individuals. Moreover, the plan was almost
certain to split on the rock of the Khedive's
personal character. Like Virgil's Drances, he
was "seditione potens." He was a master of
petty intrigue and was so wedded to tortuous
courses that he was incapable of steadfastly
pursuing for long any really loyal and straight-
forward course of action. I have a strong con-
viction, based on conversations which I held
with Sir Eldon Gorst shortly before his tragically
premature death, that his honeymoon with the
Khedive, which is a very common episode when
Englishmen are first brought into close contact
with Orientals of the type of Abbas II., was
approaching its close. I should add in justice
to the Khedive that he showed some degree of
genuine gratitude for the consideration with
which Sir Eldon Gorst had treated him. When
he learnt that Sir Eldon was stricken with an
incurable disease, he hastened incognito to
England in order to visit him and express his
sympathy. It is the best act I have ever heard
of his performing. Much may be forgiven him
for the real feeling which he displayed on this
occasion.

As to the governing capacity of the Egyptian
Ministers and their subordinates, a steady im-
provement had been going on for a quarter of a
century. A very fair standard of honesty and

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