390 COSTUME OF THE LADIES. shoulders; and their only ornaments are flowers, roses, jasmins, or lilies. A short jacket, called an anteria, embroidered with flowers of gold, fits close to the shape, but, being left partly open above, discloses a portion of the bosom. Their large trowsers of semi-transparent silk, called shalwahs, are tied round the loins with an embroidered sash; above which a light Kashmér shawl, rolled up, is sometimes thrown, carelessly tied on one side, with the ends trailing on the ground. The arms, the feet, and the abdomen, below the anteria, are exposed; but in cold weather they envelop themselves in large pelisses of the most costly furs. They wear fine yellow slippers, and, whenever they step off the carpet, walk in high wooden pattens, like those used in the public baths. The married women, affecting more decorum in their costume, have a loose chemise over the anteria, with a pelisse and a shawl round the waist; and their hair, like that of the Levantine ladies, is plaited in small tresses all over the head, which is covered with an Indian or Yemen handkerchief. The costume of the Greek ladies, in the Gynæceum, was equally tantalising, though more flowing and elegant; consisting, in warm weather, merely of a white tunic without sleeves, fastened with buttons on the shoulders, and gathered into close folds under the bosom by a broad girdle. Being of a thin gauze-like texture, resembling the multitia of the Roman ladies, it left the wearer nearly in the state of nature; for which reason, among EDUCATION OF BOYS. 391 others, strangers were never admitted into the harem.* DCXLVI. The male children, after the age of twelve or thirteen, are removed from the female apartments, and placed under the care of tutors or governors. From this period they enjoy the privilege of entering their father's divan, where, being continually in the company of men who always assume an air of imperturbable gravity, they learn, at a very early age, the necessity of putting on a look of sagacity and importance. Their teachers and servants, however, being in general the basest of slaves, incapable of conceiving a dignified sentiment, corrupt their minds while forming their manners; and send them forth into the world with an imposing exterior, and souls debased by meanness, and stained and clouded by vice. Ibrahim Pasha himself, born in a private station, received not the education of a prince; and his manners, though far from rigid, are regular and respectable. He is an early riser, and, * Achilles Tatius, 1. i. c. 1.— Pollux, 1. iii. c. 16. Lucian, Oper., t. iv. p. 402.- Athenæus, iv. 449.- Seneca, De Beneficiis, l. vii, declaims with becoming indignation against the fashion of appearing abroad in these pellucid dresses: -" Video sericas vestes, si modo vestes vocandæ sunt, in quibus nihil est quo aut defendi corpus, aut tegi pudor possit; quibus sumpta mulier parum liquidò nudam se non esse jurabit." - Conf. Torrent, in Hor. Sat., l. ii. sat. 2. v. 101. † Of his general manners some idea may, perhaps, be formed from the style of his private correspondence. The following is the translation of a letter to Mr. Barker, late British Consul-General of Egypt: to which I append, as a literary curiosity, the letter of another Oriental prince to the same polite and highly respected gentleman: - 392 ORIGINAL LETTER OF IBRAHIM PASHA. knowing the advantage of a reputation for piety, repeats his morning prayers in public. On his first entering the Hall of the Divan, the Selam Aghasi From Ibrahim Pasha to J. Barker, Esquire. "Glory of the Christian faith, illustrious support of the followers of Jesus, my dear friend Mr. Barker, whom God preserve! — After giving you reiterated assurances of my friendship, testified my ardent desire to see you again, and inquired into the state of your invaluable health, I hasten to inform you that I am arrived at Antioch, and finding it necessary to visit the port of Suedia, halted on my journey at your garden, situated in the vicinity of that harbour. My arrival occurred most opportunely, when all the fruits of Europe and Arabia are there in the highest perfection. After tasting of each sort, I resolved to pass the night in this delicious retreat, and shall return to Antioch to-morrow morning. Your steward, who resides in the garden, has presented me with an order from his highness my august father, recommending him to my protection; and from a desire to conform in all things to his sacred pleasure, as well as from my high consideration for you, I shall omit no opportunity of serving him. "The beauty of this spot, its picturesque situation, the softness of the air, the