regard to the Egyptian army and
its easy overthrow in the Abyssinian war,
General Colston explained that it was mostly
made up OF Felahs, the original natives OF
the country, who as subject race con-
ouered by the Mussulmans, it were easy to
| train most perfectly in all the mere routine
| of a soldier, but not having the aspiring
motive OF interest In the Government or
country, with no hope and no scintilla OF
the idea OF patriotism, they bad nothing to
fight for, aud hence would not stand up to
| their enemies in battle. Men must have Il
motive-a high motive-he held, else they
will not fight and accept death as inevitable.
On the subject of marriage and divorce
in Egypt General Colston much Interested
his lady auditors. The late Khediye had
been exemplary in this matter as compared
with high-rank Turks. Generally marriage
among the people was by negotiation be-
tween parents, the bride and groom not
seeing each other at all until all settlements,
ceremonies, and festivities were over. With
his or her friends each party paraded the
| streets with carriages, heralds, &C., or SIM
ply on foot, according to their respective
wealth or station, the bride closely yelled.
These professions may pass each other,
but there will be no intermiugling g
till the marriage is consummated. Di-
vorce is simply by the arbitrary will
OF the husband. He has simply to
say, Thou art divorced" and the deed is
done; but he may take her back by formal
short process OF remarriage before {
cadi. This he may do twice, bu
the third divorce is final. This he
may accomplish in lump by declaring
at once that "Thou art divorced three
|times," and the poor wife has no re
iIsdress. The General mentioned one such
kease that came under his observation BY
Treason OF the distress Of the wife, bu
].wheTe the man soon after repented OF hi
lact, and, as there had been no witness tt
jhis declaration .of the threefold divorce, th'
parties ignored the law, went to the near
est cadi, and got themselves remarked
| The ladies in the audience, by their laugh
| ter and smiles, appeared to rejoice very
much in the triumph OF the wife.