24 GESSI PASHA.

. . He has just arrived, looking much older. Having arranged with him for the future of Bahr Gazelle, I am now starting for Khartoum. He is going back to follow up Sebehr’s son. . . . He is very much gratified at having been made a Pasha, with the second class of Oomanlie, and with my gift, 7.¢., Soudan’s gift of £2,000.

In July, 1879, Gordon left the Soudan after the deposition of the Khedive Ismail. His work against the Slave-dealers was ably carried

on by his officers, Gessi Pasha, Emin Bey, Lupton Bey, and others ; and a very considerable success was obtained. After Gessi Pasha’s tragic death in 1881, the Slave-dealers again had it pretty much their own way. The result we all know in the revolt headed by the Mahdi.

It can scarcely be said that the delay in sending General Gordon to the Soudan has been owing to any lack of warning on the part of those best qualified to judge. In March of last year the writer of this paper published the following extract of a letter from Khartoum, forwarded to him from Egypt by the celebrated African traveller, Dr. Schweinfurth :

‘The Europeans at Khartoum appear to be anxious for the re-appointment of His Excellency Gordon Pasha, as Governor-General ; thgy believe, rightly or wrongly, that he is the only man capable of crushing the rebellion. Our corres- pondentalso says that a large number of the most influential natives hold the same opitiien ; and confirms the statement that Gordon Pasha was the most popular and beloved Governor-General that ever ruled the Soudan, and that a lively recollection of the wisdom and firmness which he displayed during his tenure of office, is cherished by all classes of the population of Egypt’s distant and troublesome dependency.”

Some weeks ago, an eminent person, well known in the philan- thropic world, forwarded to the writer the following enthusiastic and fervent appeal, respecting the sending out of General Gordon to the Soudan (he was at that time living at Jaffa, the ancient Joppa) :—

“Would that an angel would stand at Earl Granville’s side and say unto him, ‘And now send men to Joppa, and call for one,—-Gordon: . . . ‘heshall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.’” ®

The “angel” has appeared—in the form of Vow Populi—and Gordon has told them them what they ought to do! Will they do it? After Colonel Gordon left the Soudan he undertook a mission to the court of the King of Abyssinia. This mission was one of extreme personal danger and difficulty, and was undertaken purely from a feeling of good nature. The terms offered to King John were such as were not likely to please that irascible monarch ; and it is tolerably certain that it was only the coolness and courage of the envoy that prevented the king from carrying out his threat of executing him. A rather sensational account had been printed of Gordon having