DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6553#0204
APPENDIX.
125
man carries twenty-four rounds; and the remainder is conveyed
in tumbrels.
The hest troops were probably with Ibrahim Pasha in Syria;
therefore, a fair opinion of the army could not be formed from
those in Egypt; neither should the great difficulties, which the
Pasha had to encounter in its formation be forgotten, arising
from the idle and depressed habits of the population, their
extreme dislike to regularity, and to exertion, and particularly
to the military service, a dislike, that the manner, in which the
conscription was carried on (however necessary), could not but have
greatly increased ; and, if to these considerations be added the
prejudices and peculiar tenets of the Mahometan religion, the
energy and perseverance which have brought the army to its actual
state, will be clearly manifest; and, whatever imperfections may
exist, they will not be attributed to any want of vigour on the
part of the Pasha, or of his son Ibrahim. But, on the contrary, it
will be a matter of surprise, how such a population could be
rendered at all effective, and yet the Arab troops, particularly the
infantry, are considered the best.
I cannot give a decided opinion respecting the troops in Syria,
as I never saw any considerable number under arms, but I have
occasionally met regiments of cavalry on their march in that
country ; and they were well mounted, and armed ; their horses
were in good condition ; their baggage small; and they had few,
if any, stragglers. The men were stout and serviceable, and ap-
parently healthy and in good spirits, and had not that sullen and
dejected look, so universally to be seen amongst the troops in
Egypt. One regiment in particular, which I met near Jaffa, had
the finest collection of high-bred horses I almost ever saw, which
might well be the case, as they had taken possession of the best
horses, they could find in the country.
I attended several drills near Cairo, they were entirely on the
French plan, and chiefly under French instructors; from whom,
as well as from the other officers, I received every civility. The
stables, considering the habits of the people, were clean, and in
good order ; and their appointments were in a serviceable state,
which was all that could be expected. They were, however, bad
horsemen, their bridle hands were stiff, and ill placed, and their
horses ill bitted ; the whole was, in fact, a bad imitation of
European equitations. They had lost the firmness and dexterity,
so often to be remarked in Eastern horsemanship, and moved
loosely and ill when in squadron.
125
man carries twenty-four rounds; and the remainder is conveyed
in tumbrels.
The hest troops were probably with Ibrahim Pasha in Syria;
therefore, a fair opinion of the army could not be formed from
those in Egypt; neither should the great difficulties, which the
Pasha had to encounter in its formation be forgotten, arising
from the idle and depressed habits of the population, their
extreme dislike to regularity, and to exertion, and particularly
to the military service, a dislike, that the manner, in which the
conscription was carried on (however necessary), could not but have
greatly increased ; and, if to these considerations be added the
prejudices and peculiar tenets of the Mahometan religion, the
energy and perseverance which have brought the army to its actual
state, will be clearly manifest; and, whatever imperfections may
exist, they will not be attributed to any want of vigour on the
part of the Pasha, or of his son Ibrahim. But, on the contrary, it
will be a matter of surprise, how such a population could be
rendered at all effective, and yet the Arab troops, particularly the
infantry, are considered the best.
I cannot give a decided opinion respecting the troops in Syria,
as I never saw any considerable number under arms, but I have
occasionally met regiments of cavalry on their march in that
country ; and they were well mounted, and armed ; their horses
were in good condition ; their baggage small; and they had few,
if any, stragglers. The men were stout and serviceable, and ap-
parently healthy and in good spirits, and had not that sullen and
dejected look, so universally to be seen amongst the troops in
Egypt. One regiment in particular, which I met near Jaffa, had
the finest collection of high-bred horses I almost ever saw, which
might well be the case, as they had taken possession of the best
horses, they could find in the country.
I attended several drills near Cairo, they were entirely on the
French plan, and chiefly under French instructors; from whom,
as well as from the other officers, I received every civility. The
stables, considering the habits of the people, were clean, and in
good order ; and their appointments were in a serviceable state,
which was all that could be expected. They were, however, bad
horsemen, their bridle hands were stiff, and ill placed, and their
horses ill bitted ; the whole was, in fact, a bad imitation of
European equitations. They had lost the firmness and dexterity,
so often to be remarked in Eastern horsemanship, and moved
loosely and ill when in squadron.