CAIRO. 
387 
told me his uncle had sent him over to Gheza to make arrange- 
ments for my visit to the Pyramids, that he was taking over many 
men, that more were passing by Boulac, and that he expected, in 
the course of the evening, every thing would be settled, in which 
case he would send to me. He now began to joke with the Mame- 
luke boys around him, and obliged one to own himself a French 
lad, and speak in his native language to us. He was an odd looking, 
little animal in his Mussulmaun dress, and carried his master's snuff- 
box. The conversation then turned on Jidda, and he told me he 
was going there when Egypt was quiet. I warned him against the 
Sheriffe ; he replied, he knew him w^ell, and would take care of him. 
I should myself much doubt if Taher Pacha will ever go to Jidda. 
His uncle was appointed originally, but when the revolution gave 
him Egypt, he appointed this young man in his stead, but has 
hitherto kept him here. The Porte can hardly choose to give an 
office of such high respectability to so young a man, and the rela- 
tion of a person whom they already fear. I have been told that, in 
general, the Pachalic of Jidda has been considered as an honourable 
banishment for life, as the Sultaun himself is obliged to rise to re- 
ceive the minister of so holy a place on his return, to avoid which, 
as being derogatory to the dignity of the sovereign, he is never 
recalled. 
I heard an anecdote of the present Sultaun Selim, which, if true, 
does him the highest honour. On his accession, the Pacha of Jidda 
was his tutor, for whom he had the greatest regard. He determined 
to recall him, but the Divan remonstrated, representing the inde- 
corum of his getting up to receive him. " What," said he, " shall 
I be ashamed to get up to my second father? no, let him be sent 
