The Life, Death, And Heaven Of An Egyptian.

THE LIFE , DEATH , AND HEAVEN OF AN EGYPTIAN .

The hunter , Ishmael , and the chivalrous Saracen , as well as the bold crusader , Avho gallantly disputed every inch of Palestine soil are things of the past ; the former represented by the Swindling Skeikh , the latter two by the slavish Arab and the travelling dandy that employs him .

It would be very pleasant to go back to the times of Egypt's mysterious history , when men Avere blended with the Gods , and the dreamlike glory of their achievements seemed to justify this presumption , but the difference between the reality of Egyptian life and the visionary pursuits of their forefathers is too evident to be made

the subject of one and the same sketch . The population of the principal cities of Egypt is composed of the descendants of Romans , Greeks , Persians , Saracens , Arabs , Ethiopians , and modern Europeans ; the general maternity oftho middle classes is Abyssinian , which seems to be the most distinct and purest race of Africa .

lhe variety of feature , form , colour and charaeter resulting from such a mingling cf races can easily be imagined , the effect in respect to colour is much the same as if all the tints of the paint box had been mixed together , a modified brown being the result ; a colour to which it is easy to become reconciled to in the

complexion of the Avomen , who evidently believe to have plausible grounds for asserting that Adam and Eve were copper coloured , and havo therefore never become reconciled to our pale faces . The graceful garb , the flowing beard , and the majestic appearance of the Orientals , joined to their rich

colourings , their antique attitudes and various complexions present an unceasing series of tableaux vivants , in all eastern cities ; but in the country of Egypt the dress of the higher classes , consisting of a red cloth skull cap , over which is > vound a turban of green , black or white muslin , according to the rank of the Avearer , added to a robe of striped silk . Avith Avide sleeves , confined to the Avaist by a silken scarf , and made more attractive Avhen over it pours the brilliant sunshine of their climate ,

contrasts Avith the loose cotton drawers and chemise that seems to be the habitual costume of the pooi-er classes . The childhood of an Egpytian is passed in his mother's Harem in effeminacy , he is not Aveaned till eighteen months of age , and his infancy is proportionately prolonged , so that when ho goes to school , his education ^ limited to reading and Avriting in Arabic , and

sometimes a little arithmetic ; a young man Avho can repeat a good part of the Koran , and has some knowledge of Arab poetry , is a fine , promising , and accomrjlished young man , according to their ideas . Along the Nile , and among the villages , the poor man is occupied Avith agriculture , boat building , or the more laborious occupation of pumping water to irrigate the

fields , his lot being aggravated by privations almost unendurable , yet one can observe them the same proportion of merriment as in Italy , the homo of music , or in this country , the Eldorado of tho working man ; they feel that the cool Nile flows for them just as pleasantly , and the sun shines just as bright , on their hovels as on the palace of the Vice Soy .

The Life, Death, And Heaven Of An Egyptian.

In the cities , the man passes nearly all his time squatted on his divan or counter . Many of the shopkeepers are amateur tradesmen only , for being possessed of private property , they carry on their business for pleasure . The Moslem is strictly Unitarian , the prophet being only prayed to as an intercessor . He performs his

devotions five times a day , and sometimes twice in the night besides , and though every act of his life is prefaced by prayer , he is the slave of superstition , those shadows of the light of faith that haunt every action of his life-Handsome children aro generally kept dirty to avoid the dangerous effects of the Evil Eye , aud carry round their necks charms to guard them against accident or

misfortune ; when they yawn they ejaculate a prayer that the evil one may not jump down their throat , and Avben observing a falling star are sure to exclaim : ' -May God transfix the enemy of the faith . " Their resignation is the most respectable part of their creed , the most sudden and bitter misfortune being borne Avith humble patience .

Death itself is encountered Avith dignity and fortitude , no Moslem leaving home Avithout providing himself Avith a shroud , so that Avhen his hour is come , be it in the desert or in the bosom of his numerous family , he is ahvays ready to be summoned to the embrace of the Houris that awaits him in the seven heavens , where he finds the extreme of sensual enjoyment as a reward for

the mortification he experiences on earth , so that in reality , according to his faith , his self-denial is only that of a man AVIIO abstains from lunch to eat a hearty dinner . According to the Koran , the heavenly harem consists of three hundred black-eyed Houris , all paragons of beaut }' , while thousands of eunuchs are ready to do his strictest bidding , and pander to his taste , every luxury of every appetite is to be found there and every comitant , except satiety and indigestion .

Poerty.

Poerty .

THE SACRED CORD . Much is made in the Hindoo mysteries of " The Sacred Cord , " thrice twisted with secret ceremonies , and thrice wound about the neophyte ' s person . These lines were suggested hy this .

Bind it once , that in his heart He may surely hold All the mysteries of the Art . As in the Craft of old ; Bind it once , and make the noose Strong , that time shall not unloose . Bind it twicethat Mason ' s law

, , Faith and Charity , Ever may his spirit draw In resistless tie ; Bind it twice , aud make the noose Stronger—death alone shall loose . Bind it thrice , that every deed , Virtuous and chaste

, On the Heavenly page be spread , Worthy of the best ; Bind it thrice , and make the noose Strongest—death shall not unloose . New York Dispatch ^