Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-27

lDcnf0Ia letter 70 the LDndon ip1iiy Nc"~' /
The MudIr received ms with great coiir.
tesy and pleasing smile. There was quite
nm absence Of the stereotyped ostent1tious
ceremony with which the ordinary Mudir.
or nav soy the Oriental official In general,
receives a visitor, whether he hates him
m hts heart or NOT. In spite OF degree
~ nervousness In his manner, one IL I'm
pressed ny his aspect, conveying sense
OF individual resolution aud drinness OF
character, evincing, too, an unbending will
and determination OF purpose. ! was re-
minded OF Nubar's words 10 me on my
asking him his opinion regarding the
Mudir's probable course OF action. 4" He
Is a bulldog, sir; that man will never
Weld. have perfect confidence IN him;
he may be killed. but will hold fast to the
last; he Il bulldog"
The ceremony Of Introduction being over
we were shown seats, all these being placed
sgajpst the walls. The Mudr sat European
fashion on char half way ~ the hail on
the left side rs you enter, and opposite hiql
sat some twenty or thirty clemas. or priests.
against the other wall. These now COM
mcnced TO chant, or rather howl, In unison
and in monotone, texts OF the Koran. They
repeated the same words by rote. The time
was perfect. While doing this they
swayed 10 and fro from one side
TO The other. The Mudir sat mo-
tionless. not muscle or feature
moved. and affected TO be. II he were
not, deeply interested in the whole pro-
ceedIng. This most melancholy. drowsy
litany was continued for half an hour.
When at last 1t came to a conclusion the
Mudir politely, but with the least possible
gesture, motioned us to follow him 70 the
small terrace outside the hall door. There.
to our left. were drawn up In line the hand
full OF blAck troops who had beel so well
tried on several occasions. Present arms
was the word OF command in Turkish,
while the band struck I'D the khGdiyal
hymn. Did Verdi actually compose this
"awful" AR! They say so. \ march
pastv then took place, in which the native
camel corps Joined. They went round the
great tree under which the Mudir Is at his
devotions several hours during the day,
and three cheers were then given for the
"Ef1edna." the Arabic title OF the Khe-
dive: the latter word being borrowed from
the Persian by the powers to convey an
idea something higher than the term Vice.
roy signifies, and the ceremony was over.
A review OF the British troops took place
IN the afternoon at 4:30-that l.. OF the
mounted infant-y-to the number Of 80.
and the Royal Sussex. This military
display of force Is slid to have
made great impression on the
Mudir, who attended in state. For
good and sufficient reasons he h1s been
allowed TO believe, and, opine, is still I'M.
der the impression. that these British troops
are entirely at his disposal and under his
command-in fact, he believes he is the
military commander OF the station. II was
a grand sight to see him sitting on his horse
in the uniform Of military pasha, in front
Of everybody, posing as COMMANDMENTS
chief OF a grand army. Fine fellow he
looked, though, on his richly.caplrisOned
Arab charger, spear IN hand and cimeter at
side, his stirrups being covered with gold
and nearly the size Of a small cradle. The
delusion is harmless and may be useful.
The Mudir was then invited to the lines
OF the Royal Sussex, and most afllbIe was
he. chatting and smiling. especially when
he was offered VINE or a soda and brandy;
and he intimated he could take nothing
stronger than coffee while in the presence
Of native subordinates and interiors.
Thus il is often. Nothing will in
duce q Mussulman ~ touch glass
of beer or wine before another OF
the same faith, especially il he l. lower
III HIS sOtldl Dtt AiN -ihi7 hitAh N'i
come and dine with YOU alone, or make a
call upon Won, and II he is at all intimate
with you, You will not find him by any
means so rigidly abstinent. A glass OF
Moet he will not refuse, nor scorn an eifer-
vescent alcoholic mixture or tanklrd OF
Bass.
A Turkish or Egyptian gentleman has
special liking for any Of these. Some ex-
cuse themselves for not sticking to the let
ter Of the law by pleading that the Prophet
forbade neither champagne nor beer;
others that they may drink any liquor that
has not "been over the fire.. G., that
has not been distilled-saying that these are
the words in the prohibition. and that
therefore beer, champagne, and indeed all
wines, are allowable to the faithful. Yer
mouth is also great favorte with the up
per ten, with the ruck OF beys and pashas,
whether Turkish, Egyptian, or Circassian,
who feed upon their country.