Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-02
ARAB IN EXILE
A Visit TO Egypt's nxpatriated
Premier.
Where = French Visitor Found Him, And
How He Manages TO Content Himself
During His Enforced Absence
From His Native Land.


Arrived at Colombo We set out for Mount
Aron 10 visit the retreat of Arab. Mr..
Henri Gigari, formerly an agent at Cairo of
RubbattinO & Co., who is thoroughly ae-
quainted with the Arabic language, con-
sented 70 act as interpreter. While tray-
cling through this country SO singularly
beautiful, l was almost tempted 10 envy
the fate of the great Egyptian exile. This
sentiment grew stronger when our coach
man pulled up in a delightful garden ia
which the luxuriant vegetation OF Ceylon
was displayed in all its splendor. Sery-
ants came 20 meet US, and, after having
taken our cards, conducted Us TO the ver-
anda, which was used as a reception room.
OF Arab there have been a great many de-
scriptions. Ii recall rightly, he has been
described as man without education,
equally dull morally and physically. be-
lieve have also seen pictures represent
ing him as a half negro, with thick lips and
a low forehead. Nothing could be more
untrue. This Arab in whose presence we
found ourselves is man of tall
stature and majestic carriage. His
face, which Is truly handsome,
with an Intelligent forehead, is framed
in a long black beard, tinged with
gray, which gives him the appearance of
patriarch. The ease with which he con-
verses and the affability of his manners
denote in him the man of the world. If !
did not fear to be guilty of paradox in
regard to the prisoner of the English, !
would say that he is an accomplished gen.
tleman.
Thanks to the good Offices of an inter-
prefer, the conversation did not languish.
While smoking manilas and taking coffee
la Turque we spoke of Ceylon, of France,
and, above all, of Egypt itself, the events
in which the ex-dictator followed with an
interest easily understood. "What does
your excellency think of the war of the
Mahdi and the result of it?"
"The campaign of the Mahdi." he re-
piled, "must necessarily end in a reverse.
The ardor of his troops will become worn
out in the face of the nullity of the results
obtained The opportunity to march upon
Egypt is gone by and will not come
again."
"Do you believe that Gordon will be able
to overcome the dif1cultles which surround
him?"
81 know Gordon" said Arab. "He has
extraordinary energy. l am convinced
that, unless there is an accident, he will
put down the insurrection. AS for the En-
glish, imagine that when they have paci-
fed the country, if they are wise, they will
allow it all the autonomy possible. Egypt
enslaved would be of less service to them
than Egypt administering her own affairs.
She is too near Europe, too directly in
contact with modern ideas, to permit of
her being subjugated to a state of vassal-
age like that of the principalities of the
rajahs. The movement of all nations to-
ward total independence may be checked
for time, but sooner or later, it will begin
again."
Here Arabi closed the conversation. We
could see that he enjoyed perfect liberty.
He lives like private gentleman, and has
with him his wives and children. Some
of the latter have been sent to Cairo to
pursue their studies. If material comfort
can stifle ambition, Arab is certainly to
be pitied. Ceylon ought not to make him
regret Egypt, and his bitter bread of exile
opnaarc tc no very much like n cake.