GORDON'S PRESENT JOURNEY TO THE SOUDAN. 25

seized a chair and placed it on a level with the king’s throne, but the

writer has his authority for stating that this never occurred: in his own simple language he said, “it would have been both rude and

foolish.” He says that the story must have arisen from his having told the king’s interpreter that he did not fear him, for ‘“‘ The king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord, as the rivers of water :

‘He turneth it whithersoever He will.’ ”’

He also told the king that death would be a great blessing to him personally, and that therefore he did not fear it.

Of General Gordon’s subsequent history little need be said. The unfortunate error of judgment which allowed him to be so over- persuaded as to consent to accept the post of Secretary to Lord Ripon, Viceroy of India, caused much remark at the time. Those who knew General Gordon, feeling sure that a man of his nature and strength of character could never tolerate such a position, did not share the

feeling of wonder with which the news of his sudden resignation was received by the public. This resignation was immediately followed by a self-imposed mission to China, which resulted in the conclusion of terms of peace between that country and Russia. Thus for the second time China has been deeply indebted to the exertions of General Gordon.

On his return from China he consented to undertake a military command in Mauritius, mainly to oblige a fellow-officer. ‘ His mission to the Cape Colony was a disappointment. Mr. Hake

calls it, “his first failure.” .We can all heartily join in the prayer that it may be his las¢.

Gorpon’s PRESENT JOURNEY TO THE SOUDAN.

On the 16th of the present month the writer saw General Gordon

enter the train at Charing Cross, to start on his intended journey to the Congo, via Brussels. Not more than three or four persons witnessed his departure—one of these being his own and Livingstone’s

old friend, the Rev. Horace Waller, who accompanied him to Dover. Two days afterwards Gordon again left Charing Cross, having been summoned from Brussels by a telegraphic order the very day he arrived there. In a few hours, he had made all his arrangements with the Government—his own personal requirements appear to be almost nil—and he left for Egypt and the Soudan by the Indian Mail.

January, 1884.