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Miscellany: The Ex-dey Of Algiers

Miscellany: The Ex-dey Of Algiers image
Parent Issue
Day
27
Month
May
Year
1844
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Hassein i-'acJia, the JJey or AJgiers, obliged to abdícate liis governmcnt when the French took possession of the country. and he withdrew to Europe with hïs familyand his troasnrcs. lic cavne to Naples and took lodgings at the Hotel 5 ittoria, then kept by M. Zill. with whom he was on very fricndly terms. The third floor was eniirely occupied by his suite and attendants, the fourtli was for himself and his treasures, the iifth-or the garrete he converted jpto his harem. - The Daily Advertiser quotesfrom Blackwood's Magazine an anecdote whichillustrates the views of an Eastern slaveholder in regard to the "rightsof property." in human beings, f rom which it appears that his notions, though similar in principie, are carriedsomeuhat further than the views of that class in this country. - Bangor Gazette. "One morning Hussein PaehaTs cook (a Nubian as black as ink, and as. shining as if he had been polished wíth a shoerbrush,) entered the kitchen of the hotel, and asked for the largest knife they had. The head cook gave hiña a sort of a carving-knife, some eighteen inches long, sharp as a razor, and pliant as a foil. The negro looked at it, shook his liead as if ïn doubt whether it would do; but neverjheless took itup siairs wifh him. Presently he brought it down again, and asked for a larger one. . Tbe cook opened all his drawers, and at last fonnd a sort of cutlass, which hehaïdly ever used on account of its enormous size. Wjth this the Nubian appeared more satisfied, and again went up stoirs. Five minutes afterwards he carne down for the third time, and returned the kniíe, askíng for a bigger one síill. The.cook:s curiosity was excited. and he inquired who vvanted the knife, and for wbat purpose. "The African told him very coolly thát the Dey, having left his dominions in a hurry, had forgotten to bring án executioher with him, and had conscquently ordered his cook tpget alargo knife and cut oñ the head of Ösmin, chief of the eunuchs, whp was., convicted of having keptsuch negligent watchand ward over his highness's seraglio, that some presumptuous Giaour had made a hole in the wal!, nd established a communication with Zaida, the Dey 's favorito odalisquë. Accordingly Osminwas to bc decapitated; and as to the oifending lady, the next time the Dey took an airing in the bay of Naples, she woüld be put into the boat in a sack, and consigned.to the keeping of the kelpies. Thunderstruck at such sumraary proceedings, the cook desired his Nubian brother to wait while he went for a larger knife; then hastening to M. Martin Zill, he told him wh'at he had just heard. "M. Martin Zill ran to the minister of pólice, and laid the matter before him. - His excellency got into his carriage and went to cali upon the De}r. "He found his highness reclining upon a divan, his back supported by cushions, smoking latakia in a chibuoque, while an icoglan scratched the soles of his feet and two slaves fanned him. The minister made his three salaams; the Dey nodded his head. 'Your highness,' said his excellency, {I am he minister of pólice.' 'I know you are,' answered the dey. 'Then your highness probably conjectures the motive of rny visit.''No. But y ou are welcome all the same.' 'I come to prevent your highness froin commitíing a crime.' 'A crimo! and what crime?' said ihe dey, taking tlie pipe f rom his mouth, and gazing al his interlocutor in tiie most profound aslonisliment. 'I wonder your highness should askthe question.' replied the minister. 'Isjtnot iníention'tocüt oft Osmin's head?' 'Tlní is no crime,' answercd the dey. 'Does not your highness purpose throwinE: ZaidS into the seá''That is no crime,' repeated thê dey. - 'I bought Osniin forfive hundred piasters, and Zaida for a thousand sequins. just as I bought this pipe Tor a hundred ducats.' 'Wol],' said the minister, 'ïvhat does your highness deduce from that?' 'That as this pipe belongs to me, as Í have bought it and paid fcr it,I may break it to atoms if I choose, and nobody has a right to object.' So saying, the Pacha broka his pipe, and threw the fragments into the middle of the rootn. 'All vèry wel!, as far as a pipe goes,' said the minister; 'but .Osniin, but ZaidaT 'Less than a pipe,' said the Dey gi-ave'Howl less than a pipe! A man less than a pipe!' A woman less than a pipe?''Osmin is not a man, and Zaida is no a woraan: they are slaves. I will cu off Osmin's head, and throw Zaida into the sea.' 'No!' said the magistrate. 'No.t ftt Naples at least.' 'Dog of a Christian!' shouted the dcv. 