DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0065
HOLY IAXD, AXD CYPRUS. 45
the head-dress of the ancient Egyptian deities, and Avhich I af-
terwards found to be that of the women in Nubia. Upon my
inquiring of them whether they were of the true faith of Ma-
homet, their countenances brightened up into a look of great
cheerfulness, and they answered, " Yes, praised be God!"
At Siout remarks were made to me of the character of
the Turks high in rank, which was said to apply to most of
that nation who attain power. A Turk never loves, never
has friendship ; he is swayed by interest alone ; will befriend,
will love, as long as it is convenient. A mistress pleases him ;
yet, rather than she should be assisted in difficult labour of
child-birth, he will allow her to die: and long cohabitation
with a woman has been repayed by an attempt to poison her,
because a lingering illness brought trouble and expense to
her master or husband.
The Copts still appear to be the chief accountants in
Egypt, according to their former custom under the Marae-
louks. They have been restrained from their system of pe-
culation by the most terrible punishments, even to roasting
alive. I saw upwards of one hundred, in the service of Ibra-
him Pasha, employed in one room, which they never quitted
during the day, their meals being brought to them. Their
accounts were superintended by a Turkish Tefterdar, whose
threat of instant death on a trembling Copt, for some mistake
or neglect of accounts, 1 heard myself.
the head-dress of the ancient Egyptian deities, and Avhich I af-
terwards found to be that of the women in Nubia. Upon my
inquiring of them whether they were of the true faith of Ma-
homet, their countenances brightened up into a look of great
cheerfulness, and they answered, " Yes, praised be God!"
At Siout remarks were made to me of the character of
the Turks high in rank, which was said to apply to most of
that nation who attain power. A Turk never loves, never
has friendship ; he is swayed by interest alone ; will befriend,
will love, as long as it is convenient. A mistress pleases him ;
yet, rather than she should be assisted in difficult labour of
child-birth, he will allow her to die: and long cohabitation
with a woman has been repayed by an attempt to poison her,
because a lingering illness brought trouble and expense to
her master or husband.
The Copts still appear to be the chief accountants in
Egypt, according to their former custom under the Marae-
louks. They have been restrained from their system of pe-
culation by the most terrible punishments, even to roasting
alive. I saw upwards of one hundred, in the service of Ibra-
him Pasha, employed in one room, which they never quitted
during the day, their meals being brought to them. Their
accounts were superintended by a Turkish Tefterdar, whose
threat of instant death on a trembling Copt, for some mistake
or neglect of accounts, 1 heard myself.