Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

1^6 TRAVELS IN ASIATIC TURKEY,
ters the plague still prevailed .with great violence in the camp at
El-Arish.
The festival of the Biram, which commenced on the 13th, on
the completion of the 7 urkish Hamazun, or Lent, and the cele-
bration of winch was to last during three
days, was announced by
the Vizier by the
discharge
of several rounds of
artillery, accompanied
by frequent discharges of musketry throughout the whole
extent of the camp. In tne evening brilliant illuminations were
displayed.
On the above festive occasion, the whole of the following day,
the 14th, was spent by the great officers of state, and other lurks,
in making visits of ceremony, and in demonstrating, in every pos-
sible way, the joy they felt at being no longer subjected to the pe-
nalties of the Bam&zan, or fast.
In a benice, or entertainment, which the Vizier commanded for
the 15th, he was accompanied by all his principal officers of state,
and by at least one thousand persons, who joined in the cavalcade.
The troops, whose numbers appealed to have been latterly much
augmented, were drawn up in a line; and a tent pitched, in which
the Vizier, the principal Turkish officers, Colonel Holloway, and
Major IJcpe, were seated. A djerid party having been assembled,
upwards of fifiy combatants on each side supported the different attacks
with
great spirit, agility, and address.
Unfortunately, one
of them received so serious a hurt, that he was obliged to be car-
ried off the field. Jn this military exercise, into a concise explanation
of which I have already entered, it sometimes happens that
one of the opponents, in riding full speed after the other, lances
his stick, or wand, with such force and adroitness, that the latter,
however dexterous he may be, is unable either to lay hold of it,
or to par'-y off the blow. In such a case he is inevitably struck
with so much violence, as to be
obliged
to have recourse to cupping,
to relieve himself from the effects of the severe bruises he has
received. In this it way was that the Vizie: some years
before unfonunately
lost an eye, which was beaten out by one of his own
attendants. To this
unlucky circumstance 1 adverted, when 1
gave,
in the preceding pages, a description of this distinguished person-
age ; Luc 1 did not relate an anecdote which resulted from the accide
t, and which, as it clearly indicates a humane and feeling dis-
position, such as, it is to be regretted, few Turks possess, is a trait
in the Vizier's character which ought to be recorded. He sent,
on the following day, for the individual by whom he had been