Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-07-10
THE OLD AND THE NEW KHEDIVE.
Personal characteristics of ISmail and
of Prince TeWfik.

From De Leon's ''The Khedive's Egypt"
Ismail khedive is a man of about
forty. eight years of age, under the mid
die height, but heavily and sauarely
built. with broad shoulders, which dur
ing the last year seem to have become
bowed down by the heavy burdens i'm
posed upon him, under which he has so
manfully struggled. His face is round,
covered by a dark brown beard, closely
clipped, and short moustache of the
same color, shading firm but sensual
mouth. His complexion is dark; his
features regular, heavy, rather than
mobile in expression. His eyes, which
he keeps habitually half closed, in
Turkish fashion, sometimes closing one
entirely, are dark and unusually dull,
but very penetrating and bright at
times, when he shoots a sudden sharp
glance, Ike flash, at his interlocutor.
His face is usually as expressionless as
that of the Sphinx, or the late Napo-
leon ILL.,, of whom, In my intercourse
with the khedive, | have been frequent
ly reminded; for they are men much of
the same stamp In character and intel
lect, with the same strong and the
same weak characteristics doing con-
stant battle with each other. The Khe-
dives voice is very characteristic-low,
somewhat thick yet emphatic, we'll
mOduiated, giving meaning to the most
commonplace utterances; his words
accompanied by a smile of much
attractiveness when he seeks to please.
and his mind is at ease. But under the
mask Of apparent apathy or serenity,
the close observer will remark that the
lines across the broad brow and about
the strong mouth indicate strong pas
siOns as strongly SUPPRESSED, and the
cares of empire intrudlng ever on
lighter thoughts, and judge the Khedive
TO be far from a happy loan. at5w
Prince Mohammed Tewfik, born
November 19, 1852; married January
10, 1873, to the Princess Emineh,
daughter of Ell Hamy Pasha, father of
Prince Abbas, born July IA, 1864, is a
mild-mannered Prince, who has been
brought up and educated at home.
Less polite and plausible than his
father, Prince Tewfik impresses you
with belief in his sincerity, and that he
means what he says-qualities which
very clever men often are deficient in.
He does not affect so much of the
western air and habits as do his father
and two brothers, although he wears
the Stambouli costume. Heis reputed
to be a conscientious though liberal
Mussulman in creed and practice. His
private character is above reproach.
He is decidedly oriental both in face
and figure: of the Circassian type, with
square head, heavy frame, dark eyes
and hair, and with something solid and
substantial stamped upon him bodily
and mentally. Devoid apparently aof
some of the more shining qualities,
slow and even hesitating in speech, and
not affecting brilliancy or even smart
ness, his face, eyes and smile inspire
confidence. You feel that here is
man whom you can trust. He is the
husband of but one wife. and reported
to be very dom este in his habits and
tastes. He is Minister of the Interior,
and said to be an energetic and indie
fatigable public officer. Should it be
MS fate to mount the throne of Egypt,
[ predict that he will prove a prudent.
humane and sensible ruler and do credit
TO his people.