The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-04-07
A VISIT TO ARAB PASHA.
An American Travelling Journalist
Describes His Interview with
the Egyptian Patriot.
HIS LONELY LIFE IN CEYLON,
Because Arab Loved His Country He il
Compelled to Live Far Away From
the Land Of His Birth.

DetGuSe AIGM IOfcu u1S OouutIJ at H.
Compelled to Live Far Away From
the Land Of His Birth.
Arahi Pasha is in Ceylon. David Ker
of the Times called on him 81 short
time ago, and we extract the following
passages from his narrative: AS we
approached the steps that led up to the
veranda. we saw looking down upon
us from above q tall, largeframed man
in complete European costume, with
exception Of the fez that surmonnted
his gray head, There was no need for
to ask who be was. for his features bore
sufficiently close resemblance TO the
countless portraits which made all
Europe familiar with that face only q
few years ago TO enable me to recog~
nize at the first glance Arab Pasha
himself. 1 saluted hlm in French,
which he speaks fluently, like most
Egyptian and Turkish statesmen. But.
somewhat to my surprise, he answered
me in English (probably wishing to
show me how quickly he had learned it),
and i'll English our talk was thenceforth
conducted. AS he placed a char for
Mrs. Ker, he observed politely, II am
very sorry to have Deen SO late in re-
ceiving you, but I had to say my
prayers hrstn "Yoa were quite right, -
answered H. pray, sit down." and we
all three seated ourselves in the front
OF the veranda, 81 q, point which COM
naanded q full view OF the garden.
During the conversation which followed
we were able to examine more closely
the personal appearance of the man
who had concentrated upon himself for
a brief space the attention Of the whole
world. His complexion iespecialy
where the cap had covered his forehead)
was surprisingly fair fer an Egyptian,
the color OF the skin being not a whit
darker than that Of many az English
man after a year or two in this burning
climate. His appearance certainly
gained nothing by his adoption Of that
uncomely European dress to which SO
many Orientals unaccountably sacri-
fee their own picturesque and gracefu ul
garb, always losing incAlculablY by the
exchange.
The Pasha's costume consisted Of s.
loose morning coat Of Light gray, white
vest and shirt, fawn-colored trousers,
white stockings, and black leather shoes
with rosettes. His cuffs were fastened
with "cat's eye'' sleeve buttons, and on
his right hand he wore a large gold ring
set with q iue moonsyone. But al.
though no fault could be found with
the clothes themselves. they were mani
testify out Of keeping with the man who
wore them. "I'm very glad to see your
garden looking so fresh aud green,'
said I. as we seated ourselves, ''for it
must be very. hot here just now"
PLENTY hot," answered Arab, but
much rain, too. This last week We
have rain every day--plenty rain. y
$50 had we in tie Indian ocean, and
very tired Of it we were. However, it
keeps the trees and shrubs fresh, if it
does nothing else. Those are very pretty
leaves that you've got growing there
along the front Of the veranda." Yes,
very NICE assented the Pasha.
-"Wait, 1 pick you some.'' Aud in a
thrice he had filled Mrs. Ker's hands
with splendidly marked croton leaves,
one Of which had twisted itself so
strongly and closely into spiral coil
that it was no easy matter to straighten
it out. "Strangeleaf that said Arab,
pointing to it with the nearest approach
to a laugh Of which an Egyptian is
capable. "He look just like hair. See
how he twist round.' Just at that mo-
ment we caught sight of the dusky
faces and sparkling eyes of two tiny
girls probably the Pasha's children by
some Of his Cingalese wjyes) who were
peeping at us from behind the screen
Of mating that masked the doorway
leading from the veranda into the
house. Both seemed rather shy of us
just a first, but, after a little reconnoit-
ering the elder of the two (for the
younger could not be persuaded to ap-
proach) came forward and made friends
with us readily enough. l twined one
of the croton leaves around her black
hair in kind of fiilet, aud the little
woman seemed considerably amused at
her new decoration. ''They rather
frightened of strangers" observed the
Pasha with smile, land yet they see
plenty Of them.' Yes; suppose you
have good many visitors here" Yes;
whenever ship come In, great many
people come to see me. This morning
plenty come; plenty lady come, teo.'
We naturally felt bound to apologize
for iDaicting another visit upon him