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" Then the woman related that the devil had appeared and earned away every , at which Noor-ed-Deen expressed incredulity . Whilst he was speaking , the wba appeared by his side ; and , says the narrative , every dish in succession : S tn at £ » t the Sheikh himself came forth , and took his place on the other side of + 1 ^ furn opposite tbe master of the house . The latter , who at once saw that he h I an honest face , invited him to sup ; which he did . Afterwards , having begged ission , ^ bd-el-Hai related his whole story in presence of the faithless wife , and Laving concluded , dragged forth the culprit , exclaiming ,. < This is the man that stole v cattle , and this is the man that hath taken thy wife !' " The behaviour of the husband under these circumstances was what I have often heard recommended by Arabs , although they rarely have the discretion to nractise it . .. .. .. .......
« < Woman , ' said Noor-ed-Deen , addressing his wife , ' it appeareth that thy mind and thy eyes have wandered from me ; and such being the will of God , I submit without exercising my right of punishment . Perchance , because I am a grave man , not much loving boisterous merriment and the tinkling of musical instruments , thy heart hath yearned in preference for this youth ; but if thou wert ¦ weary of preparing my food and bearing children for me , in return for my tenderness and care , why not tell me thy thoughts freely ? I would have cheerfully rel eased thee from thy duty . As it is , even , depart in peace . I inflict upon thee the triple sentence of divorce . And now , Ahmed / he added , addressing the robber and seducer , ' I learn that the cattle which thou and thy brothers brought back from the fair , were not bought , but stolen . Return all to the owner , with whatever he may exact in compensation for the trouble thou hast given him . If , further , thou wilt take this woman as thy wife , when her time is completed , it will be well . '" The farcical position of Abd-el-Hai in the oven , eating the dishes which the woman fondly supposes she is bestowing on her paramour , and the ¦ dignified sadness of the outraged husband , are both highly dramatic . Apropos of husbands , here is a grim dramatic story , which might have been written by Dumas : — " Some years ago , the Zabit Bey , or head of the police—then a more important character than at present—was making his rounds on horseback , accompanied by Abu Halim , the executioner , a sais , and a torch-bearer . He had passed from the Bab-en-Nasr to the Kara Meydan , and found all quiet ; not a soul abroad ; not a single suspicious sound in the air . He was about to retire to his palace , when the
fancy struck him to explore a mass of ruined houses near the southern end of the SqUare—famous as a resort of robbers . ' Being a bold man , danger did not appal him ; and leaving his horse and sais under the shadow of a wall , he penetrated , followed only by his constant attendant , Abu Halim , into the gloomy alleys that intersect the suspicious quarter . He wandered about for some time without seeing anything to reward his industry ; but at length a light , twinkling in a distant ruin , attracted his attention . Loosening his pistols , and feeling that his sword worked easily in the scabbard , Abu Halim keeping still at his heels , the Zabit began to climb cautiously over a heap of rubbish , and following a low wall , broken down here and there , at length reached the neighbourhood of the ^ light .
" It burned in a small room , the roof of which yet remained , whilst one side was half ruined . Three men—two fellahs , the other a black—sat there , talking unreservedly , as if quite secure from being overboard . At first it was difficult to understand the subject ; but tho practised ear of the Zabit at length made out , from Aery disjointed materials , a most terrible story . It appeared that the black was tho slave of a very distinguished person in Cairo , an Eflendi , whose name I forget , but whose character for benevolence and kindness of disposition was wide-spread . He had not long before married a young wife , and had become so enamoured of her that he had dismissed all his concubine slaves , and had determined to devote himself entirely to the beautiful Kadugnh . As he was si very wealthy , besides being an excellent man , every one celebrated the good fortune of tbe bride ; and it was repeated even in the baths among the women , generally so clear-sighted , that she ; was the happiest bride in Cairo . "' From the conversation of the three miscreants in the ruin , tho Zabit first
learned the falsity of this opinion . Not only did the young woman detest her husband , in spite of his fine qualities ; but she was enamoured of a worthless young rake , named Kelim Aga , who gave more trouble to the police by his pranks than hiilf-n-dozen thieves . She had already contrived to have several interviews with him , and her passion increasing , had devised a plan for assassinating her husband , Jl uniting herself in < luo time with her paramour . It was to plain the consummation of this crime that the black , no other than the lady ' s confidant , bad summoned two villains of bis acquaintance to a midnight conference . After some deputing of ( , ]„ , pr ; i ; Oj ;( , W 11 H agreed that next evening tho assassins should be mli » il t « 'd into tin , { Tiirden , where the husband used to sit and enjoy his key f with the treacherous Kadiiimh .
