Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/242

Rh "When a governor, for some offense, or through inability to satisfy the rapacity of the effendis, and other followers of the pasha, is put out of office, some member of a rival faction immediately repairs to head-quarters. With large sums of money, and presents, he buys the good-will of the pasha's secretaries and chief councilors, and through their mediation and influence succeeds to the governorship. As soon as he is installed in office he uses all means in his power, just or unjust, to recover with interest the money which he had dispensed in bribes. He levies impositions on the poor and unprotected, and plunders with impunity all who dare not or can not resist his  power. It devolves upon him to appoint the sheikhs of all the villages in the district. Those who were already in  office under his predecessor are allowed to remain if they make sufficient and appropriate presents to him at the time of his accession. If they neglect to do this the offices are given to those who make larger offers.

"This state of affairs has lasted for many years, and in the year 1851 five hundred people were killed and as many wounded in a conflict between these rival factions. The consequence was that a decree was made that none of either family should ever again fill any important office in Jebel Nablûs. But," continued my brother, "this decree has been disregarded, and the Abdul Hady family has succeeded in ingratiating itself with the Government; Mahmoud Bek Abdul Hady is chief Governor of Nablûs; his cousin, Saleh Bek—whose brother, Mohammed Bek, reigns at Arrabeh, the stronghold of the family—is Governor of Hâifa. On account of the present rebellion of the people against Mahmoud Bek, the chief Governor, Kamîl Pasha has encamped at Nablûs with a large body of cavalry, but he is in great difficulty. He is surrounded by intriguing councilors, who do not scruple to take bribes, and bind themselves to  factions. My mission just now is simply to watch carefully, and report to Mr. Finn all that is going on, and to find out, if possible, the real position