YATES ' S MODERN HISTORY AND CONDITION OF EGYPT.

FROM an incidental allusion to the death of Sir HUMPHRY DAVY, Dr. YATES appears to have found himself at Malta about 1830, bent upon a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine to examine the condition and diseases of those countries. According to the Doctor's rather ample statement of the matter, his intention caused a greater sensation at Malta, through the dread of the plague, than we should have thought possible within these twenty years. The plan, becoming the town-talk of Valetta, came to the ears of Mr. BRADSHAW, the American Consul at Lyons, then on a trip ad libitum either given or taken. This gentleman introduced himself to Dr. YATES; the two sailed for Alexandria, travelled to Cairo by the now abandoned route of Rosetta, and, after seeing the usual curiosities of the city and its vicinity, ascended the Nile to the second cataract, and then came back again.

The narrative of all this, told with elaborate minuteness, and interspersed with reflections and quotations to show the writer's reading, as well as with some apt illustrations of Scripture from still existing customs, occupies a good portion of the two large volumes. The remainder of the text is occupied by some account of the condition and capabilities of Egypt, so far as Dr. YATES had means to, observe it and ability to apprehend it ; a sketch of the career of Moksaamen Ar-r, with the Doctor's opinion of his cha- racter and government, brought down to the present time by means of-private and public information ; and a few scattered medical remarks, and such observations upon the people as his profession enabled him to make. A bulky appendix of documents, rarely of much importance, is affixed to each volume. Bad the narrative been freely condensed, and such portions of the general remarks as were derived from the author's experience been published at the time the tour was made, the work might have passed as a fresh and readable book of travels, although not telling much that was really new. Appearing when the facilities of steam have made the route a part of the grand tour—when guide-books, not to speak of travels, have been published about Egypt, and steam-companies advertise the Nile as part of a pleasant trip—the value it might once have had is considerably diminished ; espe- cially as the author's historical and political disquisitions have no novelty of view or force of style to render them attractive. Mr. Sr. Joint, and later writers, have questioned the policy of the Pasha, and denounced the tyranny which has accompanied its progress. The striking incidents in Motrammsn's early career have been often told, and with greater effect than by Dr. YATES; whilst the accouut of the Syrian war is curt and Jejune, telling nothing but what everybody knew, and not always that correctly. One striking point of the affair was the conclusion. The un- authorized convention of NAPIER—its rejection by the Syrian officers and Byzantine intriguers—the eager clutching at it by the Four Powers, frightened at an European war—and the return of the lucky old Commodore to ratify his rejected convention—are quite a diplomatic denouement : but if Dr. YATES knows all these, he

does not tell them. In his narrative it looks a regular jog-tro sort of thing. These remarks refer to the matter of the book. Its literary de feet is diffuseness. The author rarely leaves any thing in full bloom, but is not satisfied without running it to seed; a failing that often mars the effect of descriptions that have intrinsic in- terest, besides introducing much encumbering or needless writing. Of medical remarks Dr. YATES is unfortunately sparing, seeming to think them too professional; but the few he introduces are good and brief, for, understanding his subject, he can see the essential points. Here is a sketch of ORIENTAL BARBER-SURGEONS.

Barbers in the East, as in Europe in the olden time, generally understand

the arts of cupping, bleeding, and tooth-drawing ; some of them pretend to set bones, and they are not unfrequently applied to for " nostrums ;" they are also expected to dress wounds and extract balls. Their manner of cupping is very simple; rude, but efficacious. They first apply a buffalo's horn to the skin by its broad end; the narrow end remaining open, the air is sacked out by the mouth. Atmospheric pressure causes the skin to rise ; the lips being with- drawn, the born is removed, and the parts beneath are scarified by means of a razor : the horn is instantly applied, and a second vacuum being created by aid of the lips, the blood flows. Cupping, and counter-irritation especially by the "moxa," or the actual cautery, are had recourse to by these people on almost every occasion; and they often do a great deal of good. In Persia and China, blood-letting is highly objected to, especially among the great, chiefly on superstitious grounds : and the same prejudice is believed to have facilitated if it did not cause the death of the late Princess Mirhmah, a daughter of the Sultan Mahmoud. She was the wife of Sayeed Pascha, who held the office of Seraskier ; and so great a favourite, that when she died a royal firman was issued interdicting all singing and music, and every other demonstration of joy, for several days to come. It seems that the princess was delivered of a still-born infant ; and symptoms of inflammation arising after a lapse of three days, the physician advised that she should be bled. The proposal being, how- ever, so novel, and so much at variance with established usage, (for it is thought presumption to spill the blood of a princess,) the wishes of the ll'akkim were re- sisted to the last ; and the royal patient sunk into the grave, another victim to the hydra of superstition.

EGYPTIAN DONKEY-HOTS.

