The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-08-21
eONkPARTE IN EGYPT.
Isolated by the English, He Worked STEAD
ily to Colonize the Country.

Isolated by the English, He Worked STEAD
lily to Colonize the Country.
"This is the moment, said Bona
parte on hearing how Brueys' splen-
did feet had been annihilated and
his own retreat cut off, when char
acters of a superior order assert
themselves. 1.-The English" he
cried on another occasion, "will
compel us to do greater things than
we meant to-" So far from his ac-
tiyity being famed in the isolation OF
Egypt it was redoubled. To preserve
the fiction of his mission as the re-
storer of Ottoman power the tricolor
and the crescent foated everywhere
side by side, whilo prayers were said
for both France and Turkey in the
MOSQUES. The utmost respect was
paid to the Koran and it's precepts.
Menou and a number Of others
made an open profession of Islam.
To soothe all popular apprehension
existing institutions were changed
only to strengthen them, while con-
templated reforms were to follow
only as increasing public enlighten-
ment demanded them. In particular
the utmost respect was paid to the
marriage customs, and no license
among the common soldiers was toll
Grated.
In marked contrast was Bona
parties own conduct. An intercepted
letter written from Alexandria to
his BROTHER Joseph expressed jealous
doubts of Josephine's fidelity, or
rather certainty Of her infidelity.
From that instant his own licen-
tiousness became q scandal even to
the loose notions of his train. But
outwardly he affected the inflated
speech Of a semidivine messenger.
Once, while visiting the burial crypt
in the pyramid of Cheops, he pre-
tended to mutt that he was a pros
elyte and pronounced with an air OF
conviction the Mohammedan creed.
Every element in the population,
however-Copts, Turks, Greeks and
Arabs--was courted and made to
share in the administration. Print
ing presses were established, and
the French scholars, though sur
prised and disenchanted by what
they found, united into an institute
and began the study of every posi-
BILE improvement in political, social
and domestic economy. Nor was
the army forgotten. The captured
Mamelukes and other available
youth were enrolled in the French
battalions and taught the drill and
discipline of war. Even the scatter.
ed Bedouin received the conqueror' s
fattering attentions with ever less.
ening distrust.
All this was part of plan to effect
religious and political revolution
in the east, the two to move hand il
hand, by an appeal to Mohammeda1
zeal for cooperation with those who
had already destroyed Christianity
in Europe. Talleyrand was to have
been the representative in Constan
tinople Of the same idea. But he hat
broken his promise and staid a
home, and neither the sultan as thu
political and religious head of Islam
nor its devotees were for momen
deceived. On the well known princi
pie that offers of peace come bes
while war is hottest Bonaparte's iror
hand was shown in certain mos
stringent regulations, and one deter
mined instruction was put dow1
with merciless rigor. The domesti,
relations of the people were sacred
but they must buy indemnity will
the payment of all their cash, ant
treasure wherever found was seizet
for the army chest. The old CITY
barriers of Cairo were broken down
and fortified turrets were built il
their places. Resistance of any kin,
met with quick punishment, ant
heads fell throughout the land will
such regularity and frequency as tx
force from the natives a recognition
of Bonaparte as ell kebir (the exalted)
Professor w. M. Sloane's Life O
Napoleon" In Century