1836.
Fe. 32.

3

LIFT OF CODEN.

[omak

private troops who led the way, and whose white cotio?
garments, close jacket, and musket with bayonet, gave the?
a half European aspect. Here too we found onrselves sur”
rounded by numerous horsemen, who like ourselves wert
vroceeding at this, his customary hour of levée, to pay thei?
respects to the Pacha. At length we entered the gates of
the citadel, and immediately the road assumed a steep
winding character admirably adapted for the purposes of
defence, On each side, az we advanced, we found ourselves
snclosed by lofty walls, and, by the light of the burning
grate of pine-wood which was raised aloft in our van, 1
could distinguish the embrasures and loop-holes for musketry
I shuddered as I thought of the massacre of the Mamelukes:
which was perpetrated near this very spot, a deed unparalleled
in the annals of the world for perfidious and cold-blooded
atrocity.
“The circumstances of the massacre are briefly these
Mehemet Ali having by a series of daring attacks, and
aided by much cunning artifice, deposed the Mameluke
rulers who had governed Hgypt for more than seve?
centuries, and placed himself upon the throne of the country:
made a kind of capitulation with the fallen chiefs, by which
he agreed to give them support and protection. In conse
juence they came to reside in great numbers in Cairo:
where they conducted themselves peaceably. On the occasion
 of a f8te in honour of his son, the Pacha invited the
Mamelukes to attend and assist at the festivities. They
tered the palace of the citadel, to the number of 470;
Iressed in their gorgeous and picturesque costume, but
without arms. Mehemet Ali received them with smiles
and it was remarked that he was more than usually cour
beous. They departed, their hearts lighted up with a glow
by his affability, and proceeded in a gay procession dow?
1 The massacre of the Mamelukes took place on Maron 1. 181%.