Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker.

Date:
1885-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    77/628 (page 53)
    Europeans. THE MODERN EGYPTIANS. payment of taxes, although they derive the whole of their wealth from the country. (9) . Armenians and JEwrs. This section of the community is about as numerous as the last, and in some respects contrasts favourably with it. The Armenians generally possess excellent abilities, and a singular aptitude for learning both Oriental and European languages, which they often acquire with great gram- matical accuracy. Many of them are wealthy goldsmiths and jewel- lers, and they often hold important government offices. The Jews are often distinguishable by their red hair from the native Egyptians, as well as by other characteristics. Most of them are from Palestine, but many have recently immigrated from Wal- lachia. All the money-changers in the streets (sarrdf'), and many of the wealthiest merchants of Egypt, are Jews, and notwithstand- ing the popular prejudice entertained against them, owing as is alleged to their disregard of cleanliness , they now form, thanks to the impartiality of the present government, one of the most highly respected sections of the community. (10) . Europeans. The number of European residents and visitors in Egypt at the census of 1882 was 82,000, exclusive of the British army of occupation. The Greeks are most numerously represented, then the Italians, French, English (including Maltese), Austrians (including many Dalmatians), and Germans. The nu- merous Swiss residents in Egypt, who are not represented by a consul of their own, are distributed among the above leading clas- ses (French, Italian, German). Beside these nationalities, there are also a few representatives of Russia, America, Belgium, Scan- dinavia, and other countries. Each of the above leading natio- nalities shows a preference for one or more particular occupa- tions, in which they sometimes enjoy a complete monopoly. The Greeks of all classes are generally traders. They constitute the aris- tocracy of Alexandria, and the victual-dealers (bakkal) in all the other towns are mostly Greeks. They are the proprietors of the numerous small banks which lend money on good security, both to the peasantry and the government officials, at a rate of interest sometimes amounting to 6 per cent monthly, the maximum per- mitted by law ; and they are the only Europeans who have established themselves permanently as merchants beyond the confines of Egypt proper. The Greeks also have the unenviable notoriety of com- mitting numerous murders, thefts, and other crimes, but it must be borne in mind that they are by far the most numerous section of the European community (35,000 from Greece alone ■, besides many Turkish subjects), and that some 30,000 of them belong to the lowest class of emigrants from an unhappy and ill-conditioned country. Many of these crimes must, moreover, be regarded as the outcome of the sadly misdirected daring and ability which characterise their nation. The superiority of the Greeks to the