'do y ou knöw who Í am?' 'You are the ex-dey of Algiers, and I am fhe Neapolitan minister of police;and, ifyour deyship is irnpertinent, 1 shall send hirn to prison, added. ihe minister very coolly. 'To prison!' repeated the day, falling back upon his divan. 'To prisas' replied the minister. 'Very wejl,' said Htissein. CI leave Naples to-night.' 'Your highness is as free as air to go and tocóme. Neverthe'ess, I must make one condiiion. Before your departure, you will swear by the Prophet, that no harm shall be done lo Osmin and Zaida.' 'Osmin and Zaida belong to me, and I shall dp what I please with thora.' 'Then y'otrr highness will be pleased to deliver them over to me, to be punished according to the laws of the country; and until you do so, you .will not be al-' lowed to leave Naples.' Who will prevent me?' 'I will.' 'The pacha laid his hand on his dagger. The minister stepped to the window and made a sign. The next moment the tramp of heavy boots and jingle of spurs were heard upon the stairs; the 'door opened, and a gigantic corporal of gendarmes made his appearance, his right hand raised to his cocked hat, his left upon the seam of his trpwsers. 'Gennaro,' said the minister of pólice, 'if I gave you an order to arrest this gentleman, would you see any difficulty in executing if?' 'None, your excellency.' ' 'You are aware that this genlleman's name isllussein Pacha.' 'I was -not, your excellency.' 'And that, he is Dey of Algiers.' 'May ït please your excellency, I don't know what that is.' 'You see,' said the minister, turning to the dey. 'S hall I?' said Gennaro, taking a pair ofhandcuffs from his pocket, and advancing a pace towards the dey, who, on his part, took a step backwards. 'No replied the minister, 'it will not be necessary. His highness will do ás he is bid. Go and search the hotel for a man named Osmin, and a woman namedRaida Zaida, and take them both to the prefecture.' 'What!' cried the -dey; is this manto enter my harem?' 'He is not a man,' replied the minister; 'he ís a corporal of gendarmes. But if you do not wish him to go, send for Osmin and Zaida yöurself.' 'Will you promise to have them punished?' inquired the dèy. "Certainly; according to the utmost rigor of the law.' 'Hussein Pacha clapped his hands. A door concealed behind the tapestry was opened, and a slave entered the room.' 'Bring down Osmin and Zaida, said the dey. 'The slave crossed his hands on his breast, bowed his head and disappeared without uttering a word. The next -instant he carne back with the two culprits. "The eunuch was a little round fat fellow, with beardless face, and small hands and feet. Zaida was a beautiful Circassian, her eyelids painted with kool, her teeth blackened with betel, her nails reddened with henna. On perceiving Hussein Pacha, the eunuch feil upon his knees; Zaida raised her head. The dey's eyes flashed and he clutched the hilt of his kangiar. Osmin grew pale; Zaida smiled. The minister of pólice made a sign to the gendarme, who stepped up to the two captives, handcuffed them, and led them out of the roorn. As the doored behind them, the dey uttered a sound between asigh and a roar. "The magisti-ate lookedout of the winidow, till he saw the -prisoners and their escort disappear at the corner of the Strada Chiatamonè. T hen turning tothe dey - 'Your highnesis is now at libertyto leave Napics, if he wishes so (o do,' said the imperturbable functionary with a low bow. 'This very instant!' cried Hussein. 'I will not remain another moment in such a barbarous couniry as yours.'I ■ 'A pleasant journey to your highness, said the minister. ; 'Before an hour had elapsed, the dé liad chartered a small vessel, on board o] i which he embarked the same e.vening with liis suite, his wives and at midnight he set siilj curshig the tyranny that prevented a man from drowning his wife and cutting off the heads oí his sJaves. The next day the minister of pólice had the culpriís brought before hiña and examined. Osmiu was found guilty of havingslep when he ought to have watched, & Zaida ofhavingwatchedwhen shc ought to have slept. But, by some strange omission the Neapolitan code allots no punishment to such oiiences; andconsequently,Osmin and Zaida, to -their infinite astonishment, weré immediately set at liberty. Osmia took to selling pastilles for a Jivelihood, and the lady got employment as dame de compiler in a coíTee-house. As to tho dey, he had left Naples with the intention of going to England, in which country, us he had been informed, a man is at liberty to sell his wife, ff he may not drown. He was taken ill, however, on. the road, ind obliged to stop at Leghorn, where he died.'

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News