ARABI IN CEYLON.

Kumara Times, Issue 2068, 16 April 1883, Page 2

ARABI IN CEYLON.

Arabi appears to be fairly contented in his new home, although the accommodation is not exactly to his or his companions’ tastes. It appears that all the Egyptian exiles are located in four large European houses, whereas each family would infinitely prefer a dwell-ing-house apart. The large houses they occupy are expensive to keep up, for there is little doubt that they are none of them very prosperous. Arabi’s personal effects on leaving Egypt, it is stated, did not amount to i 6200 in value, and it is now admitted that the expenses of defence were borne by Mr Winfred Blunt. The allowance of ,£1 per family per diem is to be shortly increased, But, in spite of discomfort and short commons, Arabi seems to pass his time pleasantly, and imitates another greater but no less unfortunate military commander, the first Napoleon, who beguiled his dreary exile in St. Helena by fighting his battles over again. Arabi’s comments upon the war in which he was worsted will be read with interest by all who watched or took part in the Egyptian campaign. On two moot points his evidence is very important. He clearly admits that he was repulsed at Khassassin by General Graham, and pays a willing tribute to the gallantry of that officer’s small force, which successfully resisted greatly superior numbers. This disposes of the , opinion put forward by some that the infantry under Graham was really saved by Drury Lowe’s cavalry. Again he admits that the garrison of Tel-el-Kebir was completely surprised when attacked, thus contradicting Sir E, Haraley, who, in his published account, states that the Egyptian cavalry discovered our advance before we reached the line of entrenchments. Arabi follows, too, with close attention the measures and reforms introduced into Egypt, and approves of Loi’d Dufferin’s scheme as to two Chambers and two Ministers. Only he would wish the latter to be Englishmen. He is now apparently a loyal well-wisher to and believer in England, and trusts us to make Egypt “ free, prosperous, and happy—a lasting record of England’s goodness and power.”