" Under other dreum . stnnceM tho Zabit would have at once presented himself , : "i < l , trusting to the awe inspired by his position , have arrested the plotters ; but hti thought to himself that the Kllemli , known to he infatuated with his wife , "light disbelieve in her participation , and might thus , though once , saved , fall a Vl < -thn at u future period . Hesides , it must be confessed that he was not quite m » ' « of tho complicity of Selim Agu , and hoped that that young scamp might < 'oininit himself ho fur as to render himself liable to punishment , and thus relieve ?¦ he polio ,, „ ., „„ , () f - j ] ,, / ,,. (; hi , if annoyances . Me resolved , therefore , to be pru-< l ( ' » t , and allowed the conclave to break ' up in peace . Then he returned to where his l »<) m , wait , ; , ! , and rod *) home quite elated sit being engaged in ko exciting an adven ture .
' <> couiplicul , : _ "Kh ! sound that might wsu-n the criminals of their danger , knowing ( hat Inn own ' ' would thus be perilled ; hut . he resolved next morning to go forth nnd endeavour to nave him , in favour of whom spoke the eloquent voice ; of Mood . Whilst 'll ( ' Zuhit yet slept , therefore , Abu Halim was abroad , and directing his steps tow » r < Is some of the well-known haunts of criminals . Ho penetrated boldly everyv "''' (! , exciting surprise and curiosity , for his otlico was known , hut molested by "one . l (' ol . . ,,,. j hours he passed from collce-house to coffee-house , from ruin to riu . nnd now and then ventured to ask if n man , his brother , with mieli and such '"• r k . s , J 1 ; i < i j )( 1 (> n ( hcr (> . Hut lie was unsuccessful , and returned , agitated , to the l > illilc ( . . t ] , A 1 )( . ' '; hour afterwards , one of tho police spies cumo , and whispered into 10 / ul ) l t ' H ear , « Abu Jlnlim hu » been abroad thin morning , inquiring for Inn
brother , described in such-wise ; but he has been disappointed . ' ' Good ! ' said the Zabit , who understood all ; and anticipated with ferocious glee a more dramatic termination to the adventure than it at first promised . " No warning was given to the Eflendi ; but immediately after it was dark a number of men concealed themselves in the neig hbourhood of his garden ; whilst the Zabit himself , by means of a false key , got in , attended by Abu Halim and two other officers . They -went and took their station in a thick grove of fig-trees mixed with bananas , in the neighbourhood of the lighted kiosque , selected as the theatre of the intended crime . When they were in position the Zabit turned to Abu Halim , and said , touching a pistol— ' One word—a loud breath—the grating of a pebble , and thou art a dead man !' " Hader ! ' replied the executioner , touching his head with his right hand , and beginning to tremble .
" The assassins were to be admitted by the same gate that had been used by the Zabit ; and in about an hour the black came down the garden , looking cautiously about , and let them in . They hid themselves in an old ruined kiosque , not far from the brightly-lighted new one ; and little thought that they were observed from all sides , that the head of the police himself was there , and that every avenue of retreat was guarded . " Selim Aga had only in reality heard some vague hints of what was to be done , and had turned oft * the idea with laughter . The fact was , he did not wish a mere intrigue to end in a marriage , especially in such a way . Kadugah , however , in
order , perhaps , to compromise him , had given him a rendezvous that evening , and expected him to arrive as soon as the murder was concluded . She had so arranged her plans , that she felt certain of success ; and believed that the death of her husband would be attributed to any one rather than to herself . It happened , howexer , among other things , to her disappointment , that a former , mistress of Selim , who lived in the street , and who still loved him , had noticed his frequent visits , and on that night had seen the police-officers concealing themselves . She guessed that the young rake might be in danger , and going forth , threw herself in his way , and warned him to retire to his house ; which he did .
