New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-15
PRINCE HUSSETN
Old KhediUe's FaUOrite Son Returns
to Political Life.

Copyright. 1909. by the Brentwood Connpanyl
Prince Hussein OF Egypt, after remaining for
more than quarter OF century wholly aloof from
political affairs. is now more returning to
public life. President of the Legislative Council
and the fact that he should have accepted this
post taken in conjunction with the circumstance
that the cabinet ministers have received instruc-
tons henceforth to attend the meetings of the
Legislative Council cairo for the purpose Of fur
nishng explanations and giving an account Of their
stewardship. may be held 10 indicate that England
has concluded that the hour has arrived for &C
cording TO Egyptians larger share in the gov
eminent OF their country than they have en-
5oyed at any moment since the bombardment Of
Alexandria in 1882
Prince Hussein is an uncle ofthe present Khedive
the cleverest OF all old Ismail Pacha's sons. and
received his education wholly in England, first at
Harrow and afterward at Christ Church, oxford.
where he was one OF the show pupils Of Dean
IAdder. He was Minister of War during the reign
~ his father. and If the latter had had his way
would have been his successor for Khedive Ismail
thoroughly dsliked his eldest son. Tewfik. whose
mother was woman of Egyptian peasant origin
and 2 mere passing caprice, whereas Hussein S
mother had been the favorte wife of the old
Rhedive and princess Of the blood by birth
Had II not the intervention of England in
behalf Of Tewhk there is no doubt tbat his father
would have set him aside in way or another
End have designated Hussen heir apparent in
his stead. II is because Of this that Hussein was
.rbittered for many years against the English and
6str1sted by them He feared. too, by his
Naf-brother Tewhk and by the latter's clever con-
sort and 10 this prejudice against him may be
attributed the stories which identified him with
nome Of the least savory and most cruel features
OF his fathers reign
Prince Hussein has absolutely nothing OF the
Oriental in appearance. His formerly blond hair
snd r1ustache are now gray, probably white; but
his eyes remain blue, and in his younger days ne
was an exceedingly good looking man, the only
drawback his appearance being the slight bow OF
his legs. which gave him rather horsy appear
snce Moreover. he perfect dancer a most
agreeable companion, and spoke English without
The trace Of an accent While feared for his IN
rcr;p1lous craftness and credited with perhaps an
exaSFerated amount Of cleverness in public aIalrs'
ne was apparently unable 10 manage his own
household. At any rate, he was wholly unsuccess1u u
IN the mana cement Of his single wife a daughter
81 Prince Achr-et. She not only frighuully eX-
t-avsRant but also extremely rapid in her De-
hzvior deenling. lFe many other oriental prlil-
c.Sses Of the blood that sovereign lineage elIlacl
ns-ed her from all conventional restrictions. ana
even from the laws OF the land. When at Paris
where che spent much Of her time she would go
.hor1t entirely unveiled. and more than one &C
s.5or her conduct there the subject OF oflclal
remembrance the part Of the Turkish ATnpassa-
do- sn the name Of the Sultan But no one seemed
% be able to exercise much authority over her
,ess4 q. all her husband, who was wont, whel
s.-olljnE about in his beautiful gardens at caro-
among those roses IN which he took SO much price
m in the most dolOrous IashloH uio4l ms
oonsort, with & freedom wholly un-Orlenta4 anu
,,7,i-s the reverse OF complimentary.
With all that, Prince Hussein has been a very
r..,.,I man: for while kept aloof from politics
for the last quarter OF century or more, ne mas
devoted both his time and his fortune 10 the promo
zion OF agriculture in the Land Of the Nile and Tor
fifteen years has been president Of the hhedlFlal
Eocyetv of Agriculture which has been working IN
unison With the English irrigation experts 10 m
crease the fertile area Of Egypt and her powers
=. Agricultural production. In this way the newer
generation Of English officials in Egypt, Sir Eldon
Cyo-st first and foremost have learned TO trust
him. and any prejudice that the present khedlNe
may have inherited from his parents against ms
uncle NAV be said TO have been removed since the
marriage - Husseins only son, heTnal-eL-Dlhe 70
the second of the sisters Of the khediVe- me
rrncess IN question gave good deal Of trouble TO
her family and divorced her first husband Prince
Tussun about six years ago, under rather sensa-
tiopaI circumstances. Let me add in conclusion
that Prince Hussein IS fourth in the line Of sue
cessi6n to his nephew's throne, the lives between
the two being those Of the Khedive's two little
boys and of his brother, Prince Mohammed AL
who has no children