400 SCHOOLS OF MUSIC AND ENGINEERS.

DCLIII. The school of music in the citadel is under the direction of a German professor, a very able and indefatigable man, whose labours have been much facilitated by the natural genius of the Arabs for this science. It is indeed surprising to observe with what precision they execute in full band the most difficult pieces of the most celebrated European composers. Among all his Highness's innovations the introduction of German and Italian music has been perhaps the most successful; which, however, is by no means matter of astonishment, since in this kind of imitation little intellect is required. A regular band is attached to every ship of war, and every regiment in the army; and the instruments appear to be of a superior description. The kettle-drums and fifes are fabricated in the country by Osman Effendi, a Turk of Constantinople; an attempt was likewise made to produce all other kinds of musical instruments, but, not succeeding, they are now imported from Europe.

DCLIV. In the school of engineers at Khanka there are about one hundred young men, selected for their success in their preparatory studies in the other establishments. They are taught surveying, fortification, the attack and defence of places, mining, &c., and, to assist them in their pursuits, are liberally provided with all the necessary instruments, and a large model of a fortified place on Cormontagne's system. The art and practice of field fortification are likewise comprehended in their studies. Here,

MEDICAL SCHOOL.

401

however, as in the other colleges, much more is professed to be taught than is in reality practicable; and the students are drafted off into active service before their education is half completed.

DCLV. The school of medicine at Abou Zabel is without doubt one of the most extraordinary of all the Pasha's establishments. But it is not situated in the desert, as has been sometimes pretended; on the contrary, it is encircled by vegetation, and in the month of March nothing can be more beautiful than the surrounding scenery. The hospital, to which a botanic garden has been attached, is an enormous quadrangular building, divided from the lodgings of the Europeans by a broad esplanade, planted with long avenues of mimosa, sycamore, and date trees. Along the exterior walls, on three sides of the edifice, a large space has been enclosed; and here all kinds of vegetables are successfully raised, besides an immense quantity of oranges, sweet and bitter almonds, lemons, figs, and pomegranates, for the use of the sick and convalescent. In the centre of the botanic garden is a large square building, containing a museum, dissecting-rooms, a theatre for lectures, a laboratory, a dispensary and dependencies, with store-rooms, kitchens, and baths, both in the European and Oriental style. A moiety of one side of the hospital is converted into a spacious schoolroom, capable of containing two hundred boys, the walls of which are adorned with designs illustrative of science, and the different phenomena of nature.

402

FRENCH LANGUAGE.

The remainder is occupied by a lithographic printingoffice, where, by means of four presses, the young Arabs are constantly employed in printing Arabic translations of the best European works on medicine, with anatomical drawings, which they certainly copy with great accuracy.

DCLVI. None of the other schools possesses an air so entirely European. It is kept very clean, and the traveller is sometimes startled at being addressed in French by ill-conditioned fellahs, who are instructed in history, geography, arithmetic, botany, chemistry, together with the theory and practice of medicine and surgery. At the head of each department of the medical science is an European professor, who draws up his daily lesson in French, which is then translated into Arabic by able interpreters, who, from their long employment in the hospital, are themselves tolerably well acquainted with the science. The translations, when completed, are submitted to three learned Sheikhs, who correct grammatical errors, and clothe them with the beauties of the Arabic language; after which they are printed, and delivered to the students. Practical knowledge is acquired by attending the sick, compounding and making up medicines, and the constant use of the dissecting knife. The fault, however, complained of in all the other schools, is likewise committed here; for the government, impatient to avail itself of the knowledge it has imparted, withdraws the youths from their studies, before sufficient time has been allowed to perfect

VETERINARY HOSPITAL.

403

themselves in their profession. They are in fact removed four years after their entrance, however trifling may be their proficiency, and being sent directly to the army, frequently do more mischief than good. Among the students are three eunuchs and four female slaves, who are educated for the interior service of the Pasha's harem. The number of pupils amounts, at present, to about two hundred; and the hospital contains accommodations for six hundred patients.

DCLVII. Adjoining the school of medicine at Abou Zabel are a veterinary hospital and school, under the direction of a Frenchman. One hundred and fifty pupils are here instructed in the duties of their profession on precisely the same plan as that pursued at the neighbouring college. As soon as they have learned to kill a horse, they are forwarded to the regiments. The Pasha is particularly careful that all his different employés; for example, the directors of the chemical works the saltpetre refinery the iron foundry- the cotton millsand the works where the chloride of lime is prepared -have each a certain number of youths from the college of Kasserlyne placed under them, to be instructed in their business. Mr. Galloway has five, and a young Armenian, who received his education in England, twelve Arab youths under his care.Mr. Wallace, the English engineer, is the only person who has refused to comply, on this point, with the wishes of the Pasha.

404

EUROPEAN STUDENTS.

DCLVIII. Several of the young gentlemen sent to receive their education at Paris, returned to Egypt in 1832. Stefan Effendi, Aroutin Effendi, and Khosrouff Effendi, three of the most intelligent of the number, who had completed their studies in diplomacy; together with Youssouff Effendi, whose chief attention was directed towards agriculture, have since been employed in translating the "Ordonnances Militaires" into Turkish. Thus, instead of being placed in the public offices, under the principal members of the government, where, from their talent and information, they might suggest useful reforms, their whole time is consumed in an occupation wholly foreign to their studies, and beyond their comprehension. This misappropriation of the talents of his protégés has been productive, however, of considerable chagrin to the Pasha; for many young men, who had received at his expense an European education, learning the humiliating condition of their fellow students, instead of returning to Egypt, have basely entered into the service of the Sultan. It has been remarked that, at first, the pupils educated in England, where a haughty air of independence is almost necessarily acquired, have not been received by the Pasha with the same smiles and favours which he lavishes on the others; but, by degrees, their merits bring them forcibly into notice, and raise them above their competitors.

DCLIX. Both in the army and fleet, schools are established, where the soldiers and sailors are taught