The New York herald., 1879-08-07
How the EX-Khedive Spent
His Days.
ORIENTAL 2 Ez7RAVAGiNcR EVERYWHERE.
Palaces Of the Viceroys, Their Construc-
fn tion and Their luxuries.
OAIRo. July 10. 1879.

those built by the khedive for his own use-Abdne,
lsmailia Gizireh and Gzeh-only this latter consists
OF nnc. large piles of buildings. Besides which is
the old palace Of the citadel. where all official cere-
monies take place. Abdine. the winter residence OF
the Khedive. consists Of an enormous square. with
projecting wing, containing the state apart
ments. This rebuilt Ave six times to my
certain knowledge. In May the Court moved to
Gizireh or Gizeh. The palace was nearly all de-
molished. to be finished in November. Every year
it was the same story. until 1877. when financial
difficulties checked such extravaganza. The
ornamentation Of the rooms was frequently
changed One day salon would be in white and
gold few days later Of light blue. with bright me-
dallion frescoes then this would be changed some
thing else. There was peace for the architect.
who had sooner finished than he was informed
that he had made should estimate the
Of Abdine at s2.500.OOO Gizeh is the most ex-
pensive of all. From the town of Gizeh to Gizireh
is distance Of something like three miles. AL this
space to have been filed up to level with the
top Of the Mile banks average of ten feet extend
ing back about one and half miles from the river.
The original idea to have laid park. in
which should stand the palaces of all the family.
1t was recognized TO be too much of
undertaking. only the grounds Of Gizeh
were filled up, the island Of Gizireh and narrow
strip between them The filling up cost nearly
consumed yohrb-cOLu-
lnencing in 1873. The palaces were also taken in
hand. There had formerly been quite large struc-
ture but this pulled down. and for four years
the inasons and stonecutters worked. His Highness
frequently inspected the works. and the walls
high enough to show the position OF
the windows and doors he frequently changed
his mind. altering often the disposition
Of rooms and suits OF apartments that the
masonry finished by averaging upward of fifty
francs per metre. instead of ten. These changes
naturally delayed the completion of the structure.
Now as the furniture all contracted for soon
as the plans were approved, naturally it deliy
srel provided for in the contracts the palace not
being ready it placed in store. or else used for
some other building. That which was stored away
became motheaten and unit for use; that. in
fact Gizeh was three four times rebuilt and twice
furnished.
ORIENTAL ExTRAvAGANCE.
The native officers who engaged as architects
give the most fabulous accounts Of the various
changes wrought during the progress Of the con-
structions and of the interior decorations There
Is one very handsome stairway leading to the state
apartments the upper floor that is said to have
cost $l50.0O0. The steps are of colored marble.
with silver railing and banister. The
grand stairway is OF white marble,
with two large lions guarding the steps.
This cost 100000. 1t is really very handsome
and effective. The palace Of Gzeh together with the
filing up of the ground. cost something upward of
$l2.500OO0. To form an idea of the extent of the
grounds the outer wall surrounding the palace and
gardens 10 10000 metres in Lengths trife six
mies--and should contain 1900 acres. Now. ~ this
wall is three metres In height and seventynv cent?
metres in thickness. we have pretty fair idea
ss to its contents. Close by SO to be under the
paternal wing, separated from this gorgeous pile Of
buildings by wood. are the palaces Of two of the
sons Hassan and Hussein. Each stands in Its
grounds aud consists OF large building for the
hsrem with long string OK buildings round the
sntrance the Sesmlik and offices.
Gzireh Is much older structure. exactly opposite
Boulsc. A strong wall rises up from the river.
the parapet OF which IL beautifully ornamented with
gilt rafting and any-colored lamps. As
possible to this wall rises the seanlik. not very
ErRe. but the most tastefully decorated OF al the
palaces. 1t was here that the Empress Eugenie
lodged during the Suez Canal festivities also the
Prince OF Wales ., when i on his way to India on to
roes and ornamentaton. 1t IL here that fstes cham
pstres arc held. A short distance north Of this
rsss the snS hsre%. Very large ana commodaoSs %
building. The gardens are marvel OF beauty. laid
lakes and we'll planted with many rare shrubs.
trees and flowers from distant lands Here for
meriy kept the geological collection. which, under
pressure Of hard times, has melted away.
The elephants were sent up to Equatorial Africa.
marching from Cairo. to NJ Broli, In latitude deg.
pages The various collections OF European
cities have been much enriched by the breaking up
OF the dizreh menagerie. which tor African animals
wss the best known. Gizireh has been inhabited by
the family OF Hassan Pacila third OF the ex-
great COST considered be- In danger OF falling.
.he foundations not being very hrm 1t has never
been occupied
THE ROAD TO THE PYRAMIDS
Further out to the northwest stands Boulac
DHcrour. palace built by Trussoum Pacha, son of
Said pacna the predecessor Of Ismail. At the time
m ape IN ND
khedval family he was married to his cousin,
Fa,ins Aanem. second daughter OF the ex.Khedive.
This palace built by Trssoum rather large,
not remarksbIy handsome, nor yet very expensive.
Ali these buildings are connected by broad avenues
course OF a few years have formed leafy archway.
that even In tho hottest weather they furnish =
comfortable drive OF about ten miles in length.
Prvm their intersection aizeh commences the
road to the Pyramids, which has been equally we'll
which though beautiful swaksns recollectons OF toll
and treasure to the poor. grosning fellah Recross
Ing the bridge OF Kasr en- Nil We have to the left the
barracks and palace from which the bridge takes
Its nanie to tue right the palace OF Ismaia. and
In front. at the intersection Of Two streets. the
smaller Ismaa. kasr en- Nil fronts on tho river
was built BY said pacha that he might be
his troops gallery connects the palace with the
barracks. There are several handsome rooms. Here.
during the season of The opera and theatre.
there from time to time private
Representations or Court concerts. Ismailia
and consists of two large buildings II was very
costly. aud has lately been occupied by Tcwhk Pacha
the reigning hhedlve. Inc smauer ismaiha IN oc-
cupied by Mahmoud Bey. II IL badly built and not
highly ornamentcd. Following along the road.
which parallel to the river we pass TIN other
palaces, one which is very large and well built:
Il was the residence of Zenab Hanenl, younger |
daughter. who died in the second of her marri
age. II has not been occupied since her death.
We next reach Kasr el Aali. This palace fronts |
on the river and dates back the time OF Ibranin
Pachs, Mehemet Alis successor. To be sure 1t was
repaired almost every year until very recently
that IL, until the financial troubles became
TOO pressing. by repairs is understood
bro do, e,stir Inn linn andp
new tne vastly more expensive. II is quite village.
II was here that most Of the ees took place at the
time OF the marriages. There In vast square IN
front ON the roadway, and here re-enacted
scenes from the thousand and one nights. Be
tween the river and hills in this quarter are quite
number OF large houses. presents to some OF the
freed women OF the haren
THE REsIpRNcE MrHKMEr
The citadel stands boldly out against the sky line
zoo feet above the level of the city This the
residence Of Mehemet All. The palace Is a very long
rambling pile Of buildings, connected by galleries.