Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-22

Gen. LOring's Twelve Years Observa-
tiOns Of Social and Political Affairs in
Egypt-The Wedding of Princess.
From LOring's 81 Confederate Soldier In
EgVpt."
OF all the weddings, that which inter-
ested me most was that of ToussOun
Pasha. 1t was because he spoke and
loved the English language that / knew
him better than any other, and took a
deeper interest in him. The nuptials were
very splendid, perhaps more so than any
of the others which were then following
each other in quick succession. A gov
erness had taught ToussOun English, and
among the first books he enjoyed were
COOper's novels. He formed a romantic
idea of the Indians, and it was pleasant
for him to meet with those who knew
them from personal contact. An agreea-
BILE gentleman, he was with me a great
deal, and often gratifed him with ex-
tended accounts of the American saw
ages. Relating incidents of his life, he
mentioned that, when boy, dressing as
an Indian chief, he caused great terror
among the ladies Of his mothers harem.
They thought ibis the dark spirit) had
invaded the sanctity of their secluded life.
/ While amusing himself in this way, he
fell down a lofty stairway and injured his
spine, a mishap from which he never full
/ " recovered, and it was no doubt this ac-
cident that shortened his days; he died
soon after his marriage with the daughter
Of the Khedive.
Crossing the Nile and following the
broad avenue of the lebbek and acacia
trees for mile, we arrived at a singular
looking Arab building without external
architecture, but within luXuriously en-
bellished and the home of refinement and
comfort. After visiting ToussouH l can
speak of his hearty welcome and true
Eastern hospitality. The beautiful Fati-
ma, the second daughter of the Khedive,
widow of the Prince, is now the sole occu-
pant Of this palatial residence.
BLUE-EYED HOURI.
On the occasion of her marriage, during
the splendid fetes, this light of the harem,
a blue-eyed fairy, is said to have dazzled,
by the brilliancy of her attire and her
marvellous grace, the largest assembly of
Arab and foreign ladies ever gathered to-
gether in Egypt. Escorted by a bevy of
beauties she walked over cloth of gold,
showered over with pieces of gold thrown
from concealed hands, on the way through
the beautiful Palace Of Abdeen TO her re-
ception-r0om. One of the features of the
festivities was that Ismail, who had great
affection for his daughters, in celebrating
this occasion invited large party of his
particular friends. foreign and native, to
a private opera. The guests entered an
extensive palace adjoining the opera
house at the Palace of KaZr Nil. Upon
their arrival they were introduced into a
handsomely decorated salon. At the close
of this delightful entertainment the party
returned to the receptiOn-rooms to find
them transformed, as if by magic. into
one of the most beautifully set supper
rooms had ever seen. The delicacies
were as agreeably served as the general
effect was beautiful, and TO add grace to it
and to show the pleasure experienced in
honor of so interesting an event, the
khedlve in person expressed his happi-
ness to each guest. During my long ac-
quaintance with him / often noticed these
touching manifestations of true manly
feeling so unusual in Eastern men, and
especially in despOts, and they impressed
those who knew him best in his private
relations as real exhibitions of gentle
kind-heartedness.
a blaze Of fireworks Of wondrous beau
ty closed these enchanting scenes. whose
splendor is rarely matched in any coun-
try. During these celebrations there
was. for the invited guests in the palaces
of the khedive and his family, and sur
rounding them for the special pleasure of
the fellaheen, a fairy-like display that re-
quires the delirium of a poet to picture
it in its lavish waste and extravaganza.
LIFE IN THE HARENI.
The ladies constituting the families of
the late Khediye Ismail Pasha, and of his
numerous sons, are in many respects an
exception to a general rule, in their ac-
cOmplishments, education and manners.
While they have, in many respects, Euro
pean customs and habits. vet these are
modified by restraints of seclusiOn, and
they share with their sisters Of all classes
the OdiOus law of the prophet, that they
should be held prisoners under rigid sur
Yeillance of guardians especially prepared
for the unholy Office.
Statements are made that serious mis-
understandings often occur among them
in consequence Of this oppression. There
is no doubt that the beautiful young
daughter Of the KhediYe, who was accus-
toned until thirteen years Of age to visit
the opera without a veil, rebelIed when
the time came for incarceration, and
that she lamented in tears her unfortunate
fate. Marrying soon after her seclusion, /
she lived but few months. Universally
the Moslem women know nothing of life.
being simply pieces of furniture in their
homes. With no education, they are
strangers to the interests and affairs Of
their masters; decked out with fine
dresses and jewelTy, they are sensuously
content.
ANTUsEAIENTS OF SECLUDED BEAUTY.
They amuse themselves in crunching
melon seeds, eating candy, smoking cigar
cites, and showing their jewelry and fine
toilets TO their friends. Living a life of
ease and Incidence, they are never sup
posed to soil their hands with labor or
rack their brains with thought. When
they toll their sole occupation is to beau
tify themselves. When young they are