DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0097
61
by a Frank of the name of Yacoube, whom I instantly knew to
be the indefatigable Bruce. Ten years ago this would have been
an important coincidence, to arrest the incredulity of the public
as to the veracity of this celebrated traveller. But during this
period a mass of successive evidence has defeated the unbelievers.
Hadgi Hamid having conducted several caravans, and being
always paid in kind according to a fixed rate, by certain propor-
tions of the different articles*, is become a rich man, and has
large magazines of goods at Deroo.
We had particular pleasure in visiting the populous village of
Ashoodp, which belongs to these Ababdes ; the inhabitants had
an unusual appearance of wealth and industry. The country
about was highly cultivated, and many herds of cattle were gra-
zing in the fields. It is remarkable that in these Arab villages
there is in general a greater spirit of exertion, and more inclina-
tion to improve, than in those inhabited by the common Fellahs
or J'iltains of the country. They have not indeed such an extent
of luxuriant soil to feed them, but their patriarchal government
is far milder than that of the tyrants of Cairo, and their property
is more secure: the instance we now witnessed might afford a
lesson to all who may hereafter have an interest in the revenues
and resources of Egypt, and induce them to make it the first
principle of their ceconomics, to tempt the different tribes of wan-
dering Arabs to exchange a life of privation and precarious
plunder, for a secure and profitable establishment in those culti-
vable spots which at present are as the Sandy Desert. One half of
the sufferings of the French was owing to their determination
never to be reconciled with these people. Their squadrons were
* The Caravan from the South brings gum, slaves, tamarinds, feathers, rhinoceros'
horns, ivory, gold-dust, &c.j on its return it takes amber, cloth, clothes, sword-blades,
iron coats of mail, mirrors and trinkets, cloves, pepper, &c.
m perpetually
by a Frank of the name of Yacoube, whom I instantly knew to
be the indefatigable Bruce. Ten years ago this would have been
an important coincidence, to arrest the incredulity of the public
as to the veracity of this celebrated traveller. But during this
period a mass of successive evidence has defeated the unbelievers.
Hadgi Hamid having conducted several caravans, and being
always paid in kind according to a fixed rate, by certain propor-
tions of the different articles*, is become a rich man, and has
large magazines of goods at Deroo.
We had particular pleasure in visiting the populous village of
Ashoodp, which belongs to these Ababdes ; the inhabitants had
an unusual appearance of wealth and industry. The country
about was highly cultivated, and many herds of cattle were gra-
zing in the fields. It is remarkable that in these Arab villages
there is in general a greater spirit of exertion, and more inclina-
tion to improve, than in those inhabited by the common Fellahs
or J'iltains of the country. They have not indeed such an extent
of luxuriant soil to feed them, but their patriarchal government
is far milder than that of the tyrants of Cairo, and their property
is more secure: the instance we now witnessed might afford a
lesson to all who may hereafter have an interest in the revenues
and resources of Egypt, and induce them to make it the first
principle of their ceconomics, to tempt the different tribes of wan-
dering Arabs to exchange a life of privation and precarious
plunder, for a secure and profitable establishment in those culti-
vable spots which at present are as the Sandy Desert. One half of
the sufferings of the French was owing to their determination
never to be reconciled with these people. Their squadrons were
* The Caravan from the South brings gum, slaves, tamarinds, feathers, rhinoceros'
horns, ivory, gold-dust, &c.j on its return it takes amber, cloth, clothes, sword-blades,
iron coats of mail, mirrors and trinkets, cloves, pepper, &c.
m perpetually