DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0160
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 127
manded instant satisfaction of the Pasha, who wanted to
compromise the matter: but this, however, was not allowed ;
a public insult required a public satisfaction, which at last
was made in the following way: the aga was to ask pardon
of the vice-consul, in the presence of the other vice-consuls
at Damietta; was to pay back the^sum levied from the vice-
consul's friends; and to fire a salute in front of his house
when the British flag was again hoisted.
After the first ceremonies of welcome had taken place,
the usual refreshment of pipes and coffee was introduced,
and the room soon filled with Turks, Arabs, Christians, and
Jews. An interpreter, dignified by the name of Cancelliere
of the Consulate, was the only man in the European dress
except myself. It was evident that the company present
were courting the favour of their host, who had been left
possessed of considerable wealth by his father, and was in-
clined to diffuse it.
A European is always an object of curiosity to the inha-
bitants of Eastern countries; and it requires some philo-
sophy to bear the variety of silly questions that are put, and
remarks that are made. I was glad to retire to my apart-
ment, which Avas comfortable. This, like most others in the
East used for sleeping, was raised at each end about half
a foot above the floor, leaving a passage sunk in the same
degree from the door to the opposite side of the room of
manded instant satisfaction of the Pasha, who wanted to
compromise the matter: but this, however, was not allowed ;
a public insult required a public satisfaction, which at last
was made in the following way: the aga was to ask pardon
of the vice-consul, in the presence of the other vice-consuls
at Damietta; was to pay back the^sum levied from the vice-
consul's friends; and to fire a salute in front of his house
when the British flag was again hoisted.
After the first ceremonies of welcome had taken place,
the usual refreshment of pipes and coffee was introduced,
and the room soon filled with Turks, Arabs, Christians, and
Jews. An interpreter, dignified by the name of Cancelliere
of the Consulate, was the only man in the European dress
except myself. It was evident that the company present
were courting the favour of their host, who had been left
possessed of considerable wealth by his father, and was in-
clined to diffuse it.
A European is always an object of curiosity to the inha-
bitants of Eastern countries; and it requires some philo-
sophy to bear the variety of silly questions that are put, and
remarks that are made. I was glad to retire to my apart-
ment, which Avas comfortable. This, like most others in the
East used for sleeping, was raised at each end about half
a foot above the floor, leaving a passage sunk in the same
degree from the door to the opposite side of the room of