Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/29

Rh oppressive or unjust; and though they could not but look upon the mode of redress by armed force as a very high-handed proceeding, yet they sympathized with the National party to this extent, that they thought that the Egyptians were very hardly treated; that they had been crowded to the wall; and that the course of France and England towards Egypt, had not been worthy of two powerful nations dealing with a country that was both weak and poor. The knowledge of this sympathy, which was openly expressed, made our countrymen very popular in Cairo; the people appreciated their friendly feeling; they knew that we had not meddled in their affairs, and had no part in the oppressive taxation under which they were suffering; and we were often entertained by hearing their bands strike up our national airs. The culmination of this era of good feeling was at a public demonstration on Washington's birthday, which our Consul, with General Stone and some Americans passing the Winter here, thought it would be a pleasant thing to celebrate. Accordingly they got up a grand dinner at our Hotel, to which they invited all the Ministers of the Khedive. It is not a common thing to see this mingling of Arabs and Europeans, but it would not have excited remark were it not that recent events led many to regard it as a political demonstration, and indeed some who were in official positions felt constrained not to take part in it lest their action might be so interpreted.

However, the dinner came off, and proved an unique affair. It brought together a distinguished company. All the Ministers of the Khedive were present, among whom the greatest curiosity was manifested to see Arabi Bey, the leader in the recent military movement. In leading the army against the Government, he was guilty of an insubordination, for which, had Ismail Pacha been still