66 66 "Roman general, who, without listening to propofals, attacked and vanquished the place; but the young prince escaped by flight. Believing it would be difficult to penetrate farther, he returned to Egypt; carrying with him great wealth, and leaving four hundred men to garrifon Premnis, with ftores and provifions for two years." 66 66 This paffage, Sir, perfectly describes the imbecility of the Egyptians, and Ethiopians, in the Roman times; and they are still the fame. Long flavery has but extinguished the little energy they had; and their ignorance of arms even furpaffes their cowardice. During the alarm which civil war fpread through Grand Cairo, we heard the fix pieces of artillery play from the castle on the city, and obferved that the gunners employed half an hour in loading them; for this was the space of time between each discharge. You will judge, Sir, whether fuch troops could, a moment, withstand a few European regiments. Any warlike nation that should attack Egypt would conquer it, without impediment, and Ethiopia, with equal facility; after which, masters mafters of their gold and their waters, they might fend the Nile, at pleasure, through Egypt, where they might maintain inexhauftible plenty. I have the honour to be, &c. LETTER LETTER XV. ON THE MARRIAGES OF THE Marriage a church-ceremony among Chriftians, and indiffoluble. The Legislature of Arabia, guided by cufiom, and on the authority of the Patriarchs, has permitted divorces, but has fixed bounds to the caprice of men. Mar riage ceremonies obferved by Mahometans and Copts. To M. L. M. Grand Cairo. MARRIAGE, among Christians, is a holy rite, and indiffoluble. Laws, in certain cafes, fufpend, but do not annihilate its effects; wherefore, is is neceffary the parties fhould perfectly know each other, and that their wills fhould be free, fince their own happiness, and that of their children, depend on this knowledge, and this freedom.. Oriental manners, fo different from European, have obliged legiflators to render wedlock a less permanent permanent contract. Here the two fexes live feparate, and never converse together. How then can a young man and maiden, who have not seen each other, fwear inviolable faith and love? Such an oath, exposing them to perjury, would but be a fource of diforder. Mahomet, well acquainted with the heart of man, and authorized by the Patriarchs, has permitted repudiation. After endeavouring to prevent it, by prescribing that refpect, that tenderness, which ought to be the fupreme pleasure of husband and wife, he adds, "Those who fhall fwear never "more to have commerce with their wives "fhall wait four months (q), during which "if they return to them, the Lord is kind " and merciful.-If divorce be still determined " on, God fees and knows all things." This, Sir, authorizes repudiation, but leaves God the judge of its lawfulness. In the continuation of this chapter, which is an abridgment of the laws of Mahomet, the (q) When a Mahometan fwears never more to know his wife, four months delay are granted him, during which he may reconcile himfelf to her, but if the time be paft he must put her from him. She is free, and may marry another. Koran, chap. 2. legislature legislature endeavours to prescribe bounds to the fickleness of man. A muffulman may affigning her a portion, according to his fubftance. If he wishes to part from her, he fends for the judge, declares in his prefence, he puts her from him, and, when the four months of probation are expired, he returns the wealth fhe brought, and the portion ftipulated in the marriage contract. If they have children, the husband detains the boys, and the wife takes away the girls; after which they become free, and may marry elsewhere. Wives are not subjected, as is fuppofed in Europe, to eternal flavery; having real caufe of complaint, they implore protection from the laws, and break their chains: but, in this case, they lose their portion, and the wealth they brought to the houfe of the hufband, though they recover their liberty. not take a wife without A Mahometan fometimes fwears, without fufficient reafon, never more to know his wife; but, repenting, he may be reconciled to her, without the mediation of the Cadi. The law-giver, in the following verfe, has fet bounds to this caprice. "He, who thrice "fhall repudiate one woman, may not re"claim 3 |