lacerate an offending victim. Such is the Pacha, and he is the very best ruler for his countrymen. He was born under a fortunate star, and may say with Schiller's Duke of Friedland, "Who now persists in calling fortune false? The Death of Wallenstein. 40 CHAPTER III. Birth of Mahomed Ali-Dreams of his Mother previously to his Birth ---Taken under the Protection of the Governor of Cavalla-Mahomed wins his Patron's Favour by his Boldness—Marries—His Children-French Expedition to Egypt-The Sublime Porte's Determination-The Governor of Cavalla's Contingent-Mahomed crosses to Egypt-His brave Conduct-He rises in the Service— Changes in the Government-Mahomed's Intrigues for PowerElected Viceroy. MAHOMED ALI was born at Cavalla, in Roumelia, in the year 1769 (Hegira, 1182.) His father commanded the body of guards destined to protect the safety of the public roads. He was yet of a tender age, when his father died; but the situation of the latter was one of some consideration, and brought him in contact with the governor of the town, who, out of friendship to the family, charged himself with the boy's maintenance. It is reported that his mother, during the period of gestation, failed not to dream her dreams, and see her visions. To have them duly expounded, the sooth sayers and dervises were consulted, who unravelled the mysterious clew to the anxious parent, by an assurance that the child in her womb should achieve greatness. What these divine manifestations were, we have never been able to learn rightly :however, at an early period, she communicated them to her child, and he treasured the communication in his heart, with a conviction that he should one day clutch a sceptre, and feel his brow enwreathed with the circle of royalty. Accident not unfrequently induces greatness, by suggesting a secret purpose; which, in a bosom, where dwells an active and quick spirit, burns with the intensity of heated iron, maddens the brain, and propels to action. These instruments are the daring spirits of the world, who set their whole venture on a single cast attain unheard of successes in a moment or fail, are lost, and are forgotten for ever. If total and blank oblivion, however, be their lot, in the latter case, in the former, their meed is everlasting renown. Mahomed Ali seems to have been so attempered, and also to have been one of the fortunate children of success. His purpose was suggested by his mother's prompting, and he ever after kept his eye upon it, as upon the golden cynosure of his destiny. He remained close under his patron's wing, and had a few opportunities of shewing what stuff he was made of. He was vigilant active- enterprizing-intrepiddauntless--and of these qualities gave ample assu - 42 MAHOMED WINS HIS PATRON'S FAVOUR. rances to his patron, for he occasionally spilled a little blood, and sacrificed a few lives; but all this, in the country he inhabited, was set down to him as virtue. The greatest trust which a subordinate governor can confer, is the collection of taxes; for these are wrenched from the hungry gripe of an impoverished peasantry, and must be got in for the due support of his own vicarious dignity. Mahomed Ali proved himself a faithful, and a bold instrument all discontent and grumbling were hushed, whenever he, with his merry men, came into view. On one occasion, the inhabitants of a village forgot themselves, and that occasion was a lucky chance for our friend and hero. The caitiffs not only grumbled, but resisted, threatened, and rose in rebellion. The Tchorbagi, or governor, was frightened, and Mahomed offered his services, and promised to compel their return to due discipline. He kept that promise. With a few men, hastily equipped, he reached the refractory village; and entering the mosque, and feigning to them a secret mission, he sent for the four principal inhabitants. They came, like silly sheep to the wolf, and the wolf seized and made them an easy prey. Mahomed bound them neck and heels, and was off with them to Cavalla, regardless of the pursuing multitude, whom he overawed, by threatening an instant death to his captives. The governor admired his agent's hardihood, and, in recompence, bestowed on him the rank of Boulouk bashi, and a rich widow, who was related to himself. She is the happy mother of Ibrahim, the scourge of Greece, and of the two other sons, since deadToussoun and Ismael-of whom we shall, very shortly, have occasion to make mention. The widow had money, as has been already said, and Mahomed was desirous of increasing the fund— for he was aware of the truth of the universal aphorism-" wealth is power." He accordingly turned his attention to business, and he became, in time, so skilful in mercantile transactions, that a considerable addition was made to his fortune. In these, he was advised by an old Frenchman, long settled at Cavalla, as a merchant, by name M. Lion. This gentleman entertained a great affection for the young trafficking soldier; and the latter, it is said, in this instance carried gratitude in his heart, for, many years aftewards, he transmitted a considerable sum of money to the impoverished and suffering family of his friend, in France. Gratitude, in the East, it has been often remarked, is a plant of rare growth: We have great pleasure in giving currency to this fair instance, although we cannot, by any means, take on ourselves to vouch for its correctness. The source of Mohamed's increased fortune was the tobacco trade, the most lucrative product of his native province. But, let it not be supposed that he had turned his sword into a reaping hook, or hung it up in his hall to grow rusty from disuse. He often laid |