BLACK SOLDIERS. 167 climate and skirmishes have carried off almost all the Arabs of Egypt and Syria that were in it. Those still alive are old, worn-out invalids, as nothing but total uselessness, such as blindness, the loss of a leg or arm, releases these unfortunates from the service lameness, the loss of one eye, the want of three or four fingers of the hand, is a matter of no consequence. Often have we heard Achmet Pascha express the wish that all his regiments, officers excepted, were composed of blacks ; and he is in the right for service in Bellad-Sudan. They are not affected by sickness and the influence of climate as the others, suffer liardships without murmuring, quickly and cheerfully obey all orders, and can subsist on the worst food, in the smallest quantities, a little durra daily satisfying them. Besides, their courage is good, even though they may not possess the same bravery as soldiers who fight for parents, wife, children, and country, or who are spurred on by honour still they go on to the spot they are ordered, fight their way, and many of them, especially those from the mountains of the upper parts of Faszogl, fear death little, if at all. In the Morea, the body-guard of Ibrahim Pascha, composed of 500 blacks, more than once distinguished themselves above his other forces. Once a hill held by the enemy was to be taken ; twice did the Egyptians advance to the attack and fiil ; Ibraliim now sent his blacks, who at once took by storm the important point. Hardly could such things be expected from men wlio are first forcibly made slaves, and then soldiers. A greater part of them certainly feel unhappy in their lot, more than one would suppose in these rude men; and many die from home-sickness, as we saw in Chartum— a disease which, once attacking, proves fatal. But as many, also, are not sensible of the misery of their existence, or the wretched life they pass as Egvptian soldiers, the state of their former lot may be guessed. They are stolen as children, have been slaves, and feel themselves freer as soldiers, and, at least, considered as men ; while those they have left behind them, as they know, live in the saddest state, almost like cattle, often exposed to starvation, and always to slavery, from the repeated wars among themselves. Formerly without clothing" they now are proud of their dress, cap, arms, and that they, as soldiers inspire others