GOVERNMENT. 27

CHAPTER III.

GOVERNMENT.

The form of goveniment of Kordofan resem-

bles that of other countries under Egyptian sway,

that is to say, it is despotic ; but the inhabitants

of this province are subjected to particularly severe

oppression, being situate, as we have above ob-

served, at so great a distance from the seat of go-

veniment, that it indeed almost amounts to an

impossibility to proffer a complaint to the first

authorities.

The people feel themselves, therefore, extremely

miserable, the more so since, under the dominion

of Sennaar and Dai'four, neither property nor life

were endangered, as they are at present. The

difference may be deduced from the fact, that, in

former times, nearly all the women wore ornaments

of gold, a metal which is now rarely, or never seen

in the province.

Under the government of Darfour, there were

no taxes, no duties, trade was free, and everywhere

reigned opulence. Now the reverse is observed.

Duties and imposts of every description oppress