CONDITION OF THE LOWER CLASS OF THE EGYPTIANS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 740, 23 June 1876, Page 3

CONDITION OF THE LOWER CLASS OF THE EGYPTIANS.

The condition of the lower classes of population of Egypt is very deplorable. They have no voice in the Government, and are little if any better than serfs and slaves on the great landed estates of the Pashas, who exercise almost an absolute power of life and death over these miserable creatures, called fellahs. The Government may at any time seße and place large numbers of them at labor on the canals or other public works of the country, or draft them into the army without even an allowance of daily food as compensation Recourse is had to the lash and the bastinado, to wring from the miserable people all in the way of taxes that an absolute and exacting Government may choose to demand of those whom it considers as its property, to have and to use as it may see fit. In fact, the whole treatment of the people by the Government is brutal in the extreme. No real sign of progress can be seen any where, ami the antiquarian can contrast the signs of an ancient national splendour with the sickening evidences of decay everywhere visible at the present time in this miserable country. Centuries of oppression and ignorance must leave its mark deeply and indelibly stamped on the character of any people, and the Arabs of Egypt are no exception to its debasing results, to which may be added the evil effects of their religions teaching and training, leaving them without patriotism or love of freedom sufficient either to achieve independence and good government or to successfully resist foreign invasion if it should come.

If ’a young lady wished a gentleman to kiss her, what papers would she mention ? No “Spectator,” no “Observer,” but as many “ Times” as you like. Wo wish to add that alio would like it done with “ Despatch,” no “Register" or “Journal” kept of it; and for him not to “ Herald” it, or mention it to a “Recorder,” or “ Chronicle” it abroad. Her lips should be the only “ Repository,” and the “ Sun” should be excluded aamuch as possible. If a “Messenger” got it, the “'World” would soon know it. A young lady lately explained to an editor the distinction between printing and publishing, and at the conclusion, by way of illustration, she said, “You may print a kiss on my cheek, but you must not publish it."