CHINESE GORDON, K.E., C.B.

By CHAS. H. ALLEN, F.R.G.S.,

Secretary of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.

90 De ee

THE voice of the people, spoken in no uncertain tone, through count-

less organs of the press, has at length prevailed; and the whole . civilized world breathes more freely because Chinese Gordon is now ° speeding over land and sea, as fast as steam could carry him, in order to try and restore order in the Soudan, and to undo the mischief wrought by months of incapacity and hesitation.

It is devoutly to be hoped that he will not arrive too late upon the scene of his former glorious labours, though it seems strange to any one—not a Cabinet Minister—that he was not called from his retreat months ago. He has been living in Palestine during the past year, and might, at any time, have been relegated to the Soudan at. a mo- ment’s notice. However we will hope that, even now, the magic of

his name will turn the scale with many of the powerful chieftains of that country who may be wavering in their allegiance, and that on his arrival he will find himself at the head of a large body of devoted followers.

Many persons may be asking themselves, ‘‘ Who is Chinese Gor- don? and why is he the only man whose presence can save the Soudan ?”