Viceroy, but the most successful; from the circumstance of his possessing that degree of prudence and caution, without which the finest chances of success will be unavailing. But so great was Kourchid's fear of this officer, that though he required his services against those ever active firebrands, the Mamlukes, still he wished him out of the country. Suddenly Mahomed expressed a desire to return to Cavalla, and as an earnest of his determination he made sale of a considerable portion of his possessions. This was a cunning contrivance for the purpose of sounding public opinion. He was anxious to see what effect the news of his departure would have upon the inhabitants of Cairo, and in what manner it would affect the soldiery: at the same time, by every possible contrivance, he sought to ingratiate himself with the people; and circumstances most opportunely assisted his desire. The troops were in a fearful state of insubordination, a long arrearage of pay was due, they had become clamorous, and their every action foreboded a storm. It burst, at length, and Mahomed was the only man capable of withstanding its impetuosity, and screening the affrighted inhabitants of Cairo from its fury. By his orders, the ringleaders amongst the rioters were seized and beheaded, and their mangled carcases exposed to public view, as a warning to their companions. This raised him high in the estimation of the populace, and still more so did his at subsequent services against the Mamlukes Minyeh, which place they abandoned to the Albanian chiefs. On his return to Cairo, Kourchid would have opposed him at Torrah, by means of a body of Delhis, which, a short time previously, had arrived from Syria. But the corps was too weak to effect opposition to the army of Mahomed, and he not only marched into the place, but, by his subtle address, gained the Delhis over to his party. Thence the Albanian soldiers proceeded, without opposition, to their quarters at Cairo. The situation of Egypt was most melancholy and deplorable. The Mamlukes were partly at Manfalout, and partly in the occupation of the province of Fayoum. Mahomed Ali had possession of Cairo; but Aboukir and Djizeh were in the Mamluke occupation, while a host of half starved voracious Arabs were ravaging Lower Egypt, like a swarm of locusts. Added to all this, the vice-regal authority was in contempt, and the Viceroy's purse without a para. His own army, consequently, from being the guardians of the public safety, had been, through want and necessity, converted into a turbulent band of robbers, and dreadful were the excesses they daily perpetrated. The people ran for protection to their Sheiks, the Sheiks reclaimed the protection of the Viceroy, the Viceroy admonished the troops, but the troops per sisted in their abandoned courses. When the people were almost driven to madness, a firman arrived, appointing Mahomed Ali Pacha of Djedda, on the other side of the Red Sea, and the Port of Mekka. Mahomed refused to enter the citadel, in order to assume the paraphernalia of his new dignity, but agreed to meet the Viceroy and the Cadi, in a private house in the city. As he issued from the door, after having assumed the mantle and the cap, peculiar to his rank, the mutinous soldiery met him boldly, threatening violence unless their wants were immediately satisfied. "What can I do for you?" cried the vulpine Cavalliot, "I am merely a servant of the Pacha, and the Pacha is here, turn therefore to him." He then mounted his Arab, and scattering some money amidst the crowd, departed. The Albanians followed up Mahomed's advice to the very letter. They turned on the Pacha like hungry wolves. They laid hold of him-accused him of peculation-ill-treated him -and would have deprived him of his liberty, until all the arrears of pay had been made good: but, most fortunately for himself, the governor, by the assistance of some prompt friends, effected his escape, and shut himself up in the citadel. Being thus baulked of their prey, the armed mob harassed and drove the people to despair by their intolerable behaviour. This happened about May, 1805. The Sheiks VICEROYALTY OFFERED TO MAHOMED Ali. 55 became exasperated, and laid a representation of the condition of the people-of their situation, and of the numberless tyrannizing acts, not only on the part of the Pacha, but of the undisciplined, licentious soldiery, which had driven them to despair, before the principal officers of Kourchid, and the Cadi of Cairo. The only redress which they obtained, was an assurance that their memorials had been transmitted to the Pacha, who kept himself locked up in the citadel, and who, after considering their case, would grant the needful reparation. This was cold comfort for men in their miserable circumstances, and they determined on decided measures. They proceeded in a body to the Cadi's court of justice; but the Cadi, like a well disciplined functionary, shut his doors in their faces. They turned away in disgust, and directed their steps to the residence of Mahomed Ali. To him they explained their grievances, and their horror at the tyranny of Kourchid; they besought him to take pity on the wretched people, whose chiefs they were, and who were dying under the inflictions of the Pacha and his ravenous myrmidons; to, in fact, take on himself the office of Viceroy. The simulating Mahomed seemed to be thunderstruck at their proposal, and refused them, but in so faint a tone, and with so meaning a sideglance, that the petitioners were induced to repeat and urge, yet more strongly, their request. |