SOCIETY IN EGYPT.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2954, 3 August 1878, Page 4

SOCIETY IN EGYPT.

In social matters, Cairo was the headquarters during the winter months, and even the resident Alexandrians generally contrived to make one or more visits to the inland city at that season; but such absences did not check the current of friendly intercourse among the families remaining in Alexandria, and the Khedive's balls were given partly in one capital and partly in the other. The resident foreign circle, limited in number, comprised representatives of all European, countries, besides many educated and agreeable persons who must be described as Levantines —that is, of families of European origin, but long established in the East. The French language was generally effective tb-solve the problem thrown upon the world at the building of the Tower of Babel, although Italian is perhaps more generally spoken in Egypt by natives who have learned only one I uropean language; and a knowledge of English is becoming every day more usual. The cultivated [Russians are masters of all tongues. Besides combining the differences of nationality and of language, the social circle united wide differences of religious faith. There were representatives of three Christian churches — the Greek, the lioman Catholic, and the Protestantwhile there were a number of Israelites equal to the average of either of the other confessions. When the ladies gave an entertainment for general charitable objects, the proceeds would be divided into four portions to meet this diversity. Yet in a society composed of elements thus various in every point of view, the utmost harmony prevailed, and the forms of politeness seemed natural rather than artificial. The foreign residents brought with them the usages of their respective countries, but these have become in some degree assimilated and adapted to the local conditions. On receiving a visit, the Oriental custom prevails in almost all houses of offering some refreshment to the guest, generallyfi cup of coffee. The servants have the coffee-pot at hand, to be placed over the fire at the same moment that they are aroused to answer a summons to the door, so that they may bring the cup already filled into' the saloon aa soon as the guest has entered. At evening parties ices are several times aeived, with bonbons and petits gateaux in profuse abundance. A heavy supper is considered less necessary ; but when one is served, arrangements are made to seat the guests, the tables being several times renewed for this purpose. Whether at large , or small parties there is a card room for the gentlemen, in which there is smoking throughout the evening; for in an Oriental country the idea of enjoyment would scarcely attach, in the minds of the sterner sex, to time, spent without that solace. The English adhere to their dinner customs throughout the world ; but in the houses of others, full-dress at dinner is not exacted, and less time was spent at the table, which the gentlemen quitted in company with the ladies at the conclusion of the repast.— Atlantic Monthly.