KEUaiOUS OEGANISATION— ADMINISTEATIVE DIVISIONS. 445 



Yalley, but also with the native population itself, which is being brought daily 

 more under the influence of modern ideas. The time is probably approaching when 

 the cry of " Egypt for the Egyptians," already raised under unhappy auspices, will 

 again be heard in a way to command the respect and consideration of European 

 statesmen. 



Religious Organisation. 



For the Egyptian Mahommedan world the chief dignitary of the Mussulman 

 religion is still the Sheikh-el-Islam of Constantinople. Hence, in modifying the 

 laws of the country without first obtaining the sanction of this spiritual head of the 

 faithful, the British Government has shown a complete disregard and indifference 

 to the most hallowed traditions of the land. In Egypt itself the chief religious 

 authority is centred in the corporate body of doctors attached to the University of 

 El-Azhar in Cairo. 



The " Jacobite " or National Church of the Coptic Christians is governed by 

 the Patriarch of Alexandria, who, notwithstanding his official title, also resides 

 permanently in Cairo. Like the patriarchs of the orthodox Greek Church, he is 

 chosen not from the active clergy, but from amongst those leading a monastic life. 

 The priests themselves never take orders until they are married, but the principle 

 of celibacy is so far recognised that once become widowers they cannot contract a 

 second marriage. For analogous reasons, marriage with the widows of priests, 

 henceforth vowed to the Church, are also forbidden to all the faithful. The small 

 section of the Coptic Christians who recognise the spiritual headship of the Roman 

 pontiff have no national patriarch, but are governed by a bishop always conse- 

 crated in Rome. 



Administrative Divisions. 



For administrative purposes Egypt is divided into mudirieh, or provinces, 

 governed by a mudir, or prefect, who takes the title of mohafez in those provinces 

 which consist only of a large city and its suburban district. The mudirieh are in 

 their turn divided into marhaz or Msm, administered by officials bearing the title 

 of nazir, and these again into districts of the third rank known by diverse names, 

 corresponding to our circuits, cantons, parishes, and the like. 



The mudirs, or chief governors, administer their respective provinces in the com- 

 bined capacity of civil prefects, receivers of the revenues, and military commanders. 

 All the other provincial authorities are placed under the direct jurisdiction of these 

 mudirs, who, however, discharge most of their multifarious functions by means of 

 a vekil, or lieutenant, and with the aid of the notaries who form their dican or 

 private council. The havas and the bodies of police placed at their disposal are 

 charged with the maintenance of order amongst the fellahin or peasantry of the 

 rural districts. This duty is usually attended by little difficulty, thanks to the 

 naturally peaceful disposition of the inhabitants of Egypt, always ready to yield 