" Meanwhile , servants had brought supper to the kiosque , and the Effendi had eaten , whilst Kadugah waited upon him with more than usual complaisance . She was a most stately personage to behold ; and the Zabit , as he looked at her , thought what an awkward thing it would be for him were she not guilty , as he now , having violated the harim , fervently hoped she really was . Suspense was soon at an end ; for Kadugah , having noticed a sign from the attendant black , suddenly , her face changing to that of a demon , rose and began to pour out all her hate in the ears of her astonished husband . At the same time the murderers rushed forth ; but the Zabit , sword in hand , leaped into the kiosque ; his men followed ; others , who had quietly got over the wall , burst out on all hands ; and the three criminals , includingthe black , were secured .
" The horrible scene that ensued may be lightly passed over . The Zabit , with unnecessary ferocity , compelled Abu Halim to execute his own brother and the other culprits on the spot , and then insisted that Kadugah likewise should be put to death . But the Effendi could not be brought to consent , until the Zabit reminded him that she had been seen unveiled by a dozen men . Then the wretched husband hid his face in his hands , and Abu Halim did his work without reluctance . Next day , the Zabit went to the house of Selim Aga , and asked to see him . The young man , pale and trembling , rose as he entered ; but fell back as if struck by a thunderbolt when , holding ; out a bloody handkerchief , the stern official muttered , ' Prom Kadugah ! ' The story was soon told ; and it is said that Selim , well frightened , became a reformed man from that time : but who believes in reformed rakes , reformed smokers , or reformed gamblers ?" We shall return to these volumes for further illustrations of Egyptian life .
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WELLS EliOWN'S TTHIEK YEAltS IN EUROPE . Three J ^ ears in JUnropc , or Places I have seen , and 1 ' cojple I have Met . HyAV . Wells lirown , a fugitive slave . Charles Gilpin . An expressive picture , by Tintoretto , represents a poor ( slave in the hands of the hangman , about to be tortured , for having presumed to adopt the Christian faith , and to pay his devotions at the shrine of / St . Mark . To the astonishment of the executioner and the assembled people , St . Mark descends from heaven , and breaks ( he rack intended for tlio humble follower of the Cross . Thus the apostle is made to remove all distinctions in the matter of religion , betwixt man and man , which pride and tyranny has set up . This old picture ought to be engraved and distributed among the Christian citizens of the Southern Slates of America . They would not fail to understand its purport . It is a " mutely eloquent" protest against slavery .
Miracles arc not necessary now to assure us of the course we should pursue when oppression and its degrading consequences have to be judged . We pity those polite citizens of the great republic , whose beggarly condition and sordid tastes drive them to pursue a trallic so revolting . Wo shall not condescend to dispute their right and title to trade in human flesh and blood . We are outraged by tho bare conception of slavery , and by the Hort of reasoning employed in its defence . To talk , tor instance , ol the relative merits of this organization over that :, ot the superiority of the Whites over the . Blacks , and to find in thai . a . plea Cor oppression , is only a feeble attempt to satisfy scruples which ought never to be compromised . We have before us an interesting volume , ably writ , ( en , bearing on every page the impress of honest purpose and noble aspiration , and ( lie author ( such is tho slate of things ) dares not lift his head in any city of America , lest ho should be hunted down like a beast of the Held . On this
account , Mr . Wells . Brown takes refuse in lOngland . Thus the young republic of America , is accredited , and truly , with a , ' character only to be paralleled by despotic government in l ^ urope . . It appea rs that a Mr . lOnoch Price is the legal owner of Mr . Wells Brown . Mr . Price cHtimntcH ( he value of IV ! r . lirown , in the light of merchandise , at the round sum of J 525 dollars , and is willing , on the receipt of so much money , to award Mr . Brown his liberty . Legally the master is entitled to the proceeds of our fugitive slave ' s literary labours . Mr . Brown ' s new work is composed of a . series of letters , written , from time to time , to friends in tho United States ; where some of the letters have appeared in a journal conducted by . Frederick Douglass . Popular events , of recent occurrence in . Englund and in Turin , ( whither our author
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October 23 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 1023
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 23, 1852, page 1023, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1957/page/19/
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