There is not a more useful set of people in the country, especially in Cairo and Alexandria. Whatever we do, wherever we go, they are in request : we could not get on at all without them. They are sure to find out the residence of a Frank, and as sure to be at hand when needed. They watch his motions, and, like the secret police of Austria, can generally tell where he is to be found, which are his favourite haunts, and at what hour he reached his home the previous night. They are to be seen lurking about the corners of the streets in parties, with their ragged, jaded, scraggy-looking animals, waiting for a job. They are themselves as ragged, wretched, and emaciated ; and it is truly wonderful how they are able to support the fatigue which they are destined to Io through. They live but sparingly, and are at the call of every one, whether nfidel, Turk, or Jew. They are constantly on the alert ; watch the looks of every passer-by ; and at the smallest indication of assent, drag their meagre- looking beasts to the spot, vociferating all the way, abusing each other, scram- bling to arrive first, and sounding the praise of these most unfortunate of all the brute creation—animals which, to judge by appearances, would hardly have strength to transport themselves into the adjoining street, and therefore little calculated to bear the burden of a full-grown Turk, to say nothing of a saddle and trappings weighing twenty-five pounds. It is easy to perceive that neither man nor beast has more rest or more to eat than he kcows what to do with. Some bread, a few dates, a piece of gourd or melon, some " youart," (curd,) and a little rice occasionally, constitute the food of the one, and a buudle of chopped straw and a few beans the support of the other. Both sleep in the open air, or in a miserable shed surrounded by filth and rubbish. I have already described the manner of their proceeding, the hurried uncertain course of their existence, and the singular vivacity with which they wriggle their way along the crowded streets, threading the busy multitude, apparently without fatigue to either party. These boys must run several miles in the course of a few hours ; and their very locks betray the nature of their avocation. The countenance is always haggard, pale, and anxious, their breathing hurried, their whole visage and demeanour sharp and restless. As we might expect, they shorten their days, and very. many of them die of diseased heart. They are not predisposed to consumption ; for this is a disease that is seldom to be met with in Egypt; nor is asthma so frequent in its o arrence as we might imagine ci priori that it would be: still it occurs, and. I have no doubt, is brought on in these youths by violent exercise, and freq tent exposure to the heavy dews of the night. But " use is second nature "; and if they lived better, they would probably not only be unable to perform their work, but they would be rendered more susceptible of disease. They are generally satisfied with three or four piastres a day, and think themselves well paid. Many do not give them half that sum, and others take their donkies by force, especially the soldiers and " jacks in office," and give them nothing, except, perhaps, a severe beating. No wonder, then, that they prefer the service of a Frank, and particularly of an Englishman, who still preserves his character for liberality even in Egypt.

THE BEARD IN THE EAST.

Poor Burckhardt, who was better known in Egypt as " Sheikh Ibrahim,"

found his beard a great protection to him ; and those who have read his travels will remember, that on one occasion, a certain chief, doubting that be was a Mussulman, insulted him by pulling his beard, which was instantly resented by a blow : no further doubts were then entertained. To stroke the beard, or gently touch the end of it, is regarded as a compliment ; and it is a common practice among the Arabs thus to lay hold of it, admire, and smooth down the beard, when endeavouring to coax and flatter or make a bargain. It throws a man off his guard, and opens his heart. An Arab would almost as soon be deprived of a limb as be shorn of his beard : for, independently of the disgrace which the sons of Islam attach to such an operation, he feels that he is severed from an object to which he is bound by the strongest ties of affection. It is his constant friend and companion, let his circumstances alter as they may. He confers with it in difficulties and doubt ; he imparts to it all his secrets; it affords him diversion in solitude; and in the hour of adversity and trial it becomes his solace and resource. When thoughtful, be grasps it; when pleased, lie strokes it ; when vexed and excited, he pulls it. It is held sacred by every class, and it is referred to as a token of fidelity and honour. To swear by the beard, the beard of one's father, and the beard of the Prophet, is at all times sufficiently binding : and he who possesses a fine beard is invariably a person of commanding exterior, and an object of respect—for he cannot be very young, and he is therefore supposed to have some wisdom, and a certain degree of experience in human affairs.

In most parts of the East, those men who are by nature beardless are con-

sidered insignificant ; and in Persia, where this graceful appendage is so highly esteemed, they become objects of ridicule, and are quaintly denominated " Birish," " No beards." It may . well be supposed, then, that any slight offered to the beard in such countries is an unpardonable offence; and various

epithets are applied by individuals in token of their contempt or regard accord- ing as the case may be. Thus, to "laugh at his beard," and to "make play with another man's beard," signify to mock or cajole, and arc a direct insult to

manhood.

SaIVTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Arabs of the Desert commonly clothe themselves also in manufactures of camel's hair; and the article most prized by them is the " Intik," or cloak of that material : it is either black or white, with or without broad stripes; it consists of a square piece. with holes for the arms, and has no seam. The Dresses of Lebanon, and the people of Mesopotamia, not only wear a coat which is "without seam," but "of many colours," having variegated stripes proceed- ing to a point downwards from the shoulders, like a reversed pyramid. This is believed to be of the same description as that bestowed by Jacob on his favourite child. We are informed that our Saviour also wore " a coat without seam, woven from the top throughout "; and that, in the wilderness, St. John " had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins." The " sackcloth" of the Scriptures was a similar manufacture, but of the roughest and coarsest kind, like that which is worn by dervishes and reputed saints. It is still used for sacks and tent-covers. We can easily understand the necessity of a girdle; no persons with loose flowing robes can engage in active occupa- tions without first "girding up the loins "—that is, taking up a portion of their dress out of their way. Some lay aside their outer garment for the time ; others prepare to put forth their strength by fastening a belt or girdle round the waist, and by laying bare the arms to the shoulder. Thus, Elijah " girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to Jezreel" ; and the sacred writings abound in passages which, like this, illustrate the habits of those who wear the Oriental costume.