EGYPT AND HER PACHA. 299 



commenced with the army. European officers, chiefly French, were 

 invited by the Pasha to organize his troops ; and when we consider they 

 had to begin their labours in a country in which there did not exist a 

 single principle of military organization, to say nothing of the prejudices 

 of the people, the present condition of the Egyptian army, certainly 

 reflects the highest credit upon its masters. 



His first step was to reform the internal administration of the country, 

 and to create a navy, in both of which the Pasha has been eminently 

 successful. When we were at Alexandria, the Egyptian navy con- 

 sisted of three first rate line of battle-ships, eight frigates, fifteen cor- 

 vettes, six fire-ships, and two steamers. The greatest activity prevailed 

 in the arsenal to complete a three decker on the stocks, the command of 

 which was destined for a young Egyptian officer, who had attained the 

 rank of Lieutenant de Vaisseau in the French service. There is an 

 Egyptian gentleman, AH Effendi, who was sent with three others by the 

 Pasha, to this country, who was placed in His Majesty's ship Shannon, 

 and went out in her to the West Indies as a supernumerary lieutenant. 

 He messed in the gun-room, wore the uniform, and was subject in every 

 respect to the discipline of the ship. Not satisfied with sending several 

 of his subjects to the different countries of Europe to acquire a know- 

 ledge of their arts and sciences, he has established in Egypt, a school of 

 navigation, and for the army, an " ecole de I'etat major." One of his great- 

 est objects and cares has been, to establish safe and easy communications 

 between the most distant points of his dominions. A telegraphic com- 

 munication is carried on between Cairo and Alexandria, and between 

 the latter city and Acre, there is a dromedary " estqfette." Travellers 

 can now proceed even in the European costume to the Senaar, without 

 fear of molestation. 



Compared with that of the Sultan Mohammed, the reforming career 

 of Mohammed Ali has certainly been more successful ; but it must be 

 recollected, that the latter had more plastic materials to work upon. 

 We hope, for the common cause of humanity, that this truly great man 

 will live to complete those labours, which have commenced so auspi- 

 ciously, for it would be difficult to find a successor possessing to a simi- 

 lar extent, his liberal and enlightened views of policy. 



SONG. 



Forget the loves of former years 



And let thy heart go free to-night, 

 Where young and beckoning beauty wears, 



Her full enchantments brave and bright ; 

 And bid thy mournful memory close, 



Her book of tear-stained leaves awhile ; 

 The wise will never scorn a rose, 



Though rarer flowers have ceased to smile. 



What though the stars that used to blaze, 



In shade and gloom have all gone by, 

 Be sure 'tis idly wasting days 



To mourn, while others deck the sky. 

 Then smile nor thus with brow of scorn 



A shade across our fragrance cast ; 

 The bard can love the sunny morn, 



Though dream-land's brighter shows have passed. * 



ii. F. e. 



X2 



