The Sun. — 1846-01-26 (London, England)

THE PACHA OF EGYPT.  The Semaphore of Marseilles publishes the following account of an interview with the Pacha of Egypt, communicated by M. Marmier, who is pErforming quarantine at the lazaretto of that port ;—" Mehemet Ali preserves in his old age all the habits of activity acquired in his younger days. He rises early, and as soon as he is up his doors are open to visitors. He takes pleasure in receiving foreigners, and more particularly the French. The public functionaries come in to him without any previous demand of an audience, and the Consul of France goes to him with the same freedom and ease as one friend calls upon another. We passed through a large hall simply furnished, in which there were persons attached to the palace, all of whom on the arrival of M. Barrett rose, and saluted him with great respect. One of these ushered us into a second room, still more spacious, lighted by vet y high windows, and having at the Jar end a divan which occupies the whole side. On this divan was seated the youngest so❑ of the Viceroy, a boy about twelve years old, already invested with the sabre, suspended from a belt round his waist. By his side was his governor, and both preserved the utnr tst gravity. Mehemet Ali lay half inclined in a corner, supported by a pile of cushions, and holding his ehibouck. Ou his head was the red cap called the Fez, which he has given to be worn by his soldiers instead of the turban, which is much heavier. He was dressed in a furred caftan of ample folds, and his fine white beard falling like flakes of silver upon his breast. In front of him was his di agoman, and by his side a domestic, who was employed in fanning him with a bunch of palm leaves About half-a-dozen other servants stood at a respectful distance, with their eyes fixed steadily upon their master, watching to catch and execute the slightest signal he might make. All the arrangements of this apartment were very plain, but simply elegant. In this group, formed near a window, in the oriental attitude of this remarkable and noble old man, and, above ale in the expression of his animated and energetic countenance, there is wherewithal for a painter of eminence to produce a most striking picture. We drew near Mehemet, and, after the usual formalities of a presentation, he signified to M. Barrot to sit down by his side on the divan, and pointed out for me an arm-chair placed in front of him. Servants brought in coffee, and M. Barrett entered into conversation with the Pacha, who loves to discuss questions of European policy. He had just received news from Ibrahim Pacha, and spoke with delight of the accounts of his improved health, and of the reception given him at Marseilles. I have always loved France,' said the Pacha, and I shall never forget that it was a Frenchman who first held out the hand to me, at a time when I was far from imagining the destinies which Providence had reserved to me.' He then related that when he was quite young, in his native town of Romella, one of his cousins was murdered. He and his father wished to ob taro justice on the murderer, but had not sufficient funds. A French merchant, named Lyons, who had known the deceased, gave them the necessary funds to proceed to Constantinople and accomplish their wish. always remembered,' continued he, with gratitude the conduct of M. Lyons, and when I was invested with the dignity of Pacha, I wrote to him to come and see me. He was preparing to set out, when he died suddenly.' Whilst the dragoman translated to us this story, Mehemet fixed on us his brilliant eyes to see the effect it produced. I never saw more penetrating ones, except with Bernadotte. In those of the latter, however, there was more pride, and in those of Mehemet more keenness. Other visitors then arrived—the governor of the city, the English consul, and some of the chief officers of the army. M. Barrot, thinking he had given me sufficient time to see what I so much desired, took his leave, and I went away, bearing with me an indelible remembrance of the language and look of our host."