profusion of its fruits, entitle it to be ranked next to the city of Damascus, which is unquestionably the terrestrial Paradise. I do not hesitate to assert that, throughout the whole of this country, I have found no place comparable to Suedia. Above all, the gratification I have enjoyed during this delicious night has been so complete, that I doubt whether even you, to whom the place owes all its embellishments, ever enjoyed any thing comparable to it. Our sincere friendship prompts me to write thus affectionately, that I may make you acquainted with the extreme satisfaction which I have experienced. I trust you will on no occasion omit writing, whenever you shall have any thing to communicate. "God preserve you! (Seal of his Highness.) "17 Rebi 1s. 1248. " IBRAHIM PASHA." Translation of a Letter from the Prince Royal of Persia, Abbas Mirza, to Mr. Barker, H. B. M. Consul-General, Aleppo. After compliments "The Persian pilgrims, who returned some time since from Mekka, have informed me of the friendly aid and support which you benevo addresses him with the usual salutation, "Salām aleykum!" which the Pasha graciously returns. Coffee is now brought in, after which he again goes through the exercise of public prayer, and spends several hours in transacting business, and giving audience to his principal officers. He then rides out to inspect the government works, and returning about twelve o'clock, dines in a very frugal manner, not wholly abstaining, however, from the use of wine, which, being permitted by the Faithful in Paradise, he probably imagines may be very safely drunk, in moderation, here on earth. In Summer, a short siesta succeeds the dinner, after which he returns to the Divan, and is engaged in transacting business or receiving visits until sunset, when he retires to the hidden recesses of the harem. In this portion of the palace the lower story is appropriated to the use of the men, and here he sometimes receives his private friends. lently offered in their favour. I now return you my sincere thanks for your most acceptable exertions and good offices, and I assure you the impression which your kindness has made in my breast is both strong and lasting. I take the opportunity of the departure of a large party of pilgrims, to write this letter, and request your acceptance of a Kashmér shawl, which the high in dignity, Aga Ali Ascar, will deliver to you. I shall always be happy to hear of your welfare, and offer the assurances of my high consideration." Written in the month of Rejjib, A. H. 1235. (L. s.) Of ABBAS MIRZA. A true translation, *" Verily the righteous shall dwell among delights; seated on couches, they shall behold objects of pleasure; thou shalt see in their faces the brightness of joy. They shall be given to drink of pure wine sealed, the seal whereof shall be musk." — Koran, vol. ii. ch. 83. 394 INSTITUTIONS OF THE PASHA. CHAPTER XVII. INSTITUTIONS OF THE PASHA-SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES COLLEGE OF KASSERLYNE - TWO GREAT MOHAMMEDAN SECTS -LIBRARY NUMBER AND STUDIES OF THE PUPILS -SYSTEM OF TEACHING GRADATIONS OF RANK― MAMALOOKS OF IBRAHIM PASHA -ARTILLERY SCHOOL AT TOURA-SCHOOL OF CADETS AT GHIZEH HAREM OF TOUSSOUN PASHA - SUPERIOR APPEARANCE AND ACQUIREMENTS OF THE STUDENTS -SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN THE APTITUDE OF THE ARABS FOR THIS SCIENCE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERS AT KHANKA— MODELS OF FORTIFICATIONS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT ABOU ZABEL HOSPITAL BOTANIC GARDEN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES CITADEL MUSEUM, DIS SECTING-ROOMS, LABORATORY-LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES-EURO PEAN APPEARANCE OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE OF THE FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR THE HAREM -VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL- PASHA'S STUDENTS IN EUROPE -NAVAL AND REGIMENTAL SCHOOLS- LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL AT ALEXANDRIA — AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL. DCXLVII. IN the establishment of schools and colleges, Mohammed Ali has given an undeniable proof that he desires to behold Egypt a civilised country. He may, probably, not foresee that with civilisation the thirst for freedom will arise, and the despotism of his descendants— should he succeed in founding a dynasty-be necessarily diminished; or, foreseeing this, he may wisely think that limited power with safety is preferable to arbitrary but uncertain sway. From the rational character of his ambition, I am inclined towards the latter interpre |