The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-28
Arab IN EXILE.
4 Visit to Egypt's Expatriated
Premier.
Where = French Visitor Found Him, and
How He Manages to Content Himself
During His Enforced Absence
From His Native Land.
ICor. Paris AIatin.l


Arrived at Colombo we set out for Mount
Aron to visit the retreat of Arab. Mr..
Henri Gigari, formerly an agent at Cairo Of
Rubbattino & Co., who is thoroughly &C
quainted with the Arabic language, con-
sented to act as interpreter. While trav-
cling through this country so singularly
beautiful, 1 was almost tempted to envy
the fate of the great Egyptian exile. This
sentiment grew stronger when our coach
man pulled up in a delightful garden in
which the luxuriant vegetation of Ceylon
was displayed in all its splendor. Serv-
ants came to meet us, and, after having
taken our cards, conducted US to the YER
anda, which was used as a reception room.
OF Arab there have been a great many de-
scriptions. If 1 recall rightly, he has been
described as a man without education,
equally dull morally and physically. 1 be-
heve have also seen pictures represent
ing him as a half negro, with thick lips and
& low forehead. Nothing could be more
untrue. This Arab in whose presence we
found ourselves is a man of tall
stature and majestic carriage. His
face, which is truly handsome,
with an intelligent forehead, is framed
I'm a long black beard, tinged with
gray, which gives him the appearance of a
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 a paradox in
regard to the prisoner of the English, l
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
a la Turque we spoke of CeyIon, of France,
- eli % ba
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 difficulties which surround
him?"
al know Gordon" said Arab. "He has
extraordinary energy. / am convinced
that, unless there is an accident, he will
put down the instruction. 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
ensIaved 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, bus sooner or later, it will begin
again."
Here Arab 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 stife ambition, Arab is certainly to
be pitied. Ceylon ought not to make him
regret Egypt, and his bitter bread of exile
appears to be very much like cake.