But Syria Was
No Field For Contests Strictly Asiatic.
Europe was involved, and
though the heavy masses of Egyptian troops, clinging with strong
grip to the land, might
Seem to hold it fast, yet every peasant
practically felt, and knew, that in Vienna or Petersburg or London
there were four or five pale-looking men who could pull down the
star of the Pasha with shreds of paper and ink. The people of the
country knew, too, that Mehemet Ali was strong with the strength of
the Europeans - strong by his French general, his French tactics,
and his English engines. Moreover, they saw that the person, the
property, and even the dignity of the humblest European was guarded
with the most careful solicitude. The consequence of all this was,
that the people of Syria looked vaguely, but confidently, to Europe
for fresh changes. Many would fix upon some nation, France or
England, and steadfastly regard it as the arriving sovereign of
Syria. Those whose minds remained in doubt equally contributed to
this new state of public opinion, which no longer depended upon
religion and ancient habits, but upon bare hopes and fears. Every
man wanted to know, not who was his neighbour, but who was to be
his ruler; whose feet he was to kiss, and by whom HIS feet were to
be ultimately beaten. Treat your friend, says the proverb, as
though he were one day to become your enemy, and your enemy as
though he were one day to become your friend.
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