Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-08-25
THE BhSTIEAD0.

VI. Hialre Gay, Il GeneVan gentleman, mas
published Il brochure in which he relates
his experiences of torture in Egypt "The
second time that presented myself at the
| Prefecture" he writes, Il was compelled to
| witness, much against my will, the punish
ment of the bastiuado inflicted on three un-
fortunate Arabs, and on several subsequent
occasions had to undergo asimilar ordeal.
hesitate 10 describe these horrors, which to
us Europeans recall the darkest days of
medieval times but it being my duty as
faithful chroncler to set forth the most
striking facts that come under my observa
ton, must ask my readers 10 overcome
their repugnance and accompany me to the
place of torture. His Excellency Osman
Bey is seated ON the divan of large room
of cold and sinister aspect, the floor covered
with large slabs and lighted by high win
dows looking on the street. He wears the
stramboulne. or official costume, Il black
frock coat with straight collar, white
waistcoat black trowsers and tarbouche.
His face, of Il light olive tint, is adorned
with scanty black beard and whiskers;
the nose is strong the lips are thick, the
eyes dark and deep. Though rather stout,
he is we'll formed and above middle height.
When Osman Bey smiles his countenance
becomes pleasing and amiable, but when the
smile is absent his regard is cold and stern.
Near him, before n little table covered with
green baze, sits his secretary.
AS walk up the room clock strikes the
| hour of two The Prefect offers me his
hand, and ct his invitation l take seat by
his side. Then Il negro, clad III n long white
| robe and wearing OH his head an enormous
yellow turban, brings me Il little cup of cof
fee and bundle of cigarettes. As / hand
back my cup to this imposing servitor three
Arabs, escorted by two guards, are led be-
fore the Prefect These unfortunates seem
| to belong to the poorest Of the people; their
feet are bare, their clothing is worn and
ragged, their hands trcmble convulsively,
their eyes are haggard, and their faces
twitch i'll apprehension as they listen III
moumfnl silence 10 the words addressed to
| them by the Project. But they answer his
questions with ieverish vivacity, and after
the exchange of ! few words two of the
prisoners; are led from the room. Then
| five men enter These are the torturcrs,
and nothing more fell or hang dog than
;h"ir looks can be imagined. -Four of
them seize the Arab who is still standing
before the Prciect, and the poor wretch, a.
ne is cast on the ground throws at him II
glance eloquent with agony and fear, but
the great mans countcnance remains liked
and impassive, and he makes no sign Of
grace.
The victim Was then placed on one of
the slabs with his chest resting on thestone,
in which position he was held by two of the
executions Two others next raised his legs
until his feet were in II horizontal position,
Il position in which they were retained by
means uf II cord fastened to either end ct Il
stick. Each man held the stick with one
hand whiir with the other he kept fast hold
Of one Of tile Ara,S legs. In the grip of
| rhe-c four powerful and expert men it was
| impos>ibc iur him to move and almost i'm
! ,ossi,i,, for him 10 wr,he. Ga this the fifth
torlnirr. who had taken no part in the pre-
| lminary proceedings. came forward, hold
in| i'll his hand sort of lash consisting
OF five strands OF twisted gut or hide.
The ;,r,. OF this man was singularly hideous
and renuIsive-,thc yellow and tawny skin,
H." low forehead, the round eyes, dull and
liked. The thick black eyebrows, the nm
bearded chin rctreating from coarse, thick
lips. III, creased and furrowed cheeks i'm
| parted 10 the countcnaDce of the chief exc
| cutioner an air Of ferocious and bcstial stu
pidity.
| ''The tormentor raised his arm and struck
with the regularity OF n pendulum the up
turned feet of his helpless victim. AT the
fourth stroke the Arab uttered cry Of pam
and at every fresh stroke the cry was re-
peated. But soon the cry became q scream,
the tagella,ed flesh vsibly shIddered, and
the soles were scanned with red and liv-
id streaks. Sitting silently on my cush-
ion, chewing mechanically The tobacco
OF my eXtinsuished cigarette, l could
mol help shivcring with horror at the
sight of so much suffering. | felt as if
were under the influence of some terri
bic nightmare. Osman Bey, his secretary, the
| five cyecutioncrs, with their stern and sinister
| features looking unmoved on so cruel q sight,
| seemed for moment rather the creations OF
disordered imagination than beings of flesh and
blood but the heavy thud of the strokes and the
screams of the victim recalled me to the sad rea-
ty which was reluctantly witnessing Then
| the punishment ceased, and the Arab, with ghast-
" face and body shaken with feverish trembling,
had to incline himself respectfully before the man
by whose order he had been cruelty tormented.
| HELPED By Il guard. for his manned and bleeding
feet refused to support him, he was then led, still
moaning with agony, from the torture chamhcr.
i The two other Arabs were afterwards punished IN
| like manner. Il was now passed three CLOCK,
and his Excellcncy, putting on his usual pleasant
| smile gave me his orders concerning the service
| of the police. ! then saluted him and hurried
away from the place where had seen the prac-
tical application OF barbarous jurisprudence.
ADVICE TO MOTHERS.
Mrs. W1SsLow's SOOTHING SYRUP, for CHI
c h,