Sat March 18. [18 March 1911] Called on the Nakib at 9 and found him
very much mamnun. He declares the evils sprang rather from the
Pasha's advisors than from himself. He is a soldier and knows
nothing of government. Yusef Pasha is also a soldier and knows as
little, but he is strong. He then explained to me the Moham. religion
and how no one looks on the Prophet as God nor worships Mecca
[Makkah]. The Hajj was instituted that Moslems far scattered might
come to know each other - in days when communications were more
difficult than they are now. He told me the legend of the Hajj road
Derb Zubeida and said the tanks[?] exist still (but most between Hail
and Mecca) but the wall, by which the blind cd find his way, is gone.
He told a story of the Deleim: a Deleim sheikh was deeply in love with
his bint 'amm and at length the uncle was persuaded to let him have
her. She also loved him deeply. Then broke out a war with another
tribe. The women as is the custom followed behind the fighters to
tend the wounded and bury the dead. When they came to the
Euphrates she met the dead body of her husband and in despair
threw herself into the river. She was fished out and at that moment
came the news of the victory of the Deleim. In spite of her despair she
broke into the Halhal. I called on Nazim but found him nanu[?]. The
Lanzonis lunched. He declares Nazim wished to found a kingdom
here which is rubbish. Mr L. [Lorimer] says he is perfectly muddly as
to money and keeps no accounts and is leaving her in debt. He does
not embezzle the public funds indeed it is possible that money may
be owing to him. But his underlings have certainly put something in
their pockets. Some of them were holding 5 posts at once. Mr L and I
steamed up the river and then called on Sir W. Willcocks whom we
found as happy as a boy. His work near done, Nazim gone! But he
always spoke of him as "that stout hearted old chap" and bore no
malice. He has just thought of a new scheme for using the Nahrwan
although his plans are finished! A man child will be born into the world
with them he says. When he was driven mad by Nazim he consoled
himself by reading God's Good Man. Nazim made him give up
£20000 of the money allocated to the survey[?] which he used for
motor boats etc. Then came to dinner the Hesses, the Herrles, and
Orloff (Russian Consul). Also Dr Johnson and his wife a nice woman.
Most of the Consuls are busy regretting Nazim but Orloff is a man and
is glad he is gone.