DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0227
194 THAVELS IN EGYPT, NUBIA,
by his sons and minister, but has an army of eight thousand
men at his disposal.
Every traveller who visits Acri hears some additional
story of the cruelty of Djezzar. It is terrible to think how
man can treat his fellow. The number of faces without
noses and ears, strikes every one who has visited this part
of Syria : yet, even after this punishment, it was no un-
common thing for him to keep men in his employment: of
this there is a remarkable instance in the person of the
richest Jew at Acri, whom I saw; he exercised some office
of trust in his service, and continues still to do so in the
seraglio of the present Pasha.
Though what I am about to relate was told me at Cyprus,
yet, as I heard the story from the person who was our vice-
consul at Acri when it took place, its truth may be confided
in, and it may with propriety be introduced here. Djezzar
had reason to suspect fraud in the conduct of some of the
officers of his seraglio; and, as he could not discover the
offenders, he had between fifty and sixty of them seized,
stripped naked, and laid on the ground, and to each placed
a couple of janissaries, who were ordered to hew them in
pieces with their swords. This execution was seen by the
relater, and described with every aggravation of horror that
may be supposed attached to such an event. Yet the bar-
barian who caused the execution died in his bed!
by his sons and minister, but has an army of eight thousand
men at his disposal.
Every traveller who visits Acri hears some additional
story of the cruelty of Djezzar. It is terrible to think how
man can treat his fellow. The number of faces without
noses and ears, strikes every one who has visited this part
of Syria : yet, even after this punishment, it was no un-
common thing for him to keep men in his employment: of
this there is a remarkable instance in the person of the
richest Jew at Acri, whom I saw; he exercised some office
of trust in his service, and continues still to do so in the
seraglio of the present Pasha.
Though what I am about to relate was told me at Cyprus,
yet, as I heard the story from the person who was our vice-
consul at Acri when it took place, its truth may be confided
in, and it may with propriety be introduced here. Djezzar
had reason to suspect fraud in the conduct of some of the
officers of his seraglio; and, as he could not discover the
offenders, he had between fifty and sixty of them seized,
stripped naked, and laid on the ground, and to each placed
a couple of janissaries, who were ordered to hew them in
pieces with their swords. This execution was seen by the
relater, and described with every aggravation of horror that
may be supposed attached to such an event. Yet the bar-
barian who caused the execution died in